Renault brings out Clio Gordini as Clio GT replacement

Fiat has Abarth, Mercedes has AMG and Renault has Gordini – once third-party tuners who have been brought in-house. Gordini was once an independent company that competed in Formula 1 during the 50s. In the 60s, it started using modified Renaults for sports car racing. Eventually, Renault bought the company outright. In 2009, Renault unveiled the Twingo RS Gordini, a hot hatch version of its tiny Twingo making 133hp. Now Renault is ready to show off its second new Gordini model, the slightly less hot Renault Clio Gordini. 

Meant to replace the current Clio GT, the new Clio Gordini will slot between the standard Clio and Renault Sport Clio. It will be offered in three door and five door versions. The Gordini can be equipped with either a 1.6l 16 valve four-cylinder that makes 128hp or a 1.5l diesel that makes 105hp. 

Clio Gordinis also come with a host of standard features. On the outside the cars will have white Gordini stripes over the bonnet, roof and rear; as well as white mirrors. The cars also come with 16in alloy wheels, twin exhaust tips, body colored front splitter and rear spoiler, and fog lights. On the inside the cars get a leather trimmed steering wheel, sport pedals, Gordini badged floor mats, TomTom navigation and cruise control.

Prices for the Clio Gordini start at €18,450 for the petrol-powered three door or €19,050 for the five door. Diesel models start at €20,750 for the three door and top out at €21,350 for the five door. Orders for the car begin in France on July 18, 2011, and will roll out across Europe through the summer and fall.