Renault Laguna News

Volvo rates as best-of-the-best in a new listing of the safest cars in Australian showrooms, with Mitsubishi tailing the field. The Swedish maker has done the job with its newest model, the impressive new XC60, edging out a classy bunch of five-star cars. But Mitsubishi's outdated Express van trails in a miserable

There are few more glamorous events than the Cannes Film Festival and the Monaco Grand Prix. That is why Renault chose these two A-list occasions to unveil its Laguna coupe, before its official Paris motor show debut in October.The coupe has already been seen testing in Australia, along with the new Laguna hatch, which goes on sale this month.The coupe is firmly in Renault Australia's sights, says spokesman Craig Smith. He says it would be a perfect star car in the Renault line-up, but he could not confirm specification, a likely price or when it could arrive.“We have to justify some numbers to France,” Smith says. “But we'd love to get it.”He says the Laguna coupe could be aimed at Peugeot 407 coupe and Alfa Romeo GT buyers, which means pricing from $55,000 if it reaches this country.Renault has tried to give the coupe a technological point of difference with a new active chassis and four-wheel steering, shared with the GT sedan and similar to systems used by Honda.The swoopy front-wheel-drive coupe gets two new V6 petrol and diesel engines.In Europe it will also be available with 2.0-litre petrol and diesel engines.Australia will probably stick to the performance V6s, a 3.0-litre dCi and 3.5-litre petrol that deliver zero to 100km/h times of less than seven seconds. The V6 dCi delivers 175kW/450Nm. The V6 petrol has 178kW/330Nm. Both engines are mated to a AJ0 six-speed automatic sequential transmission built by Jatco.The coupe is a full four-seater and is close to the concept car revealed at last year's Frankfurt motor show.The production car shares some design features with the new Laguna hatch. Compared with the hatch, it is slightly shorter, wider and lower. At 2690mm, it sits on a 66mm shorter wheelbase. The four-seater is 4640mm long and 1830mm wide. In keeping with its sleek profile, the car is 1400mm high.The proportions are nicely balanced. A character line from the grille rises into the shoulder line and sweeps into the rear hatch, underpinning the coupe's design cohesiveness.At the front, designers have created a purposeful air with a wide under-bumper air intake, long bonnet and new headlight design.At the back, the car has a stumpy but broad rear end and slimline LED tail-lights.The four-wheel-steering system was developed jointly by Renault engineers and Renault Sport Technologies and is designed to enhance performance, stability and agility.At low speeds, the active drive chassis and four-wheel-steering system enhance manoeuvrability. The turning circle is 10.8m. 

New French cars are doing it tough Down Under.The top-secret prototypes were seen in Townsville this week as they completed a Down Under durability trial, part of a regular test program in Australia for all the French carmaker's new models.The cars were heavily disguised. All badges had been removed and false panels covered noses and tails, but they were the Laguna Coupe and the successor to the current Megane hatchback.The two-door Laguna is expected to break cover next month at the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix but the Megane will not be ready for showrooms until late next year.The delay on local deliveries will probably be 12 to 18 months for both cars.Renault Australia refused to confirm the identity of the cars, or even any involvement in a program with the Megane and Laguna Coupe, but their escort was a giveaway.They were pictured leaving a Townsville motel after an overnight stop with the latest Renault Koleos four-wheel drive, undisguised, carrying the support crew for the French engineering team.“We do not discuss future products,” Renault Australia spokesman Craig Smith says.But he admits Renault is using Australia to test its future models, for final certification and advanced engineering on hand-built prototypes.“Every product we bring out in Australia from now on will have an element of local testing,” he says. “The new Laguna did about 30,000km of testing in Australia before it was launched in Europe.”The five-door Laguna hatch will be in showrooms here in June, first with a diesel engine as the company's local flagship.It will be followed several months later by a petrol-engined model. The Laguna Estate wagon will go on sale in September.Testing of the Laguna Coupe is part of the car's durability certification, which includes hot-weather running and trials on rough-road conditions with cars built on the regular production line in the build-up to full capacity.The Megane will probably be an engineering prototype, hand-built and undergoing much more fundamental test work.The car is at least 12 months from its European debut, though it could break cover at the Paris Motor Show in October.Smith was more open about the Koleos, which Renault Australia will introduce to the Australian motoring press in Morocco next month.“The Koleos will be on sale here in September,” he says. “It will be available in petrol and diesel, starting at just over $30,000.”

