Renaults New Laguna
Renault Laguna - Pens posed please for the order books are now open for the third re incarnation of the Renault Laguna. Customers can opt for the hot hatch that already adorns our showrooms or wait until January for the estate version that has been re-named the Sport Tourer just showing how estate cars are making a comeback by looking better along with a trendier name.
Four trims are available, Expression, Dynamique, Dynamique S and the luxurious Initiale mated to an array of petrol and diesels engines including the new 2.0 dCi 175 flagship engine that sprints to 62mph in a mere 8.7 seconds, yet retains 43.4 mpg on a combined cycle.
But inside the wow factors start coming out. The lovely instrument arrangement geared for driver ease
This engine will be in the heart of the top three trims but you will have to wait until March next year for delivery. All versions come with a six speed manual gearbox that is extremely rare in the upper-medium sector and the 2.0 dCi 150 is available for the first time with the new Renault Nissan Alliance six speed automatic gearbox.
Renault expect this engine to be the best seller which is not surprising as CO2 emissions on the Sport Tourer version stand in a 160, it claims 46.3 mpg on a combined cycle, has a benefit in kind of19% and falls into insurance group 11E. Could this be the new ‘sales car of the year’?
At launch day, we were privy to the Sport Tourer variants. Now, with the estates being rather pushed into the background over the past years, manufacutrers are waking up to the reality that many families travel with their car and need the space plus versatility an estate or rather Sport Tourer can offer. So Renault decided it was about time they updated their version amidst stiff competition from the likes of the Ford Mondeo or the Vauxhall Vectra.
I think it would be fair to say, that families who travel with their cars or executive sales people who equally spend a lot of time in thier vehicles, will tend to opt for top of the range and why not. If you are driving long distances you need and deserve your creature comforts so lets focus on the Initiale trim that sees 17 inch alloy wheels, body coloured electrically adjustable heated and folding door mirrors and door handles along with the rather attractive elegant lines. The Laguna is not a car that will jump out at you but will blend more into the background as it clocks up those miles it is expected to do.
But inside the wow factors start coming out. The lovely instrument arrangement geared for driver ease, height adjustable steering wheel with remotes for the CD radio with MP3 compatibility plus Bluetooth connectivity and electrically adjustable with memory function front seats to give the ideal driving position along with extra lumber support so needed on long journeys. Aiding the driver is cruise control, front and rear parking sensors for those narrow European roads, automatic parking brake, automatic Xenon directional headlights with headlamp washers, automatic wipers, front fog lights and ‘See Me home’ headlamps while keeping all occupants cool calm and collected is a unique climate control with carbon and odour filter. This system offers three controls levels, ‘Soft’ that produces a gentle airflow to the front passengers, ‘Auto’ naturally creates a cool or warm cabin ambience according to the temperature selected and ‘Fast’ delivers a rapid blast throughout the cabin to keep those children from getting all hot and bothered. A DVD with twin screens mounted behind the front headrest is an optional ‘must have’ extra.
Then come the final touches that cement the Sport Tourer in the practicality stakes. Built in sun blinds in the rear windows, along with loads of storage boxes including a rear centre armrest with storage space and cup holders, the rear seats collapse flush with the floor by simple flicking a button in the rear. Then that awful problem of what to do with the parcel shelf when you have bulky loads. Well in the Laguna you simply take off the parcel shelf and down by the spare wheel is an integrated space especially made for it, which is great as when you have disposed of the said object, you want the parcel shelf back in place in case you decide to stop of at the shops. With 1,593 litres of space when the rear seats are folded, you could literally shop till you drop but if you run out of room, there are cubbyholes in the side panels of the luggage area and bag hooks.
Driviewise, again no real wow factors. The new Laguna Sport Tourer is easy to drive, holds the road well but more importantly is very comfortable. I personally preferred the six speed manual gearbox to the automatic purely on handling abilities. But in case I did get it all wrong, I knew I could rely on ABS with EBD, ESP with ASR Traction Control then of course the driver, passenger, front thorax, side and curtain airbags should keep me reasonably injury free as would the anti whiplash headrest, seatbelt pretensioners and the children in tact with ISOFIX mountings. Securing the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer is RAID – Renaults Anti Intruder Device, immobiliser, remote central locking, keyless car entry with Renaults Card, alarm and deadlock’s. Well what do you expect? It’s a Renault.
With prices starting from around £15,000 rising to just under £25k may seem a bit pricey but you have to look at the toys on board, the incredible safety and security features plus low cost of ownership. I think Renault have pitched this just at the right time. Whether it will beat its main rivals remains to be seen.