Test Drive Renault Laguna since 2007 Hatchback

All photos Renault Laguna since 2007

None

French cars have always been a thing in themselves, which often did not find an understanding of the general public and ran sideways regarding sales. Is it capable of finding an understanding in the masses of Laguna III? Tested by last fall, the most first, with heat from the heat of the pre-seventures of the new Renault sedan on the mountain roads of Austria, we went to seek the answer to this question behind the wheel of serial cars and on the relatives of the mountains near the city of Sochi.

Surprisingly: Over the past month, this is my second departure in the surroundings of Sochi to the presentation test drive, both of the French cars. Maybe the future capital of the Olympics causes the azure coast of his native Nice in the memory of the French, and the lowered Sochi Mountains seem to them like coastal alps? Or maybe narrow winding and dizzying tracks resemble Corsican do not know. In any case, the place for testing is selected amazingly beautiful. Well, decent scenery. Let's see what the presentation itself will be performed by the new Renault Laguna.

Recently, French automakers are increasingly trying to pull out their products to German. This desire is quite understandable: the sale of the majority of the French in our country, excluding the low-class models, are neither Shaktko Navko. And Renault Here, no exception, the main sales amount make up more than modest Logan, Symbol and, at best, Megane, but Laguna, for example, last year was sold in a very minor quantity. Although, of course, the upcoming change of generations was also failing, but still there are special hopes for a new model, and the equalization on the reference Germans in this case is perhaps the wise decision.
But if someone from the brand fans is worried that in the light of all this history, the new car has lost its recognition and originality, I immediately calm: it did not happen. Moreover, the new Laguna, in my opinion, looks much brighter and is original, which is not too enough expressiveness. But will this not play a new joke with a null? Will the potential buyers do not care? After all, it is clear to everyone that most of the first choose the car through their eyes, and only then it is interested in its essence, and there are traditionally conservative people with the lagovowners.

On the other hand, if Renault came with their principles in design, Laguna would have lost individuality and a certain charm inherent in French cars. In general, the task was not easy. How surely it was possible to solve it by the French, it will soon be solved quite soon, naturally, the market for the sales of the model in Russia has already begun. In the meantime, in front of me there is more than a dozen new Laguna, what they are and will be in the next few years.
In traditionally, almost flat door panels and a hood with massive bumpers, with a high belt line, with rugged sharp faces and lighting of bizarre, are unusually combined in the body sizes. In the entire width of the front bumper, a huge air intake with an elegant chrome plank was molded. The emblems in the spirit of time have become more and noticeable. Looks like a new Laguna evil former, but at the same time and sweature. Especially weighing her impressive front and back. Well, okay, leave talk about the design, everyone as they say, its own. It's time for the wheel

I slam the door with a characteristic pleasant sound, I look around. Here, the fibergulation is in full swing! The first thing that rushes into the eye, the front panel architecture resembling BMW! The laconicity of the excellent readable dashboard is also a little reminded of Bavarian machines. And the quality of the materials of the finish and fit the panels at a very high level. Perhaps, according to these indicators, the new Renault is not inferior to German classmates, not to mention Japanese. Everywhere, soft solid plastic, modern and high-quality materials, and even inserts that imitate aluminum do not look alien. Compared to the Laguna last generation salon, this is a huge jump forward.

The landing is convenient, is the first time and does not tire in a long road. The traditional soft-amorphous chairs replaced the solid, with good lateral support and an excellent profile. The adjustment range will even be sufficiently rusty drivers. At the same time, with my height, 184 cm, I calmly sat for myself. Spacious interior. And the optional hatch in the roof makes it also very light. Not only liked that in the open (shifted back), this hatch forms a peculiar stepper in the back of the cabin, which reduces the space over the heads of passengers. But does it often have to drive with an open hatch? In addition, there are no complaints to a two-zone climate system.

Now let's see what is a new car on the go. On the Russian market, Laguna will be supplied with 1.6 and 2.0 l engines in combination with a 6-speed mechanical gearbox and a 2-liter turbocharged motor in a pair with a 6-speed automata (a version with a 2-liter turbodiesel will appear later). At my disposal, I first turned out to be a version with a 2-liter atmospheric power unit with a capacity of 140 hp. After inserting a well-known Renault models, the key card into the front panel slot, click on the START / STOP button, and in the hood quietly comes to life in a row four. Several times I press the gas pedal and I understand that in the voice of Renault, as before, there is neither a light, nor zador, nor any highlight just runs the engine, and that's it. But noise isolation and vibration rate became much better, very quiet in the cabin. During the test, it also became clear that Laguna Tikhonya was not only when it is worth it, but when it goes.

But not only so ride behind her wheel gives pleasure. Of course, the dynamics of a 2-liter atmospheric is very medium, not least due to a stretched transmission series. But the suspension is very good. Increased increasing body rigidity, springs and transverse stability stabilizers. One who at least once went on mountain roads in the vicinity of Sochi, will understand that this winding serpentine is a great place to evaluate the work of the suspension. And Laguna did not let down. The resistance of the car is very good, and the rotation is close to neutral.
The electric power steering provides the driver quite adequate feedback, although it leaves a feeling of some ease of steering. The rotation angle of the wheels is always clear. Laguna appeared very close to the quality of manageability to the Germans. There was a collence that the former generation of the model did not dreamed about. Well, and the fact that the improvement of the driving characteristics did not go to the detriment of the comfort of Laguna, even on 17-inch drives and non-ideal asphalt remains very loyal to the passengers by the car.

Next, in front of me there was a choice of 1.6 liters or 2.0 liters with a turbine. It's really not satisfied with the dynamics of a 2-liter atmospheric engine, I still decided to add horses and test the 170-strong turbo engine with a machine gun. What can I say, such a Laguna has practically lost weak points. I slightly adding in weight (after all, the engine is essentially the same, only the turbine was screwed), she simply acquired the necessary car of this class. And the new ACP works great in a pair with a more powerful engine. The last 4-step Renault automaton at the notes is not suitable for this! Adaptive switching mechanism, smoothness and at the same time, the speed of shifting allows you to go to a rather active manner if necessary.

Of course, such Laguna liked most. And everything would be fine, do not be the top version with the appropriate price. As experience shows, it is usually for the share of the cheap modification itself there are fewer cars sold. In any case, you need to pay tribute to French engineers Renault. As it turned out, they are fully capable of experiments. Or maybe time and market forced them to this? Yes, it does not matter. It is important and clear one new Laguna has become the car that can compete with competitors in class D. All prerequisites for this. But the French from Renault should not forget that the Germans and the Japanese do not even dorm. And then it turns out that Laguna acts as though quickly, but catching up.
Alexander Goryunov
Photo: Alexander Goryunov