PARIS — Renault in Europe is resurrecting a brand familiar to generations of French enthusiasts. The Gordini label, used initially on Formula 1 and Le Mans racing cars and later on sporty Renault production cars, will be revived on special editions of the compact Clio and Twingo.
The French automaker said it would use the Gordini badge to supplement its Renault Sport range, starting with the introduction later this month of the Twingo Gordini RS, to be followed next spring by the Clio Gordini RS.
Renault previously used the Gordini brand on a variety of production cars, including the R8, the R12 and the R17.
The brand's namesake, Amédée Gordini, cut his racing teeth with Maserati and Fiat and later with Simca before switching his allegiance to Renault, which eventually acquired his company.
Inside Line says: Le Sorcier, a native of Bologna, no doubt would be amused by the irony of seeing his name applied to French economy cars. — Paul Lienert, Correspondent
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