Well, apparently the news involving sportier Renaults aren't all bad, since the French have confirmed the resurrection of the Gordini brand. Probably as a compensation to all those bitter Alpine fans. Whatever the reason behind this decision, CAR says it's official, and even quoted Renault's global marketing director Stephen Norman. Norman said that Renault has been technically forced by the economic downturn to kill the funds for the resurrection of Alpine with a stand-alone coupe.
"But Alpine is one of two sports car brands Renault owns," he said. "Think of the possibility of sporty Renaults with steps up like the Mini Cooper and Cooper S."
Positioned to sit above the current Renaultsport division of hot-hatches, the revived Gordini models will of course sport the traditional blue color and two withe stripes on one side of their bonnets. Stephen Norman also said that the first model to feature the Gordini badge again will be the Twingo in 2010, followed by the Clio and the Megane Coupe.
He also insisted that the cars will be extensively modified and clients will get more than a baby-blue colors, two white racing stripes and some pretty badges. The cars will most likely be manufactured at Renault's Dieppe plant, where the Renaultsport wizards are currently tinkering with the RS models. Coincidentally, the same factory in Dieppe is also were Alpine's headquarters used to reside.
The only question remaining is if the current Renaultsport models will be a bit diluted to make room for Gordini, or if the blue and white cars will be the truly special cars in the lineup. The last model to sport the Gordini badge was the Renault 17 coupe, which had its mechanical based on the Renault 12 sedan.
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