Renault Laguna III:  More Luxury, Lower Service Costs

Motoring Channel Staff - 5/June/2007

Boulogne-Billancourt, France — The 2008 Renault Laguna - or 'Laguna III', or even 'New Laguna' as it's being referred to - has just broken cover and it shows off an entirely daring new look. 

Will drivers embrace this new style? Renault is banking on it as its mid-sized car is an important money spinner, but there's more to the new model than just a bold design. 

One innovative feature is a new-generation 'double lateral' airbag (that protects the thorax and pelvis) that uses a twin-chamber, dual pressure system to better protect passengers in the event of a crash. The New Laguna will rival vehicles such as the Peugeot 407, Volkswagen Passat and Ford Mondeo, and will feature an electronic park brake, and an advanced information input system called the 'drive-station', not unlike Audi's MMI or BMW's iDrive systems. 

Renault is keen to raise the public perception of its new Laguna, and hopes to do so with a combination of luxury, highly efficient and environmentally friendly engines, and the 'unique' exterior design.

The French car maker also claims to have paid a high amount of attention to running costs, and it wants to have one of the most cost-effective European cars on the market. Efficient engines help in lowering running costs, and Renault also points to stringent design and production processes that have been put into place (and a gruelling 6,000,000 kilometre testing regime) to improve reliability and reduce servicing costs.

The New Laguna was officially unveiled to the public at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. It is scheduled to go on sale in Europe from October 2007.

Advanced Interior

Renault has invested a lot of cash on the New Laguna's interior, and it shows. There's a more refined finish to the cabin which as Renault explains features a blend of high-grade materials that create a higher-than-normal sense of quality and comfort. 

As well as luxury-tuned suspension, Renault says its new mid-sized car sets new acoustic comfort standards. Three factors have led to making the New Laguna the most silent-running saloon in its segment claims the French car maker: 

Reduced engine-generated noise, especially at low revs
Dampening of road-induced noise
Reduced wind noise at high speeds

With this redesigned interior, Renault has revealed its improved "drive-station" input system for front passengers (like the BMW iDrive system), which now encompass an electronic parking brake, and a second-generation hands-free phone system. 

The 'Initiale' trim level aims to appeal to the broadest possible clientele thanks to its wood and high quality leather finish and is available in a choice of either dark charcoal or a lighter hue, while the Alcantara (suede) leather upholstery of Dynamique versions combines with metallic accents for sportier ambiance. Even moreso, the Dynamique models get a flat-section steering wheel (a la Golf GTI) and the seats have more pronounced lateral support according to Renault.

Estate (wagon) versions of the New Laguna feature a newly developed system that allows a flat boot-floor to be obtained at the push of a button, which should appease the family buyers and those who need optimum boot space.

Safety has also been a priority for Renault, which is clearly excited to be revealing for the first time a new-generation 'double lateral' airbag (thorax and pelvis) which is based on a twin-chamber, dual pressure system. This new type of airbag is triggered by two sensors located in the front door and B-pillar, and rather than just deploying as is, a specific algorithm adjusts the system's deployment time as a function of the force of the impact.

French Exterior Design

There's no denying the New Laguna's design is confronting, but Renault is confident this original design will appeal to trend-setting drivers, and it refers to the car's 'refined lines' as being carefully crafted to create a dynamic, fluid, and appealing design.

Renault says the new model has been meticulously designed which not only gives it a dynamic look, but also improves the standard of fit and finish and perceived quality outside as well as in the cabin.

Measuring 4.69 metres long, the New Laguna's main rivals will be the Ford Mondeo, Peugeot 407, and Volkswagen Passat, three cars that are already pushing the boundaries of design and innovative features. As Renault explains, the New Laguna's front end features sweeping headlamps, a long, steeply-raked bonnet and large grille. 

Renault talks about the naturally balanced proportions, a dynamic stance, and plunging shoulder lines that combine to fulfil the New Laguna's design template. Chrome highlights around the windows provide status-enhancing class and together with its 16- to 18-inch alloy wheels, the new Laguna sits confidently on the road. 

