Tuesday 18th November 2008

Renault Laguna Coupe

Alisdair Suttie drives Renault's new 150mph Laguna Coupe...

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Remember Renault’s last foray into the coupe market with the Avantime? It sold less than 400 in the UK during an inglorious year or so on the books and has now trundled off into curio-obscurity. Renault’s new offering to the two-door fastback style gods is the Laguna Coupe.

This car is off to a far more promising start than its predecessor simply by not being based on a roly-poly MPV platform. Using the half decent Laguna hatch as its starting point, Renault has come up with a production version of its Laguna Coupe Concept. No one bar perhaps Renault’s crayon-wielder-in-chief, Patrick Le Quement, would say the final road car is anywhere near as pretty as the concept, but the production version is still a sleek and pretty design.

There’s a host of clever details in the shape, from the Aston-esque rear lights (and front grille at a push) through to the slinky silver grille at the front. In profile, the Laguna Coupe is a cracker, though from some other angles it doesn’t quite gel together in the way a Mazda RX-8 or Volkswagen Scirocco does. No problem, says Renault, as it reckons the Laguna Coupe will be taking on the likes of Audi’s A5 and the BMW 3-Series. Um, how can we put this politely? No, it won’t.

For starters, where the Germans come up trumps on the ride and handling combo, the Laguna Coupe has not decided where it sits in the equation. The ride is just too firm and jittery on smooth roads, while more creased surfaces show up an underlying paucity of control in the suspension that translates into stuttering progress. This was far more noticeable in the 3.5-litre V6 petrol model we tried than the 3.0 V6 dCi turbodiesel, though the diesel was still not as composed as a Scirocco.

Come to a corner and the Laguna Coupe redeems itself with grip that shows little sign of giving up unless the driver has no imagination of the consequences. The standard ESP keeps its nose out, even during keen driving, and only comes into play when matters get out of hand.

Much more of a hindrance was the ABS that cut in too early and sent the hazard warning lights flashing as the car was too readily fooled into mistaking hard braking for an emergency stop. The steering doesn’t have as much feel as a Mazda RX-8’s or BMW 3-Series Coupe’s, but if you consider the Renault as more of a grand tourer than sports coupe, you won’t be so disappointed.

What will disappoint you, regardless of whether you want a sporty coupe or one for serious mileage, is the automatic gearbox fitted as standard to the V6-powered models. The diesel has 235bhp and 332lb ft of shove from just 1500rpm to cover up the six-speed auto’s shortcomings, but the 240bhp petrol 3.5 V6 only accentuates the box’s sluggish behaviour.

Use the manual override on a twisty road to change down a gear and it takes so long to respond so that you’re halfway through the corner when it does and you don’t want the sudden lurch of a downchange. Throw in performance that’s adequate in the petrol (0-62mph in 7.4 seconds and 153mph) and acceptable in the diesel (0-62mph in 7.3 seconds and 151mph) and the Laguna Coupe is no keen driver’s delight.

When the Laguna Coupe hits UK roads at the start of 2009, there will also be the choice of a 205bhp 2.0-litre turbo petrol and 2.0-litre turbodiesels in 150 and 180bhp guises. These models will be the bigger sellers and more attractive driving propositions with their six-speed manual gearboxes. The 2.0-litre petrol and 150bhp diesel will be offered in standard Coupe trim, which includes climate control, CD stereo, eight airbags, rear parking sensors and 18in alloy wheels. Or, you can go for the GT.

The Laguna Coupe GT comes with a choice of the two V6 engines, and 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol and 180bhp diesel engines. These models come with leather seats, keyless entry and ignition, and an electric parking brake, but the biggest addition is the 4Control chassis. It’s the same as used in the hatchback Laguna GT, where the rear wheels can steer by up to 3.5-degrees to help the car park more easily or turn more keenly into a corner.

During our time with the car, it certainly made the Laguna Coupe feel more nimble through corners than its four-seater size and 1500kg-plus kerb weight would suggest. The only problem is the cheapest Coupe GT model starts at £24,345 and that is perilously close to many more able coupe rivals.

A greater attraction will be the entry-level 2.0 dCi 150 at £20,995, which has all of the interior space and looks of the other models, but at a significantly lower price. This model also manages reasonable carbon dioxide emissions, so company drivers will be steering towards this version. Will the pricing of the Laguna Coupe help it join the Avantime in coupe obscurity? No, but it may well be a rare sight on UK roads.

