Renault LAGUNA 2.0 16v range
Two Litre Engines Are Always Popular In This Market Sector, So Its Just As Well That
Renault Have A Cracker Under The Bonnet Of The Latest Laguna. Andy Enright Reports
The medium range market has a thing about two-litre cars. Its the perfect fit, much as 1.6-litre engines slot nicely into family hatches and 1.3-litre units plumb sweetly into a supermini.
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Dont ask us why, thats just how it works.
Renault may have upset the status quo in this hotly contested corner of the market when they introduced the latest Laguna, but theyve played by the book with their 2.0-litre 16-valve engine.
Its tempting to think of a scenario where successive design meetings for the Laguna were refining designs that were progressively becoming more and more Teutonic, an Audiesque fascia moulding here, an electronic gizmo purloined from Mercedes there plus a purposeful
BMW-like stance on the road. Suddenly somebody had a brainwave and in a rush of Gallic pride proclaimed that Renault didnt have to slavishly ape the Germans. Jaws would drop and brows would furrow at such a manifestly risible statement, but it set in motion a return to a more refreshingly French school of design. The Laguna is better for it.
"Fuel economy is excellent, the saloon and Sport Tourer versions both standing up well against equivalent rivals"
Even as it stands, Renault has a tough battle on its hands to gain conquest business from customers loyal to other brands a situation usually guaranteed to encourage a more innovative approach. Still, innovation can only go so far. Ryan Giggs can only do his magic with the solidity of Roy Keane behind him, and the Laguna underpins the design flair with a solidly excellent 2.0-litre engine that, like Man Us talented Irishman, doesnt seem to have a weak point.
Its probably even better than that, as even under severe provocation, the 140bhp powerplant has yet to attempt to throttle a linesman. Available on four trim levels, Expression, Extreme, Dynamique and Privilege, the 2.0-litre powerplant starts at £15,775 for the Expression hatch and spans a price range up to £19,075 for the Privilege Sports Tourer estate bodystyle. Following the latest facelift, which brought this Lagunas one-piece nose along with extended Megane-style headlamps and various interior alterations, the 1.
8-litre petrol engine was discontinued making this 2.0-litre unit the entry-level point in the range. Fuel economy is excellent, the saloon and Sport Tourer versions both standing up well against equivalent rivals, the saloon weighing in with 36.7mpg and the Sport Tourer eking 35.
8 miles from every gallon. One of the reasons the 2.0-litre engine used to sell so well is that the next engine up was for a long time the expensive and thirsty 3.0-litre V6, but Renault plugged that gap with a turbocharged 165bhp version of the 2.
0-litre that has laid claim its fair share of sales. Now theres even a sporty GT205 Laguna with a more fiercely blown version of the engine that develops 205bhp but the standard 2.0-litre 16-valve still has a lot to offer. Especially with 0-60mph in under 10s and a 130mph top speed married to that impressive fuel economy.
The suspension has been tuned to offer better body control and to reduce unwanted vibration. Safety has also been improved and although its predecessor was the first passenger car to attain the coveted five-star Euro NCAP rating, the latest Laguna (New Laguna as Renault dub it) features better restraint systems, road holding and braking plus a later generation of anti lock brakes and electronic stability control. The ESP system now features understeer control that even takes into account the actions of the suspension and the wear of the tyres. With a revised program, the stability control system can now react even quicker than before, preventing the build up of yaw forces before they get out of control.
All this comes in addition to the Renaults System for Restraint and Protection (SRP), which is comprised of eight airbags, anti-whiplash head restraints, height adjustable seatbelts with pretensioners and ISOFIX child
seat mounting points. Theres also a major investment in technology to make the Laguna easier to live with. The Renault Card with hands free engine ignition already offered on the Megane and Scenic now features on the Laguna. The parking brake is automatic and a revised Carminat 3D Navigation and Communication centre is also available.
Audio systems have been improved and a multimedia selector has been created, sited where a conventional handbrake would normally sit. Drivers can operate it without taking their eyes off the road due to different shaped buttons which enable tactile recognition part of Renaults Touch design philosophy. Inside the current Laguna, the dashboard features better quality plastics with a redesigned centre console and repositioned stereo and ventilation controls. All Laguna buyers find themselves on the receiving end of air-conditioning, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver and passenger seats, a trip computer and a CD stereo with steering wheel mounted controls.
Outside, body coloured bumpers and mirrors also feature with the mirrors being heated and electrically controlled. The 2.0-litre 16v engined Laguna will undoubtedly be one of the ranges big sellers and theres no reason why it cant win sales from rival products. Anybody who thinks a Mondeo is the default choice in the medium range sector is labouring under a misapprehension.
Imagine how brilliant
Citroen would have been twenty years ago if could have combined that innovation with the benefit of Formula One quality engineering. Sound familiar? Bingo.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Laguna 2.0-litre 16v range
PRICES: £15,775-£19,075 on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 10-11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 185-190g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.6s / Max Speed 131mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Urban) 27.2/ (Extra urban) 46.3/ (Combined) 36.7mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS
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