Test drive by Renault Laguna 2005 - 2007 hatchback
Madame is waiting for attention
It can rarely be seen in television commercials, it appears a little more often on the roads. In a word, some inconspicuous! This is in Europe, she is in great need, and we ... The manufacturer relies in Russia on other models, and it remains not the most starry share: not to let it forget that there is something to be proud of in the D Renault segment. We have an updated Laguna test.
The cool reception of a car in Russia, against the backdrop of interest in it in the Old World, is not uncommon. The reasons, as a rule, are obvious: price, lack of a normal dealer network, insufficient promotion of a particular model.
In the case of Laguna, it seems that the word underestimated is quite suitable for it, and its invisibility on our roads is not explained by financial and not technical, but rather commercial reasons. The basic price for it is quite competitive (a little more than $ 20,000; however, with a 1.6-liter engine), with dealers, Renault is all right. Obviously, Lagoon is given less attention than Logan or Symbol, but this is a personal matter of the French company.
Time forward; time ago! The updated Laguna appeared in Russia at the moment when the ringing of glasses at the New Year tree-2006 was heard quite clearly. And this despite the fact that the world premiere of the restyled machine took place almost a year before in February 2005! But while the French brought to mind the version for countries by bad roads, finding out which balls are needed for our road surface, raising the car by 2 cm and choosing the necessary protection of the crankcase, it passed.
Renault's concern for the Russian consumer is pleasant to speak without any irony, but soon the whole world will see the third generation of the car, while in Russia and the second modified have not yet enjoyed. However, what does it matter to us that the Russian new product is not at all a curiosity in Europe?
As you know, Laguna is historically not produced in the body of the sedan only hatchback and station wagon. In Russia, this can be considered a disadvantage, but hardly decisive, because, firstly, the luggage door of Laguna has a small platform that gives the car a resemblance to the sedan, and secondly, our dislike of the begged rear door is still exaggerated, And to many models, unsuccessful bodies do not interfere with easily sold.
One way or another, before us is a hatchback with a characteristic impressive front overhang and a small rear. They worked very thoroughly on the front hand of the updated Laguna, reducing the hood cover and drawing new megan -shaped headlights, darkened along the edges. The design and rear lights have changed. But the profile remained the same: a characteristic ner -frying sandwich of the front part creates a general feeling of sports spirit, which I will say, running ahead, is thoroughly eliminated in the trip. Although the data of our car is solid: a 2-liter 135-horsepower automatic 4-speed checkpoint.
Red and White The vast majority of internal changes, undoubtedly, added to Laguna of whists. The dashboard attracts the eye with red-white dials of devices. Very original, very very! In words, this may seem awesome, but in fact, in combination with traditional gray tones of the salon, pleasant harmony is born. The radio, in the prerestyling version hidden behind the curtain at the central console, got out of there, which made the situation no more than boring. The upholstery of the seats has changed and also for the better. A hard -tight steering wheel at low speeds, which appeared to the touch a little thicker than we would like, complemented the pleasant picture.
But work with the machine gun has raised questions. She lies perfectly in the hand (thanks to a wide armrest), comfortably switches, including to manual control, but the transition from regime to mode causes difficulties, especially from habit. No platform with letters that could be focused on, as, say in Megane, there is no, and the letters themselves are applied directly to the handle from above. They even glow, but in the dark, and in the daytime the mode should be determined on the screen on the instrument panel. Well, there are no problems if only does not interfere with the steering wheel, in many positions, which completely blocks this screen.
The previous Laguna II test was put off in memory, among other things, a very unusual landing at the wheel almost deceived. Apparently, these sensations were not entirely accurate, since in the updated Laguna I did not find anything supernatural in this component. Good lateral support, a normal review and only the lateral mirrors that have been preserved from the prerestyled version.
Horses are picky Here we go in the first gear, here the second turned on (it is pleasant that you are determining it by ear, and not by jerking). And any tangible acceleration is not and no. Only when most of the 12th seconds pass, which officially occupy the acceleration to a hundred, only in the third transmission the engine wakes up, the speed increases sharply and you recall that 135 horsepower is a decent indicator for, in general, a minor car.
An adaptive 4-speed automatic box installed only with a 2-liter engine, lazy: at least click the gas pedal to the floor, even though work it reasonably. By the way, the principles by which this machine is adapted is very understandable. About three quarters of the pedal, a calm mode, and then if you come across a tiny barrier, perfectly tangible with your foot. Are you sure you want to overcome him? Then we will go in sports! Such acceleration, in two doses, is convenient at least by virtue of its understanding, although, I repeat, this machine gun eats the dynamics ruthlessly. On mechanics with the same engine, acceleration will be two and a half seconds faster.
Obviously, the French, obviously, worked thoroughly over the suspension settings. Brakes on Laguna, as well as on other Renault, are simply brutal. If you slow down, then, as it should, from the heart! This safety principle, apparently, is put at the forefront, and it should also be used to it.
An excellent solution of the electronic parking brake located on the left under the steering wheel allows you not to worry when stopping on the rises and descents. I pulled the lever, the car costs how to get dug, and in order to get off the brake, you just need to press the gas: it is convenient and efficient.
About the prospects
Will the updated Laguna II be successful than its predecessor? Restyling did not bring fundamental differences in the car, and could not bring it. And the prerestyling sample, as we have already noted, for various reasons, is inferior in popularity to rivals in class D.
True, dealers say that the updated Laguna causes much more noticeable interest, but how great is it?
In any case, the number of such Renault on our roads primarily depends on whether the French will be able to explain all the competitiveness of Laguna to the Russian motorist (or rather, whether). After all, the car is interesting, but the explanation will be expensive.
Competitors
The D-class competition is very serious. The positions of Korean and Japanese manufacturers are strong. And among Europeans, it is worth noting Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra, Peugeot 407 and Citroen C5. Read more about competitors Laguna in the heading of absentee choice
Finance
Laguna with a 1.6-liter 115-horsepower engine will cost from $ 20 199, but for this money you will not receive such important elements as a radio or heating of the seats. The version with a 2-liter engine is estimated at $ 25,299, and a machine with a machine will cost $ 26,799. Finally, a machine with a turbocharged 170-horsepower engine that is aggregated with a 5-speed automatic will cost from $ 30,099.
The car was provided for the test by the official dealer Renault, the company of the Petrovsky Autocenter.
Text: Philip Berezin
Photo: Roman Ostanin
Source: Wheel magazine [No. 103/2006]
