Geneva Preshow: New Renault Wind Receives the Gordini Touch

Renault's funky looking little coupe-convertible, the new Wind, is next up on the French automaker's list of models to receive the Gordini styling treatment. More of a posh version of the standard Wind than anything else, the Gordini-badged model bears the in-house tuner's traditional colors with a Malta blue bodywork and two white stripes. It also gets Glacier white door mirrors, grille trim and rear wing, and a glossy black roof, while the 17-inch diamond alloy wheels and a badge marked with a “G” completes the look.

Inside, the cabin features special “Gordini” black and blue leather upholstery, blue and white door straps, a blue leather steering wheel with white stripes at the top, and a gear lever with a leather gaiter and metal knob with the Gordini name.

There are no mechanical changes over the standard Wind models.

The Wind Gordini will receive its world premiere at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show in early March, and go on sale across Europe shortly after.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Renault Wind Tuned by Elia coming to Essen Motor Show

After SEMA and more recently the ongoing LA Auto Show, next up on our motor show calendar is Europe's largest tuning event that takes place n the city of Essen, Germany from November 27 to December 5. Speeding to this year's Essen show is a new tuning proposal for the freshly launched Renault Wind by Elia.

The German tuning house said the package for the Twingo-based roadster model will include some subtle aero parts along with LED daytime running lights and 18 inch alloy wheels shod in 205/35 tires up front and beefier 235/30 tires at the back. Though it would make the package more desirable, unfortunately, the lady with the hot shorts and high-heel pumps is not part of Elia's offerings.

Performance upgrades will come in the form of a sport suspension and an ECU tune that promises to add 16HP and 28Nm of torque, though Elia didn't clarify if the software tune is for the 100HP 1.2-liter Turbo or the 133HP 1.6-liter engine

We'll have more details on the tune from the Essen Show next week.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

New Renault Wind Coupe-Roadster Priced from £15,500 in the UK

Renault's UK division has released pricing and specification details for its Wind Coupé-Roadster. Customer ordering for the Wind, which is offered with the choice of two engines, a 133HP 1.6-liter or a 100HP 1.2-liter turbo, opens in May for first deliveries in July with prices ranging from £15,500 to £18,200.

In addition, the new two-seater model will be available to pre-order later in April in an exclusive, range-topping "Collection" limited edition guise, of which only 200 examples will make their way to Britain.

The standard range is offered in two trim levels. The base Dynamique comes equipped with ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution), front and lateral driver and passenger airbags, brake assist, ESC, immobiliser and electric retracting hard top roof as standard

Moving up to the Dynamique S adds 2x35W radio CD MP3 reader with fingertip remote control, 17-inch alloys, auto lights and wipers, alarm system, Bluetooth connectivity and multi-functional TunePoint (USB connection).

Finally, the limited edition Collection includes several more standard goodies such as electrically adjustable and heated chrome effect door mirrors, carbon black leather-faced heated seats, gloss black retractable roof, red and chrome dash inserts, leather sport wheel and gearknob, aluminium pedals, subtle 'Collection' side and boot badges, plus double chrome roof cover cowls.

Full pricing for Wind Coupé-Roadster is outlined below. Insurance groups have yet to be finalised, but are expected to be competitive.

Version	Engine	OTR Price
Dynamique	1.2 TCe 100	£15,500
	1.6 VVT 133	£16,400
Dynamique S	1.2 TCe 100	£16,400
	1.6 VVT 133	£17,300
Collection limited edition	1.2 TCe 100	£17,300
	1.6 VVT 133	£18,200

Geneva Show: Renault Wind, a French Take on the Small Roadster

This week's Geneva Motor Show sees Renault celebrate the world premiere of the Wind, a 3.83 meter-long two-seater coupe-roadster based on the Twingo's platform and mechanical hardware that features an unusual set up with a central roof panel that pivots open in 12 seconds and stows away below the boot.

Renault says that the novel roof system ensures that the Wind's boot space remains the same at 270 liters regardless of whether the roof is up or down. A boot cover protects the roof from dust and water when in the open position.

At launch, the pint-sized French roadster will be offered with a choice of two gasoline engines, the Twingo GT's 1.2-liter TCe turbo producing 100 horsepower and the Twingo RS's 1.6-liter unit delivering 133 horsepower.

Following its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the Renault Wind will go on sale in Europe during the summer.