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Boasting one of the longest names in the auto biz, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport marks the revival of the Gordini badge that will soon find its place on all RenaultSport products. Despite the sporty heritage of Gordini, these models will not carry any engine or chassis upgrades with improvements limited to the cars' styling. Now, what's the French word for 'lame'?

The first Gordini product is based on the Renault's pocket-rocket, the Twingo RenaultSport 133 that's powered by a 1.6-liter four-pot with 133 horsepower.



On the outside, the upmarket Gordini is distinguished by the traditional blue metallic finish with two white racing stripes. A closer look reveals that the bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog lamp surrounds, exterior door mirror housings and rear tailgate spoiler are trimmed in a contrasting white finish.

A set of 17-inch alloy wheels with a polished face and a choice of the inner rim finished in either blue or black complete the exterior package.

Moving on into the cabin, Renault says that the sport seats are now trimmed in blue and black leather with the same colors making their appearance on the door panel inserts, leather steering wheel and instrument panel..

Furthermore, there's a blue gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearlever knob and a leather trimmed dashboard cowl.

Along with the styling additions, the Renault Twingo Gordini RenaultSport gains extra standard equipment including automatic climate-control, automatic headlamp activation, automatic wiper activation, cruise control, fully disconnectable ESP and an upgraded MP3 audio system.

The first Gordini model will make its physical debut on January 10 at the Atelier Renault on the Champs-Elysées, with sales set to begin across Europe in March.

Having already confirmed the production versions of the Twizy and Zoe Z.E. electric concept cars, Renault today announced that the third member of its new family of EVs, the all-electric Fluence sedan, which was also presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show this past September, will be manufactured at the OYAK-Renault Bursa plant in Turkey. The French automaker said that it plans to launch the Fluence EV first in Israel and Denmark, followed by other countries, from the first half of 2011.

Evidently, the electric saloon will be based on the recently launched Fluence sedan, but it is unclear if Renault will spice up the looks of the car in the same way it did with the Frankfurt Show concept model.



Renault said that owners of the electric Fluence will have three battery charge options: standard charge, rapid charge and a 'QuickDrop' battery exchange that allows that removal and replacement of the batteries in a mere three minutes.

We don't have any details on the vehicle's specs yet, but it is safe to assume that the production model will be powered by the same 95HP electric motor found in the concept car.

On Friday, the company Renault has confirmed its plans for mass production of two electric vehicles, built on the explanation of the concept cars ultra Twizy ZE and a small compartment Zoe ZE, tells the magazine Autocar. Production of the first one in 2011, will be established at the Spanish plant in the city of Valladolid, and the second - in France, a year later.

It is expected that the French Renault factory in the town of Flaine become a kind of center for the development programs of the company to produce to the market of compact electric - at this facility will meet the key models of electric vehicles, as well as to production and processing of batteries used in the propulsion machinery. In "Reno" suggest that the model Zoe will have two-thirds of the total European sales of electric vehicles.

As previously reported, the concept car Renault Zoe ZE equipped with 95-horsepower electric motor, receiving energy from lithium-ion batteries. These batteries provide a vehicle movement over 160 kilometers, and their charge from household electrical outlet will take from four to eight hours. Compact car Twizy ZE were equipped electric power of 20 horsepower and can travel without recharging about 100 kilometers. Maximum speed of the prototype was 75 kilometers per hour.



We note that on Friday, the alliance Renault-Nissan has also negotiated with the Atomic Energy Commission and the Strategic Investment Fund, the French agreement of intent to establish a joint venture that will investigate, the transfer of industrial production and recycling of batteries for electric vehicles. Renault plans to produce batteries at plants in France, Britain and Portugal.

by AutoNews