Renault revived the Gordini name at the end of 2009, when it presented the Twingo Gordini RS. Other members of the Gordini family include the Twingo Gordini and more recently, the Wind Gordini, which premiered at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
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Instead of thoroughly re-engineering the Gordini-badged model, the French company has simply tweaked the Renaultsport Clio's appearance. Aside from the twin white racing stripes on the bonnet, roof and tailgate, the Gordini treatment includes glossy black bumper parts, white mirrors and unique 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and black inner rim.
To the disappointment of Gordini fans, the treatment is essentially a styling package. On the outside, the Clio Gordini RS features a Malta Blue bodywork embellished by two hallmark white stripes, black 17-inch alloys, gloss black highlights on the front bumper and rear diffuser plus mirror housings and F1-style front bib finished in white.
Additional cosmetic upgrades include a white front bumper insert, white rear spoiler and exterior mirrors, and white racing stripes on the sides and the rooftop, plus tinted rear windows and tailgate.
The sporty theme continues on the inside, with all Clio S models featuring 'S' embossed upholstery with white seams, leather steering wheel and a white finish for the centre console, dashboard inserts and instrument dials.
All Clio S models are based on Expression trim level with buyers having a choice of three engines, a 1.2-liter petrol with 75HP, a 1.2-liter turbo with 100HP and a 1.5-liter diesel with 86HP.
Pricing for the new Clio S versions range between £11,209 for the 1.2 16V and £13,458 for the 1.5 dCi 86 A/C. Buyers have a choice of four colors including Glacier White, Pearl Black, Capsicum Red and Extreme Blue.
Everybody knows that taking part in rallies isn’t a cheap sport. With that in mind, Renault decided to introduce a new entry-level version of its Renault Sport Clio R3 Maxi called Access that has been developed for customers wishing to compete in tarmac rallying. The Clio R3 Access shares many of the Maxi's basic features, including a full roll-cage incorporating, a six-speed sequential gearbox and limited slip differential as well as the steering rack and the Magneti-Marelli ECU which incorporates the data acquisition system. -Continued
Power comes from a slightly revised version of the road-going Clio Renaultsport 197’s 2.0-liter engine that develops peak power of 200HP and features a specific camshaft and exhaust manifold, while the flywheel is the same as that seen on the Maxi version.
The Clio Renault Sport R3 Access uses the same suspension of the standard car with strengthened struts and specific kinematics for the independent steering axis front suspension. The one-piece aluminium alloy 17-inch Speedline wheels and Michelin 19/62-17 tyres are identical to those of Clio Renaultsport R3 Maxi as is the Sabelt safety equipment
The Clio Renault Sport R3 Access kit, including all the specific parts to be fitted to the car, comes at a pre-tax price of €32,600 in France while according to Renault, the cost of competing is estimated to be €17 per kilometre.
The last model was produced in a one-off colour of Glacier White and it will be given to a member of the Community section of Renaultsport.co.uk site, James Brookes. According to Renault, Brookes is a keen owner of a Clio Renaultsport 172 Cup and wanted a 197 F1 Team R27. His family were all passionate Renaultsport enthusiasts; his brother Will with a Clio and his father Steve working at the Renault Dealership Wests of Bedford. Tragically Will passed away in an accident in September and David Lee, a friend of the family, approached Renault through the Community section to see if a one-off car could be produced for James in memory of his brother. Renaultsport was pleased to help and the very last R27 was built in the one-off colour.
The Clio for James is being delivered this month though Wests of Bedford. James said, “I am overwhelmed by all the support that has been given to make this happen and would like to say special thanks to all at Renault. In particular, I’d like to say thank you to my friend David Lee who put the idea to Renault in the first place. This is a very special car, built in memory of a very special person and it will be enjoyed as he would have wished.”