Wind-gat Renault roadster revealed

Published Feb 1, 2011

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Renault made a good call by reviving the Gordini nameplate recently, the legendary racing moniker proudly adorning the performance cream of the French marque's small car range.

Now joining the Clio RS, Twingo and Twingo RS Gordini models is a fourth contender that could also prove the most controversial.

Being a really small coupe-roadster with a folding hardtop, the Renault Wind could be considered too much of a poser's car to be taken seriously as a performance model. But then, Renault has seemingly done a good job of transforming the Twingo from a boutique hatch into a decent boy racer machine in Gordini form, so perhaps there is hope for the Wind Gordini, which is still under consideration for the South African market.

Strangely, the information pack on the Wind Gordini did not contain any information about the engine fitted to it, but further probing reveals that the range-topping Wind is powered by the same 98kW/160Nm 1.6-litre engine as the Twingo RS - so fitting that to the Gordini would have been a no-brainer.

The Gordini upgrade, then, is all about aesthetics, its exterior shod with 17-inch black diamond alloy wheels, Malta blue bodywork with the two white stripes, Glacier

white door mirrors, grille trim and rear wing, and a glossy black roof.

The cabin's received its fair share of Gordini magic too, with bespoke black and blue leather upholstery, blue and white door straps, a blue leather steering wheel with white stripes at the top, and a gear lever with a leather gaiter and metal knob with the Gordini name.

Of course, the latest batch of Gordinis is aimed at a very different target market to that of its forebears, as Renault explains: "Just as Gordini drivers of the 1960s and 1970s flashed their headlamps as a sign of recognition when they met on the road, so the modern Gordini community meets up on the social networks."

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