Laguna Coupe

Humphrey The Pug · Laguna Coupe

Drove the Laguna Coupe GT today, it was a 2.0 T Man.

It's a lovely car to look at, my only criticism is that it could perhaps be a little bit longer to stretch out the styling slightly, apart from that it looks the part.

Build quality out side is superb with every shutline consistant and the doors close with a lovely reassuring thud. Inside, the build is the same as the hatch, which is very good, everything is consistent the plastics feel good to the touch and there is real aluminium on the door cards and dash. The leather is proper leather and feels and smells really expensive. The steering wheel is a little thicker than the one on the hatch and has that nice soft spongy leather feel to it, lovely to hold. The only criticism interior wise is the alloy gearnob, it looks good but was freezing to the touch and after half an hours drive it was still cold.

The car drove really well and is a definate step up from the boggo hatch, the whole thing just felt more tight and planted and all of the major controls, pedals, steering and gear change moved with real precision and were nicely weighted, a definate step in the right direction and I hope that these sort of things filter down into the more standard models across all of the Renault range.

The 4 wheel steer was superb, in that on roundabouts and tight slow corners you could really feel it pulling you round and you didn't need as much steering input to carry out the manouvre. On long fast corners it just felt far more stable and direct with a distinct lack of body roll, a big thumbs up for the four wheel steer.

I was a bit dissapointed that the new V6 dCi wasn't available only the 2.0T, never the less with 205 hp it was by no means lacking and was extremely punchy with a nice smooth power delivery with not a hint of turbo lag, however the fuel consumption was a tad on the low side, the trainer has been getting an average 24-25mpg.

So on a whole a great car and I hope it succeeds, it deserves to but I can't help thinking that it will be one of those cars that Renault launches, only gets registered to dealers or RUK and ends up for sale 6 months later at half the list price, Renault are expecting to sell only 2000 a year in the UK so hopefully that will help to keep residuals up!

One last thing, in answer to some people wanting a photo of Piers' dad's Laguna GT with the rear wheels turned, they only turn when the car is in motion.

Nice Guy Eddie

In that case Piers you'll just have to lean out of the window whilst taking a roundabout at 60mph.

Good write up Humph, It does seem that Renault will struggle to get much interest in this car but as you say all the ones likely to sell will be the sole transport of dealership GM's.

The last premium French success was probably the 406 coupe and I kind of see a connection with this car so you never know.

Dr. Hfuhruhurr

One thing in its favour is that it's a really good-looking car; some people will buy it on looks alone. It looks especially nice from above, so perhaps you need to take people upstairs at the showroom?

Humphrey The Pug

Matt

Is your dealer SMC in Weybridge?

PR

I agree with your comments about the 4ws, Humph.

The thing that has impressed me driving the GT hatch is the effortlessness with which it can be threaded along. The control surfaces have a slight glassiness to them which takes some getting used to after the relatively hefty controls of BMWs but it's all very precise.

Having completed a few miles in my 320d loan car today, I can also state that the 2.0 dCi 180 seems slightly quicker than the BMW, although I have a 57-plate car with the less powerful engine and the scamper-style, apologetic turned down exhaust. There's nothing in it for refinement - they're both very good.

Humphrey The Pug

Humphrey The Pug

Matt

Humphrey The Pug

DaveGibson

Jasper

No. You should.

:-(

Frank Bullitt

I read the test in Car magazine today, and of course have read numerous other road tests and as-yet haven't read a bad word about the Laguna Coupe - it's an incredibly pretty car and unlike the hatch, which looks nasty from behind, looks great from all angles; a coupe must.

The only downside is sinking so much money into a Renault for those with over £20K to spend on a coupe - even people who prefer the Renault would probably go for the usual suspects as a default choice and fear of 'residuals'. Still, when Laguna GT's become dirt cheap in a few years they might be worth a punt.

Andy C

Nice write up. Would be interested to try this new 4 wheel steer.

Slightly off topic.. we had Renault at a function yesterday (big managers and the like I presumed) and I stopped one guy and asked him about the new hot Megane. He said all he could say was it's being released in July.

Does that sound about right Humphrey?

Humphrey The Pug

ALF

This is a very handsome car, and I for one hope it succeeds for that reason alone - there are too few truly nice looking cars below the level of very expensive sports cars. It is something of a modern day Peugeot Coupe, though probably not as arresting as that.

PS - give me a drive, and I'll show you the turbo lag... I'd be interested in how the engine compares with the VAG 2.0T, anyway...

simonp

Apologies for the tardy reply/resurrection. I went and had a nosy round my local dealer last night just to have a look what they had. I wanted to see if the old shape Meg had a larger boot than the Clio and it would seem not! The new (5 door) one does though at 372 litres, but the 3 door has a very deep and narrow opening. The 3 door is a good looking car and bodes well for the hot version. They need to colour-code the side mouldings, though when it's here. I was told that the biggest alloy option at the moment is a 17" when I commented that it looked a bit small rim/big arched, so get some 18s on the options list pronto Renault!

Also looked at the titular Laguna coupe in the showroom and thought it looked more handsome in the metal than in the pictures I've seen. The one they had was in dark grey metallic. Curiously, they never had a single hatchback Laguna for me to look at, but had a whole raft of Scenics (No thanks!).

"him"

Gurney

They now have a Laguna Coupe (in grey) pride of place in Renault Manchester, I see it every day. The fact that it still makes me stare says it all, it's a great shape though I agree it is a tad stubby. Really hope it does well, a V6 diesel would make an interesting continent muncher.

Ignoring the Brera 'S' I wouldn't hesitate in picking the Laguna over the Alfa offering.

Now there's an admission.

simonp