Raunchy Lesbian Ad for Renault Twingo Banned in Italy

What woman wouldn’t falsely seduce another to steal her shirt? No, this isn’t another one of my sexist rants: it’s a (legitimate?) question posed by a Renault ad that has been banned in Italy.

The ad features two women – who I’ll refer to as the blonde and the brunette – who sneak off together for some hanky-panky bedroom fun. The brunette undresses; the blonde blindfolds her and steals her pink top, later comparing it to the color of her Renault Twingo Miss Sixty.

The ad was created by the Milanese arm of French advertising firm Publicis, which Renault had used before to great effect with the highly popular Papa et Nicole ads of the 1990s for the Renault Clio I. However, this latest ad has not gone down well in Italy, with TV RAI (essentially Italy’s BBC) and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset organization refusing to air it. It has also outraged the nation’s gay-lesbian groups which claim it is offensive to homosexual women.

Italian newspaper Corriere Della Sera asks:

“Is it controversial or cutting edge? One thing for certain though at no point during the advert is any technical aspect of the new Renault Twingo ever mentioned.”

Can’t you be both controversial and cutting edge? Lady Gaga (sort of) falls into this category, doesn’t she? *Is pelted with rotten tomatoes* Okay, okay; and let us never speak of her again.

Publicis spokeperson Daniele Tranchini defends the controversial ad:

“We wanted to create an advert that was original, enjoyable and at the same time not vulgar and I believe we have achieved that. What is clever is that you think the advert is going one way but in the end it goes another - its great don't you think?”

For the time being, the ad is only being aired on Sky and has not be shown outside of Italy. Thanks to YouTube, you – our loyal readers – can see the ad for yourselves and render your verdict in the comment’s section below.

By Tristan Hankins

Via: Dailymail & USA Today

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Renault Extends Gordini Lineup with New Twingo 100HP TCe and 85 dCi Models

While many petrolheads may not agree with Renault's decision to use the Gordini nameplate for styled-up and better equipped models, the French company claims the idea has proven successful so far with buyers as Gordini versions account for around two-thirds of Twingo R.S. [133hp] sales and one-third of Clio R.S. sales in Europe.

Building on this success, the company has decided to extend the lineup with the introduction of the Twingo Gordini, which will replace the GT variant. It will be offered with a choice of two engines, a 1.2-liter TCe turbocharged gasoline unit delivering 100-hp, and a 1.4-liter dCi turbo diesel churning out 85-horsepower.

Exterior appointments include specific front and rear bumpers, 15-inch alloy wheels and special badges. There are three available colors to choose from: Malte Blue metallic, Pearlescent Black and Glacier White. The Malte Blue metallic models come with white stripes and details, while the other two colors are matched with Cold Metal Grey stripes and details.

Inside, the Gordini treatment adds special blue and black leather throughout the interior, sports seats, blue rev-counter housing with white background and bezel, aluminum pedals, black lacquer-finish centre console and dark-charcoal leather-trimmed dashboard cowl with visible stitching.

Renault said the Twingo Gordini will be marketed across most of Europe. Order books for the TCe 100hp version are already open in France, with prices starting from €14,800.

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Paris Preshow: Renault and Fashion House Miss Sixty Create Twingo for the Girls

Billed as the first "all-feminine" and "most glamorous" of all Twingo limited editions, the Twingo Miss Sixty is the result of collaboration between Renault and Miss Sixty, the international fashion label of Italy's Sixty group. The fashionista Twingo's world premiere will take place on the Renault stand at next week's Paris Motor Show before launching into the European market in November 2010.

The Twingo Miss Sixty will be available in two unique exterior colors, Bohemian Pink or Pearlescent black, with the interior detailed in pink and black, giving it what Renault describes as a "sultry glam'rock look".

Aside from the Miss Sixty brand logos, other highlights include a pink-rimmed tachometer and speedometer, a pink-stitched leather steering wheel and pearlescent black door mirror housings.

Further details and pricing will be announced at next week's Paris Motor Show.

Renault Prices Twingo Gordini 133 from £14,500, Only 200 Examples for the UK

Renault has announced UK pricing for its 'chic' version of the Twingo RS 133 with the Gordini signature. Available to order from April with first deliveries in June, on-the-road prices for the Twingo Gordini RS start from £14,500.

The "all-show, no-go" Gordini nameplate adds a Malta Blue metallic finish with twin white racing stripes and unique 17-inch alloy wheels. Furthermore, the front and rear bumpers are enhanced by gloss black centre sections, while the fog light surrounds, door mirrors housing and rear spoiler are all highlighted in a contrasting white finish.

Inside, the Twingo Gordini 144 has been upgraded with Renaultsport seats clothed in dark grey leather with blue details and Gordini-embossed logo, while the Blue detailing continues on to the door panels, the gearlever gaiter and Gordini-badged gearknob.

The steering wheel is finished in blue and dark grey leather with two white stripes, whilst the rev counter pod is also in blue with a white face.

In addition to the standard equipment of the Twingo RS, the Gordini also features climate control, automatic headlight and wiper activation, cruise control, speed limiter, ESC, 4x20W radio-CD with fingertip steering wheel-mounted remote control and separate display, Bluetooth connectivity, multifunctional TunePoint for personal music players (iPod, MP3) and extra-tinted rear windows..

Finally, all Twingo Gordini 133s will be equipped with a special plate showing the build number of the 200 examples that will make their way to the UK.

The Gordini model is powered by the same 133HP 1.6-liter naturally aspirated-four found on the standard Twingo RS.

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.