Except the Renaultsport 200 can be had for much less, with online brokers such as Broadspeed and Carfile knocking at least £2,000 off list, which indicates what kind of discounts are available. Whether such reductions will also apply to the limited edition Gordini remains to be seen.
So, what do you get with the Gordini to justify the extra cost? There’s dark grey leather with blue details, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, heated and electrically folding door mirrors, cornering lights and special paint (Malta Blue metallic, Pearl Black metallic or Glacier White). Tick all of those on the options list when specifying a Renaultsport 200 and the pre-discount price shoots up to £20,445, so perhaps the Gordini doesn’t look such bad value after all. That is, of course, provided those extras were wanted in the first place.
Other differences are mainly cosmetic, and include a gloss black centre section plus white F1-style ‘blade’ on the front bumper, white door mirrors, 17” Gordini alloy wheels and ‘Gordini Series’ badging. The effect is completed by the signature Gordini stripes, although these can be deleted by request. Apart from the leather trim, the interior features a white rev counter, exclusive steering wheel and a plaque that will show the build number of the car.
Technically, the Gordini is the same as its Renaultsport sibling. That means a 2.0 litre petrol engine producing 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) which will accelerate the Clio from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 6.9 seconds. Top speed is 141 mph (225 km/h).
For even sportier handling, customers can choose the optional £410 Cup chassis. It includes a 7mm lower ride height, springs that are stiffer by 27% at the front and 30% at the rear, 45% firmer dampers, a quicker steering rack and red Brembo brake calipers.
Buyers after similar performance might also want to consider the Mini Cooper S, Vauxhall Corsa VXR / Opel Corsa OPC, any one of the Volkswagen Polo GTI / Skoda Fabia vRS / Seat Ibiza SC Cupra trio or the forthcoming Abarth Punto Evo Esseesse. For anyone wanting an even faster supermini there’s the £21,670 Mini John Cooper Works, which does the 0-62 mph sprint in 6.5 seconds and will go on to 148 mph (238 km/h).
However, it may still be the case that the biggest threat to the Clio Gordini 200, which is available to order now for delivery from July, is a heavily discounted Clio Renaultsport 200.
