Renault to enter four classic 8 Gordini models to this years Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique.

• Four Renault 8 Gordinis to join 20th edition of the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique
• Renault Classic teams depart Barcelona on 27^th January, arriving in Monaco on 1st February

Renault says it will take part in the Rallye Monte-Carlo Historique 2017 involving four teams at the wheel of Renault 8 Gordinis:

• Team n°5 : Manu Guigou/ Jean-Pierre Prevot
• Team n°8 : Jean Ragnotti / Sebastien Delanney
• Team n°12 : Michel Leclere/ Michel Duvernay
• Team n°14 : Guillaume Chancel/ François-Paul Forgeoux

The Renault 8 Gordini, a legend

Few cars can have made such an impact during their time as the Renault 8 Gordini, prompting Renault to enter Renault 8 Gordinis in this competition. This was one the most popular sports models ever made by Renault, offering a top speed of 175 km/h at a very affordable price.

The Renault 8 Gordini appeared in 1964 to open up the thrill of sports driving to a whole generation. Though the “Gorde”, as it was affectionately known, was based on the Renault 8 Major, racetrack modifications at the hand of wizard Amédée Gordini left it largely unrecognisable.

Nothing was created by halves: the original model’s sensible engine was transfigured to squeeze out almost twice the power, with changes like a new cylinder head and two splendid Weber carburetors. Then the suspension, steering, brakes and equipment were upgraded to achieve a the top speed of 175 km/h. Visual signs of this remarkable sporting aptitude included round instrument dials and a smart blue finish with white stripes. The 1108 cc engine of the initial release gave way to a 1255 cc unit with the 1966 facelift, which also brought in the tell-tale dual headlamps. The Gordini Cup, introduced the same year, went a long way to developing the Renault 8 Gordini myth, consolidating its reputation with an impressive list of racing honours. 

Many racing drivers learned their craft at the wheel of a Renault 8 Gordini, and hold very fond memories of it. In 1970, the great little Renault 8 Gordini finally gave way to a Renault 12 model bearing the same name.

The four Renault 8 Gordinis entered by Renault are equipped with Michelin 135X15 X M + S 89 tyres which have already proved their efficiency in previous editions.

Four ŠKODA Citigo G-TECs to start in Monte-Carlo Alternative Energy Rally

• › Bivalent city runabouts with fuel consumption of only 2.9 kg CNG/100km step up to the competition in alternative drive concepts
• › Energy efficiency, uniformity and manoeuvrability will be rated 
• › Seven-times German rally champion Matthias Kahle is looking forward to the challenging route through the Maritime Alps 
• › Rally to the South of France plus loop over original stages to give that classic "Monte" feeling.

ŠKODA will be starting at the ‘Rallye de Monte-Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles’ from 20 to 23 March with four natural gas-powered Citigo 1.0 G-TECs. The event is the most prestigious competition for vehicles with alternative drive. The most important criterion is the energy efficiency rating on the 1,000+ kilometre route.

​One of the 50 kW (68 hp) ŠKODA Citigo 1.0 G-TEC is to be driven by the seven-time German Rally Champion Matthias Kahle, accompanied by his long-time co-pilot Peter Göbel. Kahle and Göbel are not only specialists in off-road and high-speed, they have also taken numerous victories in regularity events. Being about maximum efficiency, the race is a new challenge for ŠKODA driver Matthias Kahle: “With a predetermined travel time and speed through the French Maritime Alps, accelerating and using as little gas as possible requires extreme sensitivity and concentration.” 

Thus, the rally veteran alludes to the special regulations of the Monte-Carlo Rally for alternative drives. It is not pure speed that counts here, but rather a ‘triathlon’ of qualities essential to everyday motoring. The most important criterion is the energy efficiency rating - the consumption of the different drive concepts and fuel types are converted into a common classification according to a points system. Multiple regularity trials are included in the championship, taking place on some of the classic test routes the Rally Monte-Carlo. The third rating point is the manoeuvrability of the vehicles that will be tested in the principality’s yacht harbour. All tests are run on closed routes not public roads. 

The ŠKODA Citigo G-TEC has many qualities that are in demand in the "alternative Monte": With a combined fuel consumption of just 2.9 kilograms of natural gas per 100 kilometres, it is rated in the EU's energy efficiency class as A+. Thanks to the low CO2 emissions of a combined 79g/km, it has been entered in the 2013/2014 environmental car list of the Traffic Club Germany (VCD). No other model on this list is more economical or climate-friendly.

At the same time, the bivalent Citigo G-TEC, driven by natural gas and petrol, gives a very agile performance: with its 50 kW (68 PS) engine, the car sprints from 0-100km/h in  16.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 164 km/h. With a turning circle of 9.8 meters and compact 3.56 metre overall length, the vehicle is ideal for city driving and winding country roads. Electronic stability control and ASR traction control are fitted as standard.

The ‘Rallye de Monte-Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles’ is considered one of the most challenging races for alternative fuel vehicles. Electric, hybrid and internal combustion engines and types of energy such as natural gas, LPG, biodiesel, solar power, hydrogen and others will be competing against each other in various rating classes. Only vehicles that produce very little or no CO2 are allowed to participate.

In keeping with the classic Monte Carlo Rally, the "alternative Monte" also starts with a rally, in which all four ŠKODA Citigo G-TECs will be competing in Clermont-Ferrand, France. They will have driven around 550km by the time they reach the stage finish in Aix-en-Provence. From there, the teams will drive about 365 miles to Monaco. Around the Principality, they will be driving a 190kilometer loop, mostly on special stages of the Monte Carlo Rally. In total, the ‘Rallye de Monte-Carlo des Énergies Nouvelles’ is 1105 km long. The victory ceremony will take place on 23 March held in 2014 at the Port of Monaco.