New LED rear lights add a technical touch the car's rear end, and higher performance versions will benefit from twin chrome exhaust tailpipes.

The wagon or Estate version of the New Laguna likewise features a steeply-raked rear screen, while the generous glazed area of the rearmost side windows further accentuates the newcomer's assertive looks, and looks better than the sometimes odd Peugeot 407 Estate. 

Impeccable handling

New Laguna's responsive chassis stands out as one of the best on the market in terms of both steering precision and control of cornering roll thanks essentially to the new model's closer-ratio steering and uprated suspension. Significant work has also gone into the tuning of its damping performance to ensure even greater driving pleasure and comfort.

Efficient Engines

Renault has focussed on making the New Laguna efficient and prestigious in its home markets, and as a result it has unveiled 4-cylinder engines only at this stage all of which are matched to 6-speed auto and manual transmissions. Larger and more powerful 6-cylinder engines are expected, but they will most likely arrive after the cars initial October 2007 European launch.

Renault says the petrol range will be 'built up gradually', but will begin with a pair of 2.0-litre 16-valve 4-cylinder engines jointly-developed with Nissan. This entry level unit generates 103kW (145hp) and there's also a turbocharged model that increases power to 125kW (170hp).

The diesel range of engines are expected to be more popular in Europe, beginning with the 1.5-litre dCi, which delivers 81kW (110hp) and according to Renault this engine manages to strike the segment's best balance between performance and fuel consumption. It has an average fuel consumption rate of 5.1 litres/100km, which is about the same as a some (much smaller) Asian hybrid petrol-electric cars, and oil changes are only required every 30,000km.

There's also a range of three 2.0-litre dCi motors, developing 96kW (130hp), 110kW (150hp), and 127kW (175hp). The 'middle' 110kW diesel engine will be available with 6-speed Proactive automatic transmission explains Renault, adding that all the 2.0-litre diesel engines feature a low inertia, variable geometry turbo and ultra-fast glow plugs.

Revised Ride & Handling

Though the New Laguna is being touted as a prestige car, Renault claims that the new model will surpass the performance of its predecessor, with a number of changes that directly affect specific body roll parameters. The front and rear suspension stiffness has uprated by 20% and 50% respectively, and higher performance anti-roll bars also improve its cornering ability. 

For enhanced driving pleasure along twisty roads explains Renault, the New Laguna also features closer-ratio steering, and at the same time specific work was carried out on the dampers to ensure a remarkably comfortable ride. The new model's weight has been carefully contained to ensure it responds in a linear fashion, and it is the first new Renault to be lighter than its predecessor after shedding an average 15kg across the range.

In addition to the outstanding handling afforded by its chassis, Renault has added a number of driving aids to the packing, including new generation ABS technology with ESP and electronic Emergency Brake Assist. Braking performance has also been increased, and Renault even went as far to say that these improvements put the New Laguna at the very top end of its class.

Passive safety is often a high priority for European car makers, and the new Renault mid-sizer is no different, with new 'double lateral' airbags on offer. Furthermore, side impact protection has been improved thanks to the car's advanced electronic architecture, which has evolved to permit occupant protection systems to be triggered sooner.

After rigorous testing across multiple continents and covering some 6 million kilometres, Renault is confident the New Laguna will be on of the best mid-sized buys, which it claims will be mainly due to low running and servicing costs. Built at the Sandouville factory in France, the company says it has introduced more stringent inspection processes which will ensure that vehicles are more effectively protected while in the factory, and then static and dynamic tests, as well as electronic diagnostics, are then performed on each and every vehicle that leaves the plant.

Related articles:
- Renault Mégane Sport 225 (Road Test)
- Renault Sport Clio 182 Cup (Road Test)
- Renault R27 F1 Race Car (2007)
- Renault Mégane F1 Team R26 (2007)
- Renault Twingo (concept)
- Renault Koleos (concept)