Twingo Renaultsport R2 Launched

How timely is that. Just a few days after seeing Clarkson drove the Twingo 133 Cup around Belfast in his “normal” road test, Renault announces a rally car based on the car.

Meet the Twingo Renaultsport R2. Consider it a Twingo 133 Cup on ritalin. The Twingo’s 1.6L engine has been tuned to dish out 158 bhp – 37 more than its standard output. The torque ECU has been tweaked so that the torque’s accessible at lower revs.

The engine’s mated to a five-speed sequential gearbox and a ZF limited-slip diff has also been slapped on to cope with some sideways action.For added safety, the car also gets a roll cage and two protective tubes slapped on the body shell.

The car’s also fitted with adjustable shock absorvers and ventilated brake discs at the front.

The R1 can be used to compete even in international rallies aimed at teams looking for a low-budget car for such competition. R2 upgrades will be availbale by April next year.

Gordini tuned Renault cars in the 1960s and the name will be making a comeback 40 years after and will be attached to the Twingo Renaultsport.

The badge does come with modificafications to the standard RS car. Outside, buyers can now opt for either metallic blue or black paint and racing stripes. Even the fog lamps get a white accents around them. The car also now sits atop 17-inch alloys with inner rims that match the paint job.

Inside, the car gets sports seats, a leather steering with option to match either the blue or black paint job, and a leather dash. To top it off, the gearknob is stamped with the Gordini badge.

The Gordini will be used for a series of Renault hot hatches pretty much like how Fiat uses Abarth to mark the souped up versions of their cars. A Clio Gordini is expected next year and a Megane Gordini is among talks.

Hot hatches have become really popular so a special badge would probably help Renault rival Fiat and its Abarth badge.