Renault have just revealed the Clio Cordini 200 at this week’s Geneva Motor Show. The Clio is the second car in the Renaultsport range to get the Gordini treatment and it follows exactly the same recipe as the Twingo Gordini.
So how do you make a Clio Gordini 200?
- Start off with a standard Renaultsport Clio 200 and then paint it Malta Blue
- Add some white stripes along the roof and bonnet
- Paint some of the plastic trim in gloss white
- Stick on some new 17-inch diamond-effect alloys with black inserts
- Replace the interior upholstery with blue and black leather and add some gloss black dashboard trim
That’s it, you now have a sporty French hot hatch with a dash of luxury. The performance from the 2.0-litre is the same as the standard Clio 200 with 200bhp and 215Nm of torque, meaning 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds. The Renaultsport chassis is also retained with a choice of standard setup or stiffer Cup settings, guaranteeing plenty of fun if you feel like taking the long way home.
Should you not like the Malta Blue (I do) there are three other exterior colours available – Pearlescent Black, Glacier White and Pearlescent White. Not sure what happens with the white stripes if you go for white paint, I’d assume they’re replaced with another colour but surely that wouldn’t be in keeping with the Gordini look.
However, I’m still feeling that same sense of disappointment as I had with the Twingo Gordini. I’d been hoping that the resurrection of the Gordini badge would bring a dash of extra performance to the Renaultsport range, something a bit more track-day oriented. Never mind, I’m sure I’ll come to terms with that, because the Clio Gordini is bound to be a corker.
There are no official prices yet for the Clio Gordini 200 but it is expected to go on sale this summer.