Renault Laguna (2007 – 2012) Review

September 2007

2008 Laguna with strong emphasis on driving pleasure, quality and safety. 36mm wider, 10mm longer and 12mm taller than previous model, yet an average 15kg lighter. Wide range of engines, including three new – 1.5 dCi 110hp and 2.0 dCi 130, plus M4R 2.0 16V 140. Six-speed gearboxes as standard on every model. Debut at Frankfurt Motor Show September 2007. On UK market 19th October 2007.

Belt cam 1.5 dCi 110, chain cam 2.0 dCi 130 and chain cam 2.0 16V 140. New 2.0 dCi 150 can be specified with new Renault-Nissan Alliance six-speed automatic gearbox as in X-Trail, Qashqai, Megane. 1.5 dCi 110 offers 55.4 mpg on a combined cycle and only 136 grams of CO2 per km. Also a new 140hp two-litre chain cam 16V petrol engine, developed jointly again by Renault and Nissan with outputs up to 175PS (turbocharged). One new transmission: 2.0 dCi 150 Auto. Six-speed gearboxes as standard on all manual and automatic transmissions.

Comprehensive standard equipment levels: 60W CD-RDS radio, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution), air conditioning, alloy wheels (16” or 17” depending on model), electric door mirrors and electric front and rear windows, ESP with ASR traction control.

New Laguna Hatch available to order 21-8-07 and in showrooms from 19-10-07 2007. New Laguna Sport Tourer available to order from mid-September 2007 and in showrooms from January 2008.

New Laguna range flagship car for the Renault's three-year growth plan, Renault Commitment 2009. Prices start at £15,990 and in some cases, are more than £500 less than the outgoing range.

1.5 litre dCi eco2 offering 57.6mpg combined and 136g/km available.

Insurance group ratings improved by up to two group ratings for certain models compared to previous Laguna, from 7E to 11E

In spite of the gains in quality and specification, the Hatch models are an average of £300 less than their predecessors. For example, the likely best-seller, Hatch Dynamique 2.0 dCi 150, costs £18,400, £470 less than the current model.

December 2007

2.0 dCi 175 chain cam engine for New Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer open for ordering. Available in three trim levels: Dynamique, Dynamique S and Initiale. On-the-road prices from £19,150 to £23,900. Peak torque of 380Nm at 2,000 rpm and maximum 175hp power at 3,750 rpm. 0 to 60 mph in 8.4 seconds (Hatch). Combined fuel economy of 43.4 mpg (Hatch).

March 2008

High-performance GT versions of New Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer launched. Active Drive chassis with four wheel steering. Exclusively available with 205hp two-litre turbo petrol engine or 180hp two-litre diesel – both making their debut in New Laguna.

Sport styling touches, include lateral air-intakes and larger front grille, new 18-inch alloy wheels, smoked rear light clusters and black background to the headlamps. Inside, GT-embossed leather/alcantara sports seats, drilled aluminium pedals, aluminium gearknob and GT steering wheel.

June 2010

Laguna 2010 range (Hatch and Sport Tourer) available to order from 1st June, prior to launch on 10th July 2009 (Coupé unchanged). Hatch priced £16,795 to £24,650, with Sport Tourer £17,795 to £25,650. New range structure: Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Initiale. 38 versions in total. ‘GT’ sport look for likely core sellers, Dynamique and TomTom Edition.

Core equipment features include 16” alloy wheels, air conditioning, front thorax/side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags, electric and heated door mirrors, and ESP with ASR traction control and CSV understeer control.

On Dynamique and above, Laguna is also available with the powerful, yet refined, 2.0 dCi 180 with maximum torque of 400 Nm for even greater driving pleasure.

September 2010

Re-think facelift announced. A more assertive front end design on the Hatch and Sport Tourer points toward driving pleasure and complete peace of mind. With the highest level of quality, reliability and safety, New Renault Laguna is more attractive than ever. The exclusive 4Control four-wheel steering system will be available in the UK with the dCi 180 engine.

October 2010

Renault released UK pricing and specification for the Laguna 2011 Hatch and Sport Tourer models, with savings of up to £1,855 available compared to the previous range.

Following a simplified range structure, the new line-up incorporates three core trim levels, Expression, Dynamique TomTom and GT Line TomTom. The Laguna Coupé is unaffected by the changes.

All models in the revised range come with comprehensive specification levels. For the entry-level Expression, this includes Arkamys 3D Sound single CD/radio MP3 with Bluetooth™ and fingertip control, 16” alloy wheels, air conditioning, aux input, ESC and front fog lights.

Moving up the range to the expected best-seller, Dynamique TomTom, adds a raft of extra equipment designed to make life at the wheel even more relaxed. Among its enhanced specification are automatic parking brake, headlights and wipers, cruise control, chrome twin exhausts (excluding dCi 110), dual zone climate control, electrically heated and folding door mirrors, hands-free keycard, rear parking sensors, multi-functional TunePoint (for portable music players) and speed limiter. Lastly, given the version’s name, these versions also feature Carminat TomTom Live ®, the latest edition of Renault’s integrated satellite navigation system.