Test drive Renault Laguna: New time
The new Laguna promises balanced comfort, driving pleasure and high quality workmanship. Renault clearly has high hopes for the third generation model. Could a French bestseller justify the vote of confidence again? Test of the two-liter diesel version of the model.
The appearance of the new Laguna expresses the desire of the car to be different from its predecessor, whose biography began in 2001 and which was often shaken due to serious quality problems. Well, the body has already acquired a more modern look - its “face” is smoothed out, the headlights have received a new, elongated shape, and the classic radiator grille is practically absent. Instead, the front is solved by a narrow slot under the hood and an apron with a powerful hole for air cooling.
Innovative design
Combined with a raised wedge piping and a gently sloping roofline, the silhouette is elegant and even matches a two-door coupé. Unfortunately, the dynamic roof layout has a negative effect on the headroom of the rear passengers, and if you are more than 1,80 m tall, you will have to put up with limited freedom of movement. And in the Lagoon, you will surely find plenty of legroom.
The subjective sense of space in the front seats is satisfactory unless you order a glass sunroof, as it absorbs a significant portion of the headroom. The ergonomic seats allow you to quickly find a comfortable position and, thanks to their raised position, the forward visibility is also excellent. Safe reversing, on the other hand, requires expert judgment on the size of the vehicle, or complete confidence in the parkronic's peeping, since the wide C-pillars and the high edge of the trunk cover most of the field of view. This trade-off was likely made in favor of an easily accessible cargo area, which is a decent 462 liters. We are surprised to find that the boot floor remains flat even when the backrests are not symmetrically folded. The procedure is performed quickly and completely smoothly, as a result the available volume increases to a good value for the 1337 liter category.
Surprisingly dynamic road behavior
When driving the new Laguna, the increase in body dimensions is imperceptible compared to the old model. The extra nine centimeters in length is unimpressive as the driver is completely consumed by the markedly improved handling and vastly better handling on the road in general. The result of the work of development engineers is a more realistic driving experience, especially on winding roads. It should be noted that in border traffic, the Laguna shows a certain tendency to understeer, but on the other hand it always maintains self-control and its reactions are quite predictable. The new car inspires confidence and creates a feeling of safety - it has higher stability indicators than the previous generation, and thanks to the direct control of the steering system, it follows the trajectory chosen by the driver with readiness and desire.
Comfort at the expected good level
The Renault Laguna fully meets the expectations of the comfort inherent in every French sedan - the suspension confidently absorbs long wavy bumps and is not afraid of even rough asphalt deformations. And since the noise entering the cabin is usually muffled, it's safe to say that the Laguna is a car suitable for long trips. The reason for this is the pleasantly simplified control of most functions in the car – the clarity and ergonomics are impressive. Switches for some secondary functions, such as air conditioning and audio, are logically grouped in the center of the dashboard. And yet - in all cases, the "remote" control of the additional navigation system, which is surrounded by a row of buttons on the central controller, is extremely poorly located between the front seats. In addition, at a certain angle of sunlight, the guide display becomes difficult to read.
A qualitative leap
The surface of the switches, as well as the impression of the material from which they are made, testify to the attention to detail and care. The same applies to the use of wood, aluminum or (rather beautiful) aluminum imitation in the interior, which vary depending on the level of performance. There can be no doubt - our test car was of excellent quality, albeit from a pre-production batch. And maybe that's why - let's wait and see.
Large diesel engine with 150 hp The village has an excellent temperament and generally runs very smoothly, but when starting off is weak and noisier at high speeds. On the other hand, at over 2000 rpm, the engine shows solid traction and quick throttle response, and if you follow the light instructions for handling a not-so-accurate drivetrain, its hoarse voice will also remain far from your ears.
Extensive standard equipment, comprehensive safety equipment, competitive pricing and a three-year or 150 km warranty clearly underline Laguna's commitment to leadership. In addition to the Grandtour lifestyle wagon, which will be launched in January 000, next autumn's lineup will be complemented by an elegant coupé, perhaps one of the decisions personally influenced by Renault President Carlos Ghosn.
Text: Teodor Novakov, Bozhan Boshnakov
Photo: Beate Jeske
Evaluation
Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi FAP Dynamic
The Laguna scores points with its temperamental and cultured XNUMX-liter diesel engine, surprisingly dynamic handling and tremendous advances in quality and functionality. However, the suspension does not live up to expectations in all respects.
technical details
| Renault Laguna 2.0 dCi FAP Dynamic | |
|---|---|
| Working volume | - |
| Power | 110 kW (150 hp) |
| Maximum torque | - |
| Acceleration 0-100 km / h | 9,6 with |
| Braking distances at a speed of 100 km / h | 39 m |
| full speed | 210 km / h |
| Average consumption fuel in the test | 8,2 l / 100 km |
| Base Price | 27 900 EUR (in Germany) |
