Road test report -- February 2009

by Kevin Fenix.

Renault Laguna Coupe
2.0 dCi GT

A friend of mine, expressed the view, that Aston Martin’s designer, must have left that company and gone to Renault, as the Renault Laguna coupe looked very like an Aston Martin. He is incorrect in that assumption, but the Laguna coupe does have similar styling with very muscular and sporty lines. The similarities are even more striking when you look at the Laguna from the back.
My test car was powered by the 2.0 litre diesel engine, in its more powerful form and it was unique in having four wheel steering. At speeds of up to 60 kph (40 mph) the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels when cornering, while above that speed they turn in the same direction. This is designed to help slow speed manoeuvring, especially in tight spaces like parking and in reducing the turning circle, while at higher speeds it is intended to provide more precise cornering and to reduce the tendency to oversteer. At idling speeds the engine is very rough and diesel like, without too much oomph, even when it has warmed up, but once you get up to around 2,000 rpm it delivers its power and torque very smoothly and like greased lightning.

This is particularly noticeable when starting off. Initially it is rather sluggish, then as the engine revolutions reach 2,000 rpm, it takes off like the proverbial cat on a hot tin roof and before you know it, the tachometer is indicating 4,500 rpm and happily sailing at a similar pace towards 5,000 rpm and above. Acceleration from 0-100 kph takes 8.5 seconds and the Laguna will gallop on up to a top speed of 222 kph (137 mph). Before you yawn in disbelief at that 8.5 seconds for the acceleration, it is as well to put it into context. An Alfa Romeo GT with a 1.9 litre diesel, that I tested some years ago needed 9.6 seconds for the same sprint. The Mercedes-Benz CLK 200 Kompressor with its 1.8 litre petrol engine needed 9.9 seconds, while the Peugeot 407 with its 2.7 V6 diesel required 9.0 seconds. All of these are comfortable four seaters, with a commendably large boot, making it possible to tour in style and comfort in them. The BMW 123d coupe required 7.0 seconds, but it is a smaller lighter car, so the Renault is in good company and can hold its head high. You can get a similar size, style and comfort with the Audi A5, with much faster acceleration, but be prepared to pay considerably more.
Looks are obviously very much a personal matter, but I though that the car looked very much the part of an up market, sporty grand touring car. Inside it was attractive, well finished and well equipped, with a large luggage space. A clever feature is the two release catches in the boot, which when pulled, allow the rear seat backs to fold down neatly and easily.
The four cylinder diesel engine is turbocharged and tuned to deliver a commendable 65.664 kW/lt. The specific torque output is also a very commendable 200.501 Nm/lt. The engine is connected to a six speed manual gearbox. The changes are nicely precise and although smooth, do require a bit of elbow grease in the left arm. This does give the car a leaning towards sportiness, rather than an effortless, comfortable grand tourer.
Driving pleasure is heightened by the quick and precise steering, with just two and a quarter turns from lock to lock of the steering wheel. The driver is well catered for with an electrically adjustable seat, offering reach, height, backrest angle and cushion tilt adjustments, plus heating. The leather covered steering wheel adjusts for both reach and height. In addition there are electrically adjustable mirrors with a press button fold-in operation and electric windows in the two large doors. To gain access to the two rear seats, you simply lift a lever on the top outer corner of the front seats and tilt the backrest forwards, as you do so the seats slides forwards automatically. Pull the backrest back and the seat automatically slides back into its previously set position. Why can’t all coupe seats be like this !

Driving controls are well laid out, with an instrument binnacle behind the steering wheel ahead of the driver. The instrument faces are black with white lettering, red needles and highlights. Besides the tachometer and speedometer, there is an engine temperature and a fuel level gauge. In addition there is a digital panel for further information. A rectangular digital panel in the centre of the facia gives audio information, time and outside temperature, amongst other things. Immediately below, between two air vents, there is a panel for the dual level climate control. This is very conveniently placed and easy to use. The audio unit with its associated switches and controls is below that. The high quality sporty image is emphasised by the well bolstered, leather upholstered seats, leather covered steering wheel, aluminium pedals, high quality materials on the doors and top of the facia, all set off by classic aluminium trim. A plastic pad, about the size of a credit card, but thicker, serves as the remote controlled locking/unlocking, as well as the ignition activator. It fits into a slot below the vent to the right of the climate controls, with an engine stop/start button located below it. A similar rectangular shape below the left hand vent, when pushed opens out to provide a cupholder.

In the centre tunnel, ahead of the gearlever, there is a covered ashtray, while behind the gearlever, there is an open receptacle that may be used as either a cupholder, or a convenient storage space for things like small change, keys or similar items. Behind that there is the electric handbrake operating lever and the switch for the cruise control. Further switches for the cruise control are located on the steering wheel. Between the two seats there is a covered armrest with a large storage box below. It also has a 12v accessory socket. The window and mirror switches and adjustments are located in the driver’s door armrest. It is all so utterly convenient and logical, that you say to yourself, that the people who designed this car, must actually enjoy driving cars themselves and have a burning desire to pass on that sheer pleasure and enjoyment to others !
If it does have a disadvantage, it is that the two doors are very long. This means that you need plenty of space on either side of the car, to open them out fully. This is something that is common to most coupes today.

The boot is large and spacious, so two people will have no trouble in touring in comfort and style. When extra space is needed for those occasions when awkward loads have to be carried, you simply pull a convenient handle, located on either side of the boot and the seat back on that side, drops down, into a horizontal position on the rear seat cushion.
While it has the potential to make a good grand touring car, I am not impressed by the absence of a spare wheel. Those compressors and latex, just do not fix anything other than a very minor small puncture. Believe me I know this from bitter experience.

Above left : Normal luggage space ------------------ Above right : Maximum luggage space

Diesels are popular these days, mainly because they tend to be more economical in their thirst for fuel and because they have lower exhaust gas emissions. On the urban cycle this version of the Laguna coupe gives 32 mpg (8.6 lt/100 km), rising to 51 mpg (5.5 lt/100 km) on the extra urban cycle. This gives a combined cycle average of 43 mpg (6.5 lt/100 km). The emissions are recorded as 172 gm/km, which, at present rates, would be liable for an annual Irish road tax bill of 630 euro. This can cause a dilemma. If you go for the model with the 1.5 litre diesel and the six speed automatic transmission you can reduce that road tax bill to 302 euro per year. The automatic will be a lot more effortless to drive, it will be marginally slower in top speed and it will take a whole second longer to accelerate from 0-100 kph. I could certainly live with that, but many drivers would not feel the same thrill if they did not have to change gears themselves manually. Although it is less expensive to buy into the bargain, it does not have the four wheel steering. It is your money and only YOU can make that decision for yourself.