RENAULT HAS TODAY announced the launch of the full Laguna range in Australia, lowering the recommended retail price across the range and offering a revised warranty, upgraded from three-years/150,000km to three-years/unlimited kilometres.
This move coincides with the launch of the new Laguna Estate and petrol models.
The price of the entry-level Laguna Express Hatch has been reduced by $4000, while the Dynamique Estate and the range-topping 2.0 diesel, six-speed automatic Privilege Hatch have been reduced by $3500 and $1500 respectively.
“In addition to extremely high standards of safety and excellent equipment levels the Laguna range now offers even more value for money,” Renault Managing Director, Rudi Koenig said.
“The increase in warranty to include unlimited kilometers, over a three year period, shows just how robust the car is.”
Engine And Transmission
The 2.0 litre dCi engine forms the main power offering for the Laguna range, developing 110kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 340Nm as low as 2000rpm.
Fuel consumption for the six-speed manual version of the Laguna hatch 2.0 dCi is 6.0 l/100km on the combined cycle, with 158g/km of CO2 emission.
The ‘Pro-Active’ six-speed automatic model will return 7.0 l/100km with 185g/km of CO2 emissions.
The 2.0 dCi engine also complies with the Euro V pollutant thresholds, two years before the regulations are due to come into force.
The 2.0 litre turbo-charged petrol engine produces 125kW at 5000rpm and 270Nm of torque at 3250rpm, and is available with the Pro-Active six-speed automatic transmission.
The petrol engine returns a combined cycle fuel economy of 8.9 l/100km, with 210g/km of CO2 emissions.
To further assist environmentally-minded drivers, manual diesel versions are fitted with a dash-mounted gearshift indicator called ‘Eco-Shift’, which advises the driver of the best gear to select to optimise fuel consumption.
The Laguna hatch range now consists of an Expression and Privilege diesel-auto combination, an Expression diesel-manual model and automatic-petrol Expression and Privilege models.
The Laguna Estate is an ‘auto only’ model in Expression petrol and diesel variants along with a diesel-powered Dynamique model.
Eight model variants in total are available.
Driving
Renault claims a responsive chassis with high-precision steering, with a lower steering ratio and stiffer driving column to give the Laguna enhanced handing in the bends.
Renault put over 120 Laguna prototypes through six million kilometres of durability testing in extreme conditions across Europe, Argentina and Malaysia, with more than 30,000 kilometres clocked up in various Australian regions.
Click here to read TMR’s review of the 2008 Renault Laguna Privilege dCi Hatch.
Design And Dimensions
Renault describes the Laguna as a dynamic, elegant design, with streamlined optical headlights, a long sloping bonnet, and plunging shoulder lines.
The Laguna hatch is 4.69 metres long and 1.81 metres wide, making it 36mm wider and 10mm longer than its predecessor. Despite its larger dimensions, the Laguna hatch is also 15kg lighter than the previous model.
The new Laguna can be had with either 16 or 18-inch alloy wheels, depending on the model and options package.
Interior Features
Inside, the Laguna offers Renault’s ‘Soft-Auto-Fast’ programmed air-conditioning controls, allowing climate control settings to be customised to suit your preferences.
Standard features of the Expression Hatch and Estate include cruise control with speed limiter, automatic parking brake, leather steering wheel and gear knob, integrated rear side door sunblind, dual-zone climate control with carbon and odour filter, ‘carbon’ cloth upholstery, and a 4×30W single CD, AM/FM radio with MP3 CD reader with satellite audio controls.
Additional features (over Expression) for the Privilege Hatch interior include beige leather-trimmed upholstery with electrically adjustable heated front seats, electrochrome rear view mirror and a 4×50W dash-mounted 6 stack CD AM/FM radio with MP3 CD reader.
In addition to the Laguna Expression’s features, the Dynamique Estate has a dark-carbon, part-leather/part-Alcantara® interior with a 4×50W dash mounted 6-CD changer, AM/FM radio with MP3 CD reader and a electrochrome rear-view mirror.
Exterior Features
The Laguna Expression hatch and Estate includes 16-inch alloy wheels, body-coloured door mirrors (heated) and door handles, while the Dynamique Estate offers 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking proximity sensors, chrome window surrounds and auto-folding door mirrors.
The Laguna Privilege features include rear parking proximity sensors, 18″ alloy wheels, chrome window surrounds, xenon directional headlamps with headlamp washers and auto-folding mirrors.
Safety
The 2009 Renault Laguna range features a twin-sensor, twin-chamber side-impact airbag, designed to protect the occupants’ thorax and pelvis.
Standard across the range are ESP, ABS, and Electronic Brake Assist.
Optional bi-xenon directional headlights (standard on the Privilege Hatch) adjust according to the speed of the car and the steering angle, providing up to 90 percent more light through corners than regular halogen lamps.
The Dynamique Estate and Privilege Hatch also feature a tyre pressure warning system.
The Expression Hatch and Estate include ESP, ABS and Electronic Brake Distribution with ASR traction control, dual front and rear side airbags and curtain airbags.
As for pricing, a recent ruling by the ACCC that requires manufacturers to provide a full ‘drive away’ price for vehicles has resulted in many manufacturers choosing not to list prices for their vehicles, instead asking buyers to contact their local dealer for a quote. TMR will report more on this development shortly.
