Renault LAGUNA RANGE
In Order To Make The Laguna Fit Better With Their Current Styling Direction,
Renault Have Given It A Mid Life Facelift. Andy Enright Reports
Most car manufacturers are relatively easy to second guess. Renault, however, isnt one of them. Few predicted quite how the Laguna II would look upon introduction in 2001 and fewer still realised quite how well the design would age. Even today an early Laguna II looks a very clean piece of styling work.
The usual formula of facelifting a car at three years old and replacing the model at six didnt seem to apply to the Laguna. At the three-year mark, Renault left the looks alone and concentrated on adding engines and building in value. Finally theyve been forced to give the car a nip and tuck, although not for conventional reasons.
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The Laguna was introduced during a period of flux for
Renault. Unsure of quite where their future styling direction lay, the turn of the century was a period of intense stylistic invention in the company, with many disparate and bold designs making it to the sales floor. One of these was the Laguna II and although it still looks agreeably edgy today, Renaults corporate design language was diverging, taking in the likes of the Megane, the Scenic and the Modus. The Laguna was increasingly looking something of an anomaly smack in the middle of the Renault line up.
Something had to be done and that something is the facelifted version we have now. It might be right for Renaults integrated design direction but is it an improvement over the old Laguna II? That may well provoke some discussion.
"The Laguna remains a supremely classy act"
The nose has been modified with a one-piece component that integrates the front bumper and grille. The bonnet line is shortened and more convex and the headlamps have been extended lengthwise. Moving round to the back shows a revised tail light configuration. The interior has come in for some attention too with improved ergonomics and materials quality.
The dashboard features better quality plastics with a redesigned centre console and repositioned stereo and ventilation controls. A new moulding surrounds the top part of the fascia giving a swoopier look to the dashboard, but the basic architecture still feels a little older than some rivals. The changes made dont concentrate solely on the aesthetic. 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. 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 debuts on the Laguna. The parking brake is now automatic and a revised Carminat 3D Navigation and Communication centre has also been developed. 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.
Enthusiasts will welcome the debut of the GT 205 model. Sitting alongside the plush Initiale as the ranges flagship, the GT 205 features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine good for as its name suggests some 205bhp. Renault claim its a Grand Touring model dedicated to driving enjoyment and is both sporting and civilised in everyday driving.
Thats as maybe, but its certainly extremely quick, accelerating through 60mph from a standstill in 7 seconds flat and not letting up until it gets to 146mph. In fact, the performance isnt that far off the acclaimed Clio Renaultsport 182. One can imagine enterprising Clio owners already wondering how they can lay their hands on one of these engines. With specially developed Michelin Pilot Exalto2 tyres on 17inch wheels and lowered and stiffened suspension, the GT 205 features a lower air intake grille, wheels with a smoked chrome finish, a rear wing for the hatchback model and satin finished roof rails and dark tinted side windows for the Sport Tourer estate version.
The interior is something of an acquired taste, with red and black leather upholstery with satin aluminium detailing on the dashboard. Although this model will doubtless garner the column inches, arguably a more significant model for Renaults bottom line is the fleet friendly 95 bhp dCi diesel (upgraded from 90bhp). The 1.9dCi 120 also gets a 10bhp power upgrade to 130bhp, fully compliant with Euro IV emissions regulations.
Elsewhere, the 1.8-litre petrol engine gets the bullet with the 135bhp 2.0-litre now marking the entry level for Renault petrol engines, while the 2.0-litre Turbo engine gets another 5bhp, bringing it to 170bhp.
A five-speed proactive automatic gearbox has also been developed for the range topping Initiale models. The Renault Laguna has long been a class act in a market that rewards buttoned down mediocrity. The latest car may look a little less distinctive than its sleek predecessor, but its a better car to drive and to own. Its a formula thats bound to work.
Renault have proved time and again that theyre one step ahead of most of their rivals. Dealers will hope that this form line continues.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Renault Laguna range
PRICES: £15,775-£24,475
INSURANCE GROUPS: 7-14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 150-247g/km
PERFORMANCE: [GT 205] 0-60mph 7s / Max Speed 146mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (2.0T) (Combined) 34mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front,side and curtain airbags, ABS
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