Renault Laguna test drive since 2007 hatchback

The end of the avant -garde era

For a decade in a row, Renault has been trying to bring a stylistic decision of its model range to a single denominator and still can’t bring the matter to the end
It is worthwhile to appear in the forms of which everyone around us begins to admire, how the company's designers begin to conduct restyling earlier cars in the spirit of the novelty.
Meanwhile, another novelty appears, delighting the audience, the current restyling rushes halfway, and the procedure begins in a new one. Such a leapfrog has been going on for the past forty years, since the appearance of Renault 16.
Is it good or bad when all the models of the same brand, from small to great, are similar to each other, like the same one -eater twins? Fifteen years ago, BMW and Mercedes-Benz were tight for such uniformity: they said that their models can be distinguished from one another only in size. With the advent of such models as Avantime, Vel Satis and the current second generation Renault Megane, it began to seem that this style would become branded. But what was good for image and small -scale machines, it turned out to be bad for mass cars: buyers accepted Renault Megane quite cool, and this line did not receive further development. A year ago, a new Renault Laguna icon appeared, and it seems that her style will become reference to the brand in the near future.
I must say, the new Renault Laguna performed not only a large stylistic, but also a qualitative step forward. This is especially noticeable when you put the car side by side with a car created on the previous round of evolution, the same Renault Megane. It seems that the French stepped on their throat and admitted that it was the Germans who were making the best cars and they have something to learn. An indirect confirmation of this is the advertisement of another French automaker, who assures that his cars have German quality with a direct text.
It seems that the Avangard era ended: the French realized that for the growth of sales, the majority should be pleased, and not a bunch of lovers of stylistic delights. That is why the design of the new Renault Laguna has become much more stringent and balanced, without avant -garde extensions. Someone will say that now the car is similar immediately to all the products of the global automotive industry, but not to Renault. However, you can understand the manufacturer: such a neutral design will remain modern for much longer, which will keep the model on the conveyor without radical restyling for a long longer period.
The appearance of the Renault Laguna should like our compatriots, known for its enthusiastic generations, the desire not to stand out from the crowd. Moreover, the pretty appearance of the machine is only a pleasant addition to its salon, made of solid materials and qualitatively assembled. Devices and controls are located in traditional places and have the usual shape even a hand brake lever!
And most importantly, the radio control panel has finally changed! Also, in general, not the standard of design and ergonomics, but in comparison with the previous orphan squalor, it looks just a masterpiece. Also, the salon boasts an abundance of legs for the legs of the rear seat passengers and a large luggage compartment. In combination with the worthy behavior of the car on the road, all this makes Renault Laguna a universal car for people of different ages, suitable both for traveling around the city and beyond. Unlike Renault Megane, which still remains a city car for a young family. It is especially pleasant that a well -balanced set of consumer characteristics Renault Laguna is accompanied by a completely adequate price.
Alexey Khresin
Photo author: Andrey Aksenov
 
 

Source: Mkobil magazine [September/2008]