Renault Latitude On Sale In Australia

2011 RENAULT LATITUDE

Renault Australia has today announced the local release of the 2011 Latitude sedan, entering as a replacement for the slow-selling Laguna.

Starting at $36,990, the Latitude also represents a saving of $2000 compared to the current Laguna entry model.

“The Renault Latitude is another facet of the resurgence of the brand in Australia, which continues to gather momentum driven by new product and new services for customers," Renault Australia Managing Director Justin Hocevar said.

“With the launch of Renault Financial Services, our extended factory-backed 5-year warranty for passenger cars (excluding RS models), our service demonstrator fleet, and a range of tactical campaigns, Renault is signalling very strongly to the Australian car buying public that it is striving to meet its needs,” he said.

Engines and Mechanical Features

Power for the Latitude range is provided by a pair of engines, one a petrol V6 and the other a four-cylinder turbodiesel. 

On the petrol front, the Nissan-supplied 2.5 litre V6 petrol engine produces 133kW and 235Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is listed at 9.7 l/100km.

Diesel models are powered by a 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine, developing 127kW and 380Nm of torque. Fuel consumption is listed at 6.5 l/100km.

Both engines are paired with six-speed automatic transmissions as standard.

Suspension is managed by MacPherson struts up front, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear.

The Latitude's brake package sees 296mm ventilated front discs on the petrol version, and 320mm front discs for the torquier diesel model. Both models get 300mm rear discs.

The basic Latitude is fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 225/50 rubber, while the top-spec Latitude Luxe gets 18-inch alloys and 225/45 tyres.

Interior and Storage

Aside from a number of minor styling aesthetic differences, the Latitude is largely identical to the Korean-market Renault-Samsung SM5, with which it shares its platform - a stretched version of the layout underpinning the mid-sized Laguna.

Thanks to its larger platform, the Latitude offers increased interior space, along with a 477 litre boot and 60:40 split-folding rear seats for increased storage.

Rear loading also benefits from a low sill and a broad aperture.

Other storage features include a 9.6 litre chilled glovebox, a 2.4 litre centre console, front and rear door bins, map pockets on the front seat backs and four cup holders.

In the cabin, the Latitude offers 1513mm of elbow room in the front and 1474mm in the rear and. Although numbers haven't been offered, Renault also promises "remarkably roomy" kneeroom.

Special attention has been given to insulation, with door and window seals, inserts in the body's hollow sections and a single-piece soundproofing arrangement for the front bulkhead all contributing to minimising the entry of noise into the cabin.

Equipment and Features

Standard features for the Renault Latitude include:

• Arkamys®audio system with Bluetooth audio streaming
• Fully integrated satellite navigation system fitted as standard
• Renault Smart Card Key for hands-free entry and ignition and automatically locking doors
• Electric height adjustable and heated driver’s seat with manual lumbar support
• Heated, manually adjustable front passenger seat
• Height and tilt adjustable front headrest,
• Height and reach adjustable steering wheel
• Dual-zone climate control with rear air vents
• Automatic parking brake
• Body coloured, electric, heated and foldable side mirrors with side turn signal light
• Sun blinds for rear windscreen and side rear windows
• Tinted windows and windscreen
• Chrome exterior trim
• Black leather-trimmed upholstery with leather wrapped steering wheel and gear knob

The Renault Latitude Luxe adds:

• Bose Sound System
• Three-zone climate control with toxicity sensor and combined active carbon filter,
• Samsung Super Plasma air ioniser with fragrance diffuser
• Memory, heated, electronically adjustable driver’s seat with electric lumbar support and two-mode massage function
• Electronically height adjustable front passenger seat
• Panoramic electric glass sunroof
• Boot spoiler
• Electric, body coloured side view mirrors with reverse synchronisation linked to memory seat

Safety

Standard safety features for the Latitude include:

• Front and rear parking proximity sensors
• Anti-pinch electric windows, front and rear
• ABS with electronic brake force distribution
• Emergency brake assist and automatic activation of hazard warning lights
• ESP with ASR traction and understeer control
• Six airbags, including adaptive driver and front passenger airbags, two dual-chamber thorax-groin lateral airbags combined with twin side-impact sensors and two curtain airbags
• Three-point seat belts for all occupants
• Pretensioners and load limiters for front occupants
• Cruise control with Speed limiter
• Three child seat anchorage points for rear seats
• Auto windscreen wipers and auto headlights and fog lamps
• Day and Night rear view mirrors

The Latitude Luxe adds:

• Reversing camera integrated into the in dash satellite navigation display
• Tyre pressure monitoring system
• Electrochrome rear view mirror

Pricing

In both petrol and diesel form, the Renalt Latitude starts at $36,990. 

In top-shelf Luxe grade, the Latitude is priced from $42,490. 

The 2011 Renault Latitude is available now.

Note: prices are Manufacturer's List Price and do not include dealer delivery or on-road costs.