[ScoobieWRX]

Every Laguna i have driven has been rubbish, specially the convertible with more scuttle shake than an industrial wheat hopper. The back end smacks of Aston Martin and that's absolutely fine.....if it's an Aston Martin, not a fugly Laguna!!

Awful looking car and likely won't be any better to drive than any of it's predecessors!!

IMHO Nil points!!

[lionrampant]

Shame it's turned out to be a bit of a pup - it has some rather nice lines. I suppose they're heading in the right direction if nothing else.

[Saabstudent]

ScoobieWRX said:

Every Laguna i have driven has been rubbish, specially the convertible with more scuttle shake than an industrial wheat hopper. The back end smacks of Aston Martin and that's absolutely fine.....if it's an Aston Martin, not a fugly Laguna!!

Awful looking car and likely won't be any better to drive than any of it's predecessors!!

IMHO Nil points!!

Laguna Convertible you say? New to me...
Anyway, i recently drove the hatch version of the new laguna, and it was a massive disappointment, even if the owner did warn me of such facts. I can only hope the Coupe is a little better?

Nevertheless i think it looks quite good, esp in the flesh, and kudos to Renault for doing it - even if i do suspect that it will go the same way as the Avantime etc.

G

[sparkster8]

You just wouldn't would you ? Ok so go for a good looking coupe even if dynamics aren't the most important thing. Oh hang on the Alfa Brera & GT have that sewn up with their stunning looks.

Is this the new Fuego (remember that ?) ?? I cannot see any reason to go for one of these with so many better alternatives out there. The front of these recent Lagunas really are a dogs breakfast as well. I imagine that it's not a bad car but it could/should be so much more...........

[ScoobieWRX]

Saabstudent said:

ScoobieWRX said:

Every Laguna i have driven has been rubbish, specially the convertible with more scuttle shake than an industrial wheat hopper. The back end smacks of Aston Martin and that's absolutely fine.....if it's an Aston Martin, not a fugly Laguna!!

Awful looking car and likely won't be any better to drive than any of it's predecessors!!

IMHO Nil points!!

Laguna Convertible you say? New to me...
Anyway, i recently drove the hatch version of the new laguna, and it was a massive disappointment, even if the owner did warn me of such facts. I can only hope the Coupe is a little better?

Nevertheless i think it looks quite good, esp in the flesh, and kudos to Renault for doing it - even if i do suspect that it will go the same way as the Avantime etc.

G

Quite right!!...i meant megane convertible which i hired on one occaision mistakingly thinking it was going to be a nice ride with a bit of zip...but they all drive very similarly and the Laguna's i've hired in Spain through no choice of my own on two occaisions were bloody awful. Some of the local roads are pretty crap mind and i suppose the soft suspension did a good job of soaking up the bumps but that's about it. I'd have prefered a Focus or Mundano!!

Edited by ScoobieWRX on Tuesday 18th November 14:41

[The Milfman]

sparkster8 said:

I imagine that it's not a bad car but it could/should be so much more...........

And so much less in price!! Renault are having a laugh at that sort of money!!

[shadowninja]

Wow! Compare that to the rear end of the Laguna. It's like two different manufacturers were involved.

[GTiDog]

Being a fan of french cars, I've always been into their outlandish styling and slightly odd tendancies.

With this in mind, I think the new laguna coupe is a thing of pure beauty...definitely over the grimace-faced peugeot 407 coupe!

I'm slightly disappointed to hear about the crap auto box but being a renault, that doesn't altogether surprise me.

Let's hope they equippe the british one with a nice 6 speed manual, then I'll have one!

[dave71]

I wouldn't say no; a good match for the 406, but not any Audi/BMW. Would like to see BTCC version/tweaked a la Megane R

[Bizzle]

The back is... dare i say it... DB9-esq?

[BlueCello]

I think it will look good when Renaultsport have had a go at it, which it would be follish if they didn't. That metallic yellow/gold, some decals, black alloys, should be a cracker

[griffdude]

sparkster8 said:

You just wouldn't would you ? Ok so go for a good looking coupe even if dynamics aren't the most important thing. Oh hang on the Alfa Brera & GT have that sewn up with their stunning looks.

Is this the new Fuego (remember that ?) ??

The main competition is who will depreciate the fastest???

ps my Dad had a white Fuego with an orange & brown interior which was deservedly puked in on the way back from a school disco.....
Became the Phew-go.

[Peter_1980]

I'm sorry, the first reply says he has driven a Laguna convertible and then corrects himself to Megane. Well that's really releveant to this car isnt it?! Great posting.

IMO, you really have to choose what you compare this car to. It isnt a sports car, it will never be a sports car, and it isnt sold as a sports car.

