Test Drive Renault Laguna since 2007 Hatchback

Renault Laguna 3.0

Laguna was first introduced to the public in December 1993 and aroused great interest both journalists and potential buyers. It was also assumed that in 1994 Laguna will become a car of the year. But she took only the 5th place by giving way to Fiat Punto, VW Polo, Opel Omega and Audi A8, however, ahead of all the cars of their class. With some stretch, Laguna can still be called a car of the year.
 
I met Laguna in Italy, in Modena. I arrived in the city by rail and decided to take a taxi to the hotel. What was my surprise when a new Laguna arrived to the parking lot - it happened almost immediately after the official presentation of the car. The driver told me that she had ordered her six months ago, but she came only yesterday. To the question why the Italian preferred the Italian French car, he initially spoke about prices, but then categorically stated that French cars were more reliable. My first impressions mostly concerned the comfort of the rear seat.
 
For the machine such a class of place there is quite enough, even with an excess, especially if the driver or front passenger is not too much growth. Close chat with Laguna took place six months later. On his French polygon Renault represented a complete range of cars. But the real innovation was only Laguna. The first look Laguna reminds another Renault model - Safran. This is not surprising. Designers Renault always tried to maintain continuity in style. There is nothing frivolous in Laguna design: it is most likely to like people measured and calm. Her front part is similar to a person's face with shifted eyebrows. Surgome such face, decent.
 
The salon, made in calm colors, is spacious enough and looks quite solid. In the car, it was full of all: electrical adjustment of seats, climate control, but especially I was struck by the radio tape recorder-CD radio in one bottle from Philips. A very serious apparatus, to include which we, however, could not - did not know the code.
 
In France, we rolled the 2-liter version of Laguna, the engine of which then appeared unnecessary noisy. This time we dealt with a 3-liter, the most sophisticated modification. In the cabin of the motor is almost not heard. Tire Good Year NCT 3, which machine was equipped - too. I do not know whether they are in the standard package, but if not included, I advise you to purchase.
 
The technical characteristics of the engine at first glance caused surprise - volume of 3 liters, and the power of only 167 liters. with. Honda NSX, for example, with the same, but 24-valve, V-shaped 3 liter capacity, power reaches 273 liters. C., True, with a much higher (7300) turnover and compression ratios (10.2). But this is NSX - sports car. In closest to Laguna cars selected from the Directory at random (Mazda 929, Pontiac Grand Am, Toyota Camry-Avalon), engines have almost similar characteristics. Benefits about low-speed motors - elasticity and greater resource. In addition, 167 forces are quite enough for the car weighing 1370 kg. Until hundreds of Laguna accelerates 9 with a small second and capable of moving at a maximum speed of 212 km / h.
 
Even in France Laguna I liked my suspension. And now, when moving at high speed on our roads, the car reacted only to serious coating defects. But even when the car threw quite strongly, the suspension instantly quenched unwanted vertical body oscillations.
 
On the winding track from driving a car you get true pleasure. The combination of a well-selected gear ratio and the power of the amplifier makes the steering wheel very informative. A sufficiently rigid transverse stability stabilizer prevents the strong roll in steep turns, and comfortable chairs are securely held in the saddle. Laguna has a large basher for its class, which has a positive effect on the behavior of the car. If the speed of turning is explicitly exceeds reasonable, Laguna is not so sharp, as it would be expected on the basis of the characteristics of the suspension and the quality of rubber. The car with all his behavior, as it were, it warns that it is time to lose gas.
 
When the gas reset is noticeably removing the back, but this happens smoothly and wide. But we should not forget that Laguna even with a 3-liter engine - not for too active drivers. They would rather come over the turbocharged 900th Saab or 155th Alfa Romeo. Laguna is the same with all his appearance, and the behavior shows that a calm, reasonable driver is sitting behind her wheel.
 
This car can be called family. In him, besides the driver, his family will be easily located. And the running qualities will not make the owner of Laguna blush on the traffic light at the moment when green lights up.
 
 

A source: Magazine Motor [№9 / 1996]