- Doors and Seats
4 doors, 5 seats
- Engine
2.0i, 4 cyl.
- Engine Power
83kW, 168Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (91) 7.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
FWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
2 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2008 Renault Laguna First Steer
Like all things French the all-new Renault Laguna is a little idiosyncratic – but also like all things European these days it’s being launched on the Australian market with diesel power first – petrol will come later.
- David Twomey
The initial offerings on the Australian market will be the 2.0-litre diesel powered car with six-speed automatic gearbox in either Expression (base) or Privilege (top) spec.
These models, priced at $44,490 and 50,690 respectively, will be joined in September by the rest of the range, which will start at $41,990 with an Expression 2.0-litre diesel with six-speed manual gearbox.
There will also be an Expression 2.0-litre turbo petrol model with a six-speed auto at $42,490 and a Privilege petrol powered model at $48,690.
In addition in September the Laguna Estate, only available with the six-speed auto, will also arrive with Expression petrol costing $45,490, Expression diesel $47,490 and the Dynamique diesel costing $50,690.
The new Laguna, which still uses a refined version of the previous Laguna’s chassis, is a natural competitor amongst the Euros for the likes of Volkswagen’s strong selling Passat range.
The styling is all new – although a little bland – but on the up side there’s a totally new, and quite nicely crafted interior, and impressively, the car is 15kg lighter, on average, than the old model despite being bigger, stronger and better equipped.
The 2.0-litre diesel engine currently on offer produces 110kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm at 2000rpm. It’s a new generation of engine for Renault which was first seen here last year in 1.5-litre guise in the Kangoo van.
The hatch’s diesel engine offers very good fuel efficiency of 6.0L/100km for the six-speed manual and 7.0L/100km for the automatic.
Fitted with a variable-vane geometry turbocharger (VGT) and diesel particulate filter, emissions are 158g/km of CO2 for the manual and 185g/km of CO2 for the automatic and the engine is compliant with the Euro 5 standards, which don’t come into force for another two years.
In the driver’s seat, initial impressions were promising. The cabin is clearly laid out and the car rides well, dealing with uneven Australian road surfaces capably. It’s more luxurious and refined than before, and there is little in the way of engine noise, even under full throttle.
We were less than impressed by the steering, however. It not only lacked feel, but was also imprecise.
Driving on some excellent roads outside of Adelaide we soon found that when changing direction quickly, the Laguna proved clumsy – a surprise given the composed ride. Thankfully, the brakes are far better, bringing the car to a halt quickly and without fuss.
Starting, using Renault’s (in)famous card key and a starter button, certainly reveals oil-burning activity up front, but the 2.0 dCi is pretty subdued, even if the noises it makes are distinctly diesel.
It’s quiet overall, and impressively so at high speeds, where it feels reassuringly well-planted too. It should make a great long distance tourer.
Also good is interior space, up front, in the rear and the boot (it’s a bit shallow but long), the control layout, the infotainment system and its pleasingly clear control cluster.
The attractive, business-like cabin, the space and high-speed quiet are all strong suits, as is the engine’s solid urge and the promise of economical operation – we averaged 8.4L/100km over our short-ish but reasonably brisk drive route.
Potential buyers may also be attracted to the hatchback facility that’s not universal in this class, but seems to be making something of a revival.
Renault expects to sell a relatively modest 450 new Lagunas a year, made up of 300 hatchbacks and 150 Estates, although Renault Australia spokesman, Craig Smith, admits that the company is not sure of the final mix between Estate and hatch and also between petrol and diesel.