Renault adds GT badge to Laguna range

What is it?

On the face of it, a spruced up Laguna, sporting the promising GT tag. To Renault, the GT cars aren't as hardcore as its Renaultsport models, so the Laguna GT is a sportier version rather than a sports version, as such. The badge is available on both the five-door hatchback and on the Sport Tourer estate.

Renault has given the Laguna GT a (slightly) more aggressive nose than the regular car, along with detail changes to the lights front and rear. Black mirrors also set the GT apart from the rest of the range, as do larger 18-inch alloys. The latter are designed to be elegant rather than sporting though, so the GT doesn't really stand out as anything special in isolation. Unless it comes painted in Malta Blue, that is, a new eye catching colour specific to the GT model.

Most of the differences between the GT and the regular Laguna models are under the skin. First up, GT buyers get a choice of two engines not found in the rest of the Laguna range. There's a 178bhp 2.0-litre dCi turbodiesel, boasting 295lb.ft of torque and a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit putting out a useful 202bhp and 221lb.ft of torque. Bigger news than the two new engines, though, is the adoption of an advanced four-wheel steering system Renault likes to call Active Drive.

Is it any good?

Undoubtedly, but there's a large 'but' we'll come to later. The Active Drive chassis endows the Laguna GT with much sharper dynamics, proving to be agile in tight corners and stable in fast ones. Admittedly, there have been other changes to the suspension, such as stiffer dampers, but comparing the GT with the lesser Laguna models is like comparing chalk with cheese.

In summary, the four-wheel steering system rotates the rear wheels up to 3.5-degrees in the opposite direction to the front wheels at lower speeds, which reduces the car's turning circle and so helps with parking and really twisty roads. The effect is less turning of the wheel and a feeling that the car is keen to turn in. At higher speeds, the rear wheels are turned in the same direction as the fronts, which aids stability, especially in the case of an emergency swerve at high speed. Additionally, while braking, the electronics can identify - through the ABS and ESP systems - that there is less grip on one side of the car than the other and correct the steering for the driver.

The added active safety promised by the Active Drive chassis is impressive, as is the car's new found ability in the bends. However, before really keen drivers start eyeing the GT up as a rival for the BMW 3 Series, it should be noted that the Laguna's controls, slick as they are, are not gifted with any feel, so the driver has to guess at how close to the limits of adhesion the tyres are. Undoubtedly the limits are high - and most drivers will never broach them - but for the few that consider a GT badge as a statement of intent, the new Laguna may disappoint.

Likewise, on paper, the turbocharged petrol engine appeals, but in reality it has very little character and doesn't make a nice noise when extending it. The dCi model is actually quieter and has much more mid-range urge. It's also the more relaxing car to drive and of course saves money when it comes to filling up. The dCi models are only marginally more expensive to buy than the petrol versions too.

Should I call the bank manager?

It shouldn't take too much convincing. Putting aside the Laguna GT's agility and impressive dynamics, it is packed with equipment as standard, yet its purchase price is only a modest increase over comparable non-GT models in the range. Not that there are any direct comparisons to be made, as the GT engines are not available in any other guise. Your bank manager would be wise to give you an extra few hundred pounds to go for the dCi model, as it's a better drive and should cost you less in the long run.

Summary

The GT badge is an evocative one, but Renault is quick to disclaim the new Laguna GT as a sportier Laguna, not a sporty one. We'd have to agree with that assessment. The new car is capable for sure, and pleasingly quick. The four-wheel steering system is no gimmick either, enhancing the car's dynamics at all speeds and improving active safety. Buyers of top of the range Laguna models should take a close look at the GT, but keen drivers may be a little disappointed by its anodyne driving experience.

Shane O' Donoghue