I have been driving the great Renaultsport Clio 200 complete with a genuine designer label attached.
The question is, does this already brilliant little hot hatch really need the Gordini treatment (and the inevitable higher price tag)?
Walk into any Renault dealer with £16,810 in your pocket and you will leave a very happy person should you opt for a Clio 200 Cup.
Deliriously happy in fact because the Renaultsport Clio 200 is a fabulous car that offers endless amounts of grip, no torque steer and sack loads of fun. But to have this same car with the Gordini styling will cost you an extra £2,940
The question is, does this already brilliant little hot hatch really need the Gordini treatment (and the inevitable higher price tag)?
Walk into any Renault dealer with £16,810 in your pocket and you will leave a very happy person should you opt for a Clio 200 Cup.
Deliriously happy in fact because the Renaultsport Clio 200 is a fabulous car that offers endless amounts of grip, no torque steer and sack loads of fun. But to have this same car with the Gordini styling will cost you an extra £2,940
Before choke on that lump in your throat, let me tell you a bit about the man behind the stripy skin.
Amédée Gordini, nicknamed 'Le Sorcier' (The Sorcerer), competed in Formula One from 1950 to 1956. He then went onto work with Renault as an engine tuner and finally sold his firm to Renault which entered Renault-Gordini cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1962 until 1969.
All of a sudden the price hike sounds a whole lot more interesting doesn't it?
The two white stripes embody passion and performance, while the 17 inch wheels with polished faces and black inserts, the Glacier White wing mirror housings and the F1 style front blade all offer a sophisticated contrast.
With its rear body-coloured spoiler and gloss black rear diffuser, the sporty character of the Clio Gordini 200 is clear for all to see.
The engine is smooth too, yet powerful, taking the car from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. With this is mind an overall fuel consumption of nearly 35mpg is very acceptable.
There is no turbo or supercharger but overtaking is not a problem - simply take great delight in using the super slick six-speed gear box and rev the French pocket rocket all the way to 7,000 rpm.
If it's raw power alone you are looking for then you will of course find faster cars on the market, but what you will struggle to find is a hot hatch that handles as well as the Gordini.
The distinctive design continues inside the Clio too.
Comfortable and supportive blue and grey leather seats make driving long distances all the more pleasurable, while going Gordini ticks pretty much every box on the Clio's equipment list, adding keyless entry and go, auto lights and wipers and Renault's best stereo package.
The only remaining gadget options are an integrated TomTom sat-nav (£460), which works brilliantly, and Renaultsport Monitor (£200), a digital unit that provides lap times, engine data and real-time G-force, power and torque figures.
The Renaultsport Clio 200 is a great car; the Renaultsport Clio 200 Gordini is a great car that stands out in a crowd. Either way you will find them both a pleasure to drive.
But if it's the latter you want then be quick. Renault are only making 500 of this limited edition vehicle, with each carrying an engraved plate showing the build number (the one I had on test was number two).
By Richard Jones
Amédée Gordini, nicknamed 'Le Sorcier' (The Sorcerer), competed in Formula One from 1950 to 1956. He then went onto work with Renault as an engine tuner and finally sold his firm to Renault which entered Renault-Gordini cars at the 24 Hours of Le Mans from 1962 until 1969.
All of a sudden the price hike sounds a whole lot more interesting doesn't it?
The two white stripes embody passion and performance, while the 17 inch wheels with polished faces and black inserts, the Glacier White wing mirror housings and the F1 style front blade all offer a sophisticated contrast.
With its rear body-coloured spoiler and gloss black rear diffuser, the sporty character of the Clio Gordini 200 is clear for all to see.
The engine is smooth too, yet powerful, taking the car from 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds with a top speed of 140mph. With this is mind an overall fuel consumption of nearly 35mpg is very acceptable.
There is no turbo or supercharger but overtaking is not a problem - simply take great delight in using the super slick six-speed gear box and rev the French pocket rocket all the way to 7,000 rpm.
If it's raw power alone you are looking for then you will of course find faster cars on the market, but what you will struggle to find is a hot hatch that handles as well as the Gordini.
The distinctive design continues inside the Clio too.
Comfortable and supportive blue and grey leather seats make driving long distances all the more pleasurable, while going Gordini ticks pretty much every box on the Clio's equipment list, adding keyless entry and go, auto lights and wipers and Renault's best stereo package.
The only remaining gadget options are an integrated TomTom sat-nav (£460), which works brilliantly, and Renaultsport Monitor (£200), a digital unit that provides lap times, engine data and real-time G-force, power and torque figures.
The Renaultsport Clio 200 is a great car; the Renaultsport Clio 200 Gordini is a great car that stands out in a crowd. Either way you will find them both a pleasure to drive.
But if it's the latter you want then be quick. Renault are only making 500 of this limited edition vehicle, with each carrying an engraved plate showing the build number (the one I had on test was number two).
By Richard Jones
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