Renault has revealed more details of its redesigned European D-segment Laguna which competes with the likes of Ford’s Mondeo, Toyota’s Avensis and Peugeot’s 407 in the sub-luxury segment.
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There’s a lot of new model activity here just now – Ford is rolling out the redesigned Mondeo and GM Europe has a new Vectra on the way.
Renault has re-done the Laguna’s body and interior, and upgraded the suspension while retaining proven engines that have mostly been renewed in the last few years.
The new model has closer-ratio steering and uprated suspension while, according to the French automaker, “significant work has also gone into the tuning of its damping performance to ensure even greater driving pleasure and comfort”.
Powertrains again major on diesels including 130 and 175hp versions of the 2.0 dCi unit which can also be mated to automatic transmission, a combination growing in popularity in Europe.
Best performer, environment-wise, is the 110hp/81kW 1.5 dCi which sips as little as 5.1 litres/100km and emits 136g of CO2 per kilometre.
Petrol engine options include the jointly developed Renault/Nissan 145hp (103.4kW) 2.0 16V unit.
Safety equipment includes a claimed exclusive new-generation double lateral airbag (thorax + pelvis) which is based on a twin-chamber, dual pressure system triggered by two sensors located in the front door and B-pillar.
A specific algorithm adjusts the system’s deployment time as a function of the force of the impact.
Also new is an externally-controlled, high capacity air conditioner compressor that is capable of producing cold air particularly quickly.
Other new features include electronic parking brake, a centre console-mounted multi-media control and, for the wagon, a system that allows a flat load area-floor to be obtained at the push of a button.
Renault is stressing improved quality and reliability for its redesigned Laguna and said its target is for the new model to rank among the top three cars in its segment in terms of product and service quality. In addition to more stringent design and production processes that have been put into place, more than 120 new Lagunas were subjected to the equivalent of six million kilometres of testing.
The updated line will be displayed at September’s Frankfurt motor show and goes on sale from October.