I work for a car hire company where we get a whole host of different models. You are best off comparing this to Mondeo, Vectra - the bog standard boring cars which you would only ever get if you had to choose one as a company car and were forced.

Compared to the examples I mention the Laguna is a relatively nice place to be inside, doesnt handle any better or worse than Mondeo/Vectra and, at least the ones we have, appear to be better spec'd for the money.

Really, looking at this range of boring cars you are arguing the difference between st and ste.

All IMHO.

Peter

ETA: I have also driven the Megane cc and the Laguna hatch and they drive nothing alike whatsoever, so I still dont get the first poster's point, even after his correction.

ETA again - On re-reading I can see how this appears I am going off on one in my first sentence. No abuse intended, I just got a little riled! As you were!

Edited by Peter_1980 on Tuesday 18th November 18:19

Edited by Peter_1980 on Tuesday 18th November 18:21

[jrwoodgate]

its a good looking car, with a range of versatile, powerful engines. How on earth can you possibly compare a vectra on mondeo to that? its like trying to compare a garden spade to an ipod.

let me remind you....the top of the range vectra costs £27 K!! so how can you complain on price considering the laguna is fitted with a more responsive, powerful engine, is FANTASTIC build quality and is genuinely an all round good car? I have had the priviledge of working for both renault and vauxhall....and renualts that are being built today are of such high quality its incredible. So...in the article where the author mentions its idiotic to compare the laguna to an audi or a BMW, you seriosly need to re-consider that statement.

So before anyone else cares to give their opinion on the car, why not pay a visit to your local dealer at the beggining of the new year and drive one, and i dare you to doubt the quality, looks and performance of the vechile.

Sorry about the rant but im fed up of the negative comments from people who havent even seen the car in the flesh let alone driven it.

[ScoobieWRX]

NO offence taken

In anycase and only IMHO i think Renaults are ste, and over the last 25yrs i have never ever enjoyed driving a single one. Also IMHO i think the Megane and Laguna drive very similarly, in fact they all have a certain same same feel to the driving experience. Maybe it's just a family trait.

However.....there's no doubt who they've blatantly copied the back end off...n'est-ce pas??

[Basil Hume]

Renault are the ones soliciting comparison with the likes of Audi and BMW (they have been for some time, starting with the Mk2 Laguna), although the reality is a little more staid.

I think it's a good-looking car and will probably sell reasonably if discounted; the larger engines would be more popular with a manual option. IMO there's a gap in the market for a Peugeot 406-alike Coupe that hasn't quite been filled. The Nissan Z, RX8 and Scirocco take the ground of the much-missed Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo, but what's to replace the 406 Coupe as a GT? (...not the 407 IMO).

Edited by Basil Hume on Tuesday 18th November 19:05

[collateral]

There's already a country making German cars - it's called Germany

The French should make French cars.

[f111lover]

It's a very good looking car IMO, and the new Renault diesels are fantastic. I'm sure it will be a good car although I've a few reservations about the price.
Incidentally, I've been a Scooby WRX driver for many years, and also own a Megane CC, on a twisty country road the Scooby can't be beat, but I know what I'd rather be in to drive 500 miles.

[bazking69]

Renault have dropped a bk with the new Laguna IMO. At least the old one was half decent looking, the new one is simply a total hash and looks awful. Doing a coupe version has done little to make it pretty; it's certainly no 407 Coupe to look at, or even 406 Coupe...

So just a few thoughts.

1. Who is going to buy a 3.5 V6 Laguna? Seriously.
2. Who is going to spend that sort of money on a hideous car
3. It will be worth about £5k when the 3 year warranty runs out.
4. Does anyone seriously think that Renault have addressed and sorted out the reliability and electrical issues that have dogged all Lagunas of late?
5. What the hell that is front grille all about?

Edited by bazking69 on Wednesday 19th November 08:55

[mattbvw]

[quote=bazking69]
4. Does anyone seriously think that Renault have addressed and sorted out the reliability and electrical issues that have dogged all Lagunas of late?
5. What the hell that is front grille all about?
[quote]

Yes, the new ones are a million miles better in build and perceived quality (i.e. the interior) compared to the previous versions. I have owned both types. Have a sit in an Isignia (Car of The Year - how?) and then get in the Laguna and tell me it is not a better designed and quality interior.

Grille - I think it looks like the DB7 Zagato? Personally, I think the car looks stunning (I have seen one in the flesh). It is clearly a GT rather than a sports coupe. I'm sure it'll not sell in large volumes, but for what it is, I like it.