Thursday, December 1, 2011
RENAULT LAGUNA ROAD TEST REPORT
The Renault Laguna has been absent from the Australian new car market since 1996, but now it’s back with a new distributor and new models. Renault Australia (as part of the Nissan/Renault alliance) kicked off here in June 2001 with a range that comprised Clio hatchbacks, 2WD and 4WD Scenic wagons and a Megane Cabriolet. Now, after some frustrating delays, the Laguna saloon and Laguna estate have arrived. The Laguna saloon (read sedan, though it actually has a rear hatch!), comes in three equipment levels. They are the Authentique, the Privilege and the Privilege LX. The Laguna estates (read wagons) are available in Authentique and Privilege form.
For the present, all Australia-bound Lagunas have a 3.0 litre V6 engine, mated to a five-speed ‘tiptronic-style’ automatic transmission. Later this year, four cylinder models are due. Prices for the V6 Laguna saloons start at $46,990 for the Authentique, with the Privilege costing $51,990 and the Privilege LX, $57,990. Add $4,000 for the Authentique and Privilege estates.
Equipment levels are generous, with all Lagunas featuring dual front and front side airbags, side curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes with EBD and emergency brake assist, electronic stability program, traction control, climate control air conditioning, power (front) windows and mirrors, remote locking, cruise control, alloy wheels (4), a trip computer and single CD player. Privilege models add Xenon headlights, power-adjustable front seats, a six-stack CD player, leather and velour upholstery, fog lamps, rain-sensing wipers, rear side window sunshades and extra storage compartments.