In only a few months the new Renault Laguna will arrive. But Renault Australia is casting its net wider after the French carmaker showed off the new GT version in Europe.“We're looking at it, but it's too early to confirm either way,” Renault Australia spokesman Craig Smith says.“The success of the new Laguna launch will be a big factor.”If the Laguna is a sales success, the GT could be here by the middle of next year.In Europe, the GT has an 'active drive' chassis with four-wheel steering and the choice of two high-performance engines; the 134kW/400Nm 2.0-litre dCi turbo-diesel and the 152kW/300Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol.If Renault Australia were to decide to bring in either version, the five-seater could sit comfortably above the Clio RenaultSport.The active-drive chassis and four-wheel steering provide enhanced levels of roadholding, secure emergency braking and high-speed manoeuvrability.Visually, Renault has adopted a less-is-more approach. The GT has no garish go-fast enhancements. Instead, there's a deeper grille, twin exhausts, sports alloys and a premium interior.The car's subtle character is underpinned by lateral air intakes and headlights with black masks.The Laguna GT sits on specific, generously sized 225/45 18-inch Bridgestone Potenza tyres, which had their origins in Formula One, and the special Celsium wheels barely conceal 320mm diameter discs at the front and 300mm discs at the rear.Inside there's pale grey alcantara and leather sports seats, cross-drilled aluminium pedals, a sports gearshift lever and a special steering wheel.The GT's turbo-diesel and turbo-petrol engines are geared for performance. The 2.0-litre dCi delivers its peak power at 3750 revs and peak torque comes in at 2000 revs. The 2.0-litre petrol turbo delivers peak power at 5000 revs and peak torque from 3000 revs.The petrol engine is derived from Renault Sport technology, as featured on Megane RS, but specifically optimised for Laguna GT.The 110kW/340Nm 2.0-litre Laguna dCi goes on sale in August, the petrol models in September. 

Renault MD Rudi Koenig unveiled the new Laguna Estate as the cornerstone and product flagship of the French brand, with its emphasis on safety.

