Test drive by Renault Laguna 2001 - 2005 hatchback

Rest in "Lagoon"

And in a crazy megalopolis driving Renault Laguna II you feel like a island of comfort and security
 
Still, a man is still arranged: in Moscow he dreams of Paris, and in Paris he thinks of Moscow. Miraculously avoiding clashes in an incredible car crowd in the center of the French capital, I catch myself thinking that in this car it would be very good for me in the center of Moscow. The city noise is somewhere far away, the salon is filled only with a pleasant melody of speakers, the filters seem to cope with the smells around (although the Parisian cork smells much more pleasant than Moscow), and the V6 engine power is enough to have time to dive into the gap formed. In general, if the new generation Laguna really appears in Russia in late spring - early summer, it has good chances in our market. Especially among car owners who primarily appreciate comfort and capable of paying from 20 to 30 thousand dollars for it. Representatives of Renault can not name more accurate numbers yet, citing the fact that they still have time to think. And we have time to look at the ambulance of the Russian market.
 
The design of Laguna II is exactly so much so that the car attracts attention, but does not scare away traditional customers who are considered quite conservative in taste. We are talking about consumers of segment D for European classification, or - about the upper middle class of machines. Laguna is as unlike direct competitors as a luxurious yacht for a fishing feluga. No wonder the designers claim that the elaboration of the style began from the proprietary Renault emblem. A low hood line, front lighting technology, bumper and nameplate - everything is perceived as a whole, and really creates that all lines come from a steel rhombus on the hood. The back of the car is no less attractive, although more prosaic. Probably, you can call fresh, and certainly - a bold solution that the company offers customers only two types of bodies - hatchback and station wagon. While most competitors in this class are emphasized precisely on sedans, especially in Russia.
 
As in most French models, the highlight is hidden inside Laguna. Soft armchairs (not an example of some competitors from Germany) nevertheless perfectly hold the body on turns. Their original design and a huge range of adjustments, coupled with moving both horizontally and vertically with a steering wheel, allow you to take the most convenient position. In the middle of the instrument panel, a liquid crystal monitor of the navigation system is placed. The screen is covered with a visor, which provides its readability even on a bright sunny day. True, the direction of movement is not duplicated on the instrument shield, as in cars of many competitors.
 
The audio system sounds very good, and you can control it using buttons on the steering wheel. The results of your actions will be brought to the same monitor. On the central console, a climate control unit has been located, and the driver and passenger have the opportunity to order an individual temperature to the system, which in machines of this class is not often found often. The armrest is convenient and can serve as a repository for any little things. In general, for large and small luggles in the car, many drawers and pockets are provided. And the volume of the luggage compartment (in the version with the station wagon) is 430 liters. If you fold the rear seats, it will increase to 1,500 liters.
 
All glasses and mirrors are equipped with electric drives. A button for starting/stopping the motor is located next to the steering column. Yes, Laguna, like the flagship of Vel Satis, does not have a familiar ignition key. Instead, a card that must be inserted into a special slot on the central console. After that, the car will come to life - it will adjust the seat under the previous driver, turn on the climate control and conduct a test of all on -board systems. You can force it to check even the pressure in the tires every time - such an option is proposed.
 
The first thing that attracts attention after the launch of the engine is silence in the cabin. Apparently, as in the case of Vel satis (see AI No. 2, 2002), the designers paid special attention to the soundproofing of the salon. And this despite the fact that I am talking about the most powerful Laguna V6 with a 3 -liter engine and a capacity of 210 hp.
 
On the run
 
The Laguna Ton version is seriously equipped with an automatic 5-speed gearbox with the possibility of manual gear shifts. Moreover, the automatic transmission is adaptive. That is, it is worthwhile to set the rhythm of movement, and it will adapt to the individual car control style. Press the accelerator pedal a couple of times a couple of times, and the transmission will switch noticeably later, and when braking, the electronics itself will switch to lowered. If you like to change speed yourself, you just need to swing the lever to the left. True, the electronics will not allow the motor to twist the engine, switching to the next step at maximum engine speeds.
 
By the way, in the limiting modes of driving in the cabin, the engine becomes heard, and aerodynamic noises break through at high speeds. Probably, it should be, ringing silence - this is still not for a dynamic car. But I emphasize once again: noise insulation is beyond praise. No wonder I caught myself a couple of times on the motorway that other French cars suddenly slowed down: nothing like that, it was already 200 km/h on the speedometer.
 
On winding country roads, it was possible to evaluate the other qualities of Laguna. She quickly and clearly obey every turn of the steering wheel and does not roll too much in steep turns. That is, the steering and suspensions are in the best way. The stabilization system, standardly installed on the most powerful version, also works well. Of course, she goes to everything, including a sharp reset of the engine speed, if necessary, but by all means trying to maintain a given trajectory of movement. The system can be turned off, but it is hardly required: rather, the driver will become scary, the car’s nerves are stronger, that is, the limit of the capabilities embedded in it causes respect. Of course, you can achieve a skid, but it will actually be an extreme case. But you can slow down without fear in almost any situation: a pedal with excellent feedback, there is an ABS and a system of distribution of brake efforts.
 
The story of Laguna would not be complete if you keep silent that this is the only machine that received the maximum rating on the crash tests according to the Euro NCAP system - five stars. Laguna, without exaggeration, is an island of security. It was possible to achieve such results thanks to the special body design, special materials and eight airbags.
 
Market prospects
 
The competition in the segment D is serious, success depends on the little things, the nuances, and signature features. Renault decided to bet on the time -tested skate - on comfort, even a special French comfort in the cabin, and safety. The company's marketers expect this year to win 11 % of the upper middle class market - an excellent forecast, but how real it is? The record of the past generation Laguna is 10.2% of this market segment in 1995. Then sales began to fall, which was reflected on a market share - the latest available data - 7.2% in 1999. Of course, in France itself, success will be accompanied by a car. This can be judged by a large number of these cars on the roads of Paris, where the car is already sold. In addition, Renault was the first among its main competitors to introduce such a noticeable novelty in this market segment. The debut of similar models of Peugeot, BMW, Mercedes -Benz, Toyota either took place a couple of years ago or will take place at the end of this - early next year.
 
In the Russian market, the price will probably have a decisive value. If, in fact, for 30 thousand dollars it will be possible to purchase a top version of Laguna in full configuration, then the prospects are very good. But while there are no accurate data either at prices or on equipment for our market. The conservatism of most domestic consumers should be taken into account. It is without reason that Russia is considered a country of sedan. Of course, much will depend on the intelligibility and direction of the advertising campaign, and designed for certain sections of the population. Calculations in your favor, help on the roads and, especially, the car is not for this life than Renault became famous for us, in this case will not pass. Polls indicate that the Russian buyer has become more demanding on the image of the brand, the cost of car service than a couple of years ago. So far, in the market segment, where Laguna will appear, he prefers VW Passat, Audi A4, BMW of the 3rd series and Mercedes-Benz C-class. And the cars of these brands do not change for good reason ...
 
Andrey Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 3 (6), 2002]