Renault revives the Gordini name for exclusive line of hot hatches.

[EJ25RUN]

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Autoblog

If you were one of the French hot hatch enthusiasts who was disappointed by this week's news that Peugeot was getting out of the game, take heart – rival automaker Renault has announced a new line of what it does best, while reviving a long-dormant historic nameplate in the process.

Named after Renault racing engineer extraordinaire Amédée Gordini, the Gordini badge became a symbol of success for the French automaker. The iconic R8 Gordini (pictured at right) dominated rallying in the mid-Sixties and gave birth to its own one-mark series with the Renault 1300 Gordini. Four decades later, Renault is bringing the name back for an exclusive new line of hot hatches.

Positioned above the existing Renaultsport lineup, the Gordini range will be mechanically identical to its RS counterparts, but distinguish themselves with retro styling touches (like French racing blue paint scheme with white stripes) and an extra dose of exclusivity. The first product in the new range, the Twingo Gordini RS (teased above), is slated to be unveiled at L'Atelier Renault – the company's flagship store on the Champs Elysées in Paris – on November 25 before its market launch next spring. Gordini edition Clio and Megane are slated to follow suite, all decked out in the sub-brand's iconic French racing blue with white racing stripes.

Click on the thumbnails below for a mega gallery of Gordini archive photos, or follow the jump to check out a Gordini video chock-full of historic footage. And while you're back there, you can read the full press release, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-l8XYRS1xU

[5speed]

Nice, I always thought those were a little odd looking but like them none the less.

[EJ25RUN]

Nice, I always thought those were a little odd looking but like them none the less.

I feel these are the French's Mini Cooper since the 2CV is not in any way a drivers car.

[dorin48]

So its an RS with paint, stickers, and a higher price... yay.