A hectic 2007 proved to be lucrative for the car industry with a plethora of new cars launched and more than a million sales throughout the year. And there's no indication that it will be slowing down in 2008.AUDI The new A4, to rival the 3 Series and C-Class is expected here about April, while July will see the hot sports wagon, the RS6 Avant and the A3 Cabrio. Extra A5 variants will follow. BMWBMW has a busy year ahead, starting with the 320d and 335i touring this month. The 1 Series Coupe will go on sale around April, followed by the convertible in May-June. But its big one for the year will be the new X6 Sports Activity Coupe, arriving between July and September. It comes with three engine variants, all twin-turbo, an in-line six, a 3.0-litre diesel and a 300kW 4.4-litre V8. Pricing is expected to start at just under $100,000. And the X5 scores a new engine in February, with the first variable twin turbo diesel offered in the range. CHRYSLER/JEEPJanuary will be a busy month for Chrysler, with the Sebring Cabrio and Grand Voyager people mover both arriving in Australia. The Jeep Cherokee will also get a total makeover. CITROENBased on the C4 Picasso, but bigger and better equipped, Citroen will introduce the Berlingo van between July and September, with a mainly diesel range. This will make room in the line-up for the new Nemo small van mid-year. The C5 will also get a new V6 diesel engine.FERRARIDeliveries of the exquisite F430 Scuderia, priced at about $550,000, will start mid year. Only about 40 will come to Australia and New Zealand. FIAT The reincarnation of the 1960s Bambino will arrive in March, but Fiat has already sold the first four months' supply. The new Fiat 500 will have three engine choices, a 1.2-litre petrol, a 75kW 1.4-litre petrol engine or a 56kW 1.3-litre turbo diesel. Pricing is expected to start from $22,000. The new Ritmo will join the Fiat 500 in March with pricing from $30,000. FORD One of the biggest launches for the year will be the new Falcon. Ford will release details of the new model in February and it's expected to be followed by an unveiling at the Melbourne motor show in the same month, with the official launch around May.FPV FPV will start the year with a new model, the hot turbo Territory, known as the F6 X model. It's the first non-Falcon model from FPV, with 270kW and 550Nm. The FPV Falcon range will also arrive this year. HOLDEN/CADILLACWith Ford's big year planned, you can't expect Holden to keep quiet. But so far, Holden has only announced it is expecting the VE Sportwagon, due in the first half of the year. GM-Holden is also introducing Cadillac with the first model due late in 2008. HONDA Honda will start the year with the new Accord model, due to be launched in February. The small Jazz is also getting an update after the middle of the year. Details on the new generation will be released closer to the launch. The Accord Euro is also expected to arrive later this year. HYUNDAI No big launches just yet, although an upgraded Sonata is expected mid year. JAGUARJaguar's major release for the year will be the new XF in June, with pricing expected to start from $105,000. It will be available in a V6 diesel, as well as a V6 and V8 petrol. KIAPreviewed at the Sydney motor show last year, Kia will launch its new seven-seater Rondo crossover in February. It is expected to start from as low as the mid-$20,000 mark. LEXUSNew for Lexus will be the LX570 around April or May, followed by the IS-F towards the end of the year. Details still to come. MAZDAThe second-generation Mazda6 will go on sale at the end of February with pricing from less than $30,000. It will be powered by a 2.5-litre, four cylinder engine, with 125kW and 226Nm.MERCEDES-BENZThe first arrival for Mercedes-Benz is expected to be the C 63 AMG in mid March. It will be followed by the S 320CDI, priced at $189,874 and the C-Class wagon, which will carry a $3000 premium over the sedan, coming in just under $60,000. MINIAnother new version of a 1960s cult car is also headed our way, with the Mini Clubman launched in February. The modern successor of the Morris Mini Traveller, the Austin Mini Countryman and the Mini Clubman Estate won't get into showrooms until March or April. Pricing will start in the mid-$30,000 area. MITSUBISHIMitsubishi will release two turbocharged Lancers this year. The top-level Lancer Evo X GSR will be here in April and sell for about $58,000. The 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo engine pumps out 200kW and 422Nm. Joining it will be the detuned version in the Ralliart all-wheel drive, at about $40,000. NISSANNissan's first addition for the year will be the all-wheel-drive wagon, the Dualis. Starting at $28,990 and stretching to $35,990, it's powered by a 102kW, 2.0-litre engine. PEUGEOTThe big launch for Peugeot will be the 308 replacing the 307 range, which will start with the 308 hatch in February in both petrol and diesel guises. The touring will follow in June or July, with the 308cc model a prospect for late 2008 or early 2009. PROTONProton has announced the Persona, based on the Gen2 hatch platform, will make its debut at the Melbourne motor show in late February, going on sale in March. It will be priced around the mid-teens. The Gen2 will also get engine updates and minor styling changes. RENAULTThe all-new Laguna will go on sale mid-year with a 2.0-litre diesel engine. SAABJune sees the arrival of the Turbo X AWD. SSANGYONGThe South Korean company will go completely diesel in 2008, with no more petrol engines on offer in Australia. SMARTThe new Fortwo arrives in Australia in February. The one-model brand will get both the 52kW and 62kW models, in hatch and cabrio, being bigger than the current models. SUBARUThe star WRX STi comes in February with a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine, although pricing is still to come. The third generation Forester arrives in March. SUZUKIFebruary's proving to be a busy month, with Suzuki also launching its Grand Vitara diesel. TOYOTAAfter a big year in 2007, Toyota is expecting a quiet year, with only the TRD Hilux due to be launched in April-June. VOLKSWAGENVolkswagen will kick off the year with the SUV, the Touareg R50, to be released in April. It's powered by a 258kW V10 TDI engine. The Tiguan also arrives about October.  VOLVOThe recently launched XC70 arrives in showrooms this month, joined by the C30 diesel also in January. It's priced at $43,950. A base model C30 will also enter the line-up, at $34,450. A 3.0-litre six-cylinder engined V70 will arrive in March. 

There is a lot hinging on Renault's newest arrival.

A Megane diesel sedan and the red-hot RenaultSport Megane R26 lead the way, and will be joined by a half-dozen other newcomers within a year.Diesel will be a big deal for Renault, but it is also looking closely at a return for the baby Clio and is banking on the success of a mid-sized four-wheel-drive.“Next year is the start of the Renault product revolution. We'll get our share of the new vehicles,” says Renault Australia managing director Rudi Koenig. “We're looking at in excess of 3000 cars. The plan is between 3000 and 3500, depending very much on how the sedan goes and the uptake of diesel.”Koenig already knows the R26 hot hatch will be a sellout, despite lifting the order from 30 to 80 cars for Australia. He is more concerned about the diesel Megane. He believes the car will be pivotal to the success of the sedan version, which has not polarised people in the same way as the “J.Lo” butt on the hatch.“Diesel is the critical vehicle for us. We hang our hat on the sedan, and the diesel gives us pretty well the lowest-priced diesel in the market,” Koenig says. “We've got to have a car that gives us consistent volume we can build the brand on. And we haven't had that.”But he denies the success or failure of the Megane diesel which will decide the future of Renault in Australia.“It's never make-or-break. Renault is very much committed to this market and we have a lot of product coming in the future. We're hoping for about 40 diesels a month. That would make it about 40 per cent of our Megane sedan volume, and the biggest individual Renault model.”And there is much more to come. Even if Renault Australia has ruled out the baby Twingo for Australia. Koenig says the Clio is looking good, there will be a revitalised flagship, and the production version of the Koleos concept vehicle.“Next year we will get the new Laguna in the second quarter, the Clio 3 RS version also, and we will get the SUV. The production version of the SUV, which is called Koleos as a concept, is going to be launched next month at the Frankfurt Show and we'll have it at the end of next year.“Clio 3 is a great car and we're studying the production situation very closely.” 

“It would be fair to assume that any new vehicle program so close to launch would be looking to finalise items such as climate-control calibrations and engine ventilation in extreme environments such

There's a pile of letters in Renault Australia's Melbourne office that has been growing since the company returned here in 2001. They are from people who have driven its diesel cars in Europe, often as part of Renault's own Eurodrive leasing program. "Why can't we buy one here?" they ask.The new Laguna dCi means Renault can start replying — with good news.Renault's medium car now comes in just one model, but it's a diesel. A restyled version of the modest but well engineered mid-size sedan spearheads a diesel campaign that expands next year with oil-burning versions of the Megane hatchback and Scenic people-mover due by April. All will have automatic transmissions available in an acknowledgement by Renault headquarters that Australian driving preferences are different from Europe, where manuals rule.Matching an automatic to the Laguna's 2.2-litre common rail diesel engine was one reason the car took so long to reach Australia, says Renault product planning director Christophe di-Perna.By the time an automatic was available, the previous model Laguna was running out and it made more sense to launch the new engine in a new version of the car, he said.The new Laguna adopts the sharper front styling of the Megane but bodywork is little changed. The budget has gone into interior changes with a revised dash. The previous model's key card is now a keyless starter — you can keep it in your pocket and just press a button — and there's an automatic electronic parking brake.Replacing the previous six models with one, the phase II Laguna is a fresh start for a marque that hasn't set the Australian market on fire. It's taken Renault six years to sell just under 19,000 cars — about what Volkswagen will sell this year.But Renault sees redemption in diesel. The urbane Mr di-Perna expects diesels will form about 25 per cent of Megane and Scenic sales, and contribute to growth of 20 per cent next year.After 200km in a Laguna dCi, Mr di-Perna's optimism seems reasonable. The 2.2-litre four-cylinder common-rail engine puts out 102kW and 320Nm, making it a respectable powerplant by the rapidly improving standards of European diesels. But it stands out, even in their company, for very impressive refinement.The characteristic diesel rattle at idle — the London taxi sound — is absent, and ride is plush in a way all French cars used to be but some have lost. Fuel consumption of 7.7 litres per 100km is like a small-car figure.Safety is well addressed with six airbags, electronic stability control, a five-star crash test rating and a licence-saving switchable speed limiter.A five-speed automatic is the only transmission available on the Laguna 2.2dCi in Australia, It can be manually shifted, but we didn't bother. Even with clean kickdowns in automatic mode it became clear the Laguna dCi is no rocket. Standing-start acceleration is mild but like most diesels it feels stronger under way. Renault's diesel comeback is under way now with the Laguna dCi on sale now for $46,990.