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Order books open for Renault Laguna Sport Tourer
publication date: Dec 11, 2007
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author/source: Robin Roberts
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The Renault Laguna Sport Tourer will be added to the new hatchback range in January.
With estate cars now claiming a rising share of total model sales, the Laguna Sport Tourer will be an important version for Renault.
We will see the new series gaining a four-wheel-steering GT and V6 petrol and diesels added late 2008 with a Coupe at the company’s home Paris show in autumn for delivery early 2009.
The range evolves through the familiar series of Expression, Dynamique, Dynamique S and Initiale rising from £16,940 to £24,350.
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Renault expect the majority of Sport Tourer models to be ordered in the two higher specifications as the type has traditionally appealed to a younger owner than the hatch version.
The Laguna Sport Tourer range mirrors the line up in the hatchback series introduced in October so there is a choice of 140 and 170bhp 2.0 petrol or 1.5 110bhp and 2.0 130, 150 and 175bhp diesels with standard six-speed manual boxes, or six-speed autos available with top petrol or diesels.
With the boom in diesel registrations this year, Renault is also predicting up to 80pc of Sport Tourer will be ordered with these, and 82pc will be six-speed manuals.
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The new Laguna Sport Tourer is larger than the previous generation estate and it has been designed “inside-out” for the Tourer user with seats which can be folded flat from the side doors or rear door.
There’s a one-touch luggage cover which can be removed and stored below the floor, load protection panel, folding hooks for bags, 12v power socket in the rear wing. The flat floor area extends up to 2m and depending on luggage requirements will hold between 508 and 1,593 litres.
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Strong on practicality, Renault has also provided the Laguna series with a 3yr or 100,000 miles warranty for peace of mind in private buyers hands as well as strong residuals to satisfy the fleet buyers and managers.
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ON THE ROAD
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In a brief test drive of some versions, the Laguna Sport Tourer was impressive with its refinement, low noise levels and host of practical features making it easy to use.
The rear door opens from bumper level to reveal a wide, flat floor whose length can be quickly expanded to more than double while capacity can steadily be raised as the offset split back seats are individually dropped at the touch of a button.
I liked the operation of the one touch retracting luggage cover and the way it could be stowed under the floor when not required. A neat flip up load partition is also useful in some situations.
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The only downside I saw in the Sport Tourer was its high rear waistline and thick roof pillars which restricted over the shoulder and reversing vision and the tendency for the back window to attract road dirt requiring very frequent wash and wiping. The rear roofline is also quite low as my sore forehead can testify.
I tested the perceived best selling 2.0 150 diesel Initiale which is likely to take 40pc of all Sport Tourer sales and comes with the option of the automatic box costing from £23,150.
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This was quiet and smooth with lots of flowing power coming in and the gearchanges were good while the steering and brakes instilled confidence. The computer showed I average 31.7mpg compared to an ‘official’ 47.1mpg, but there was no motorway driving on my test route.
There was also an opportunity to sample the forthcoming 175hp 2.0 diesel and this is really an extremely lively and quieter engine, as tested in a Dynamique derivative at £20,100.
At higher speed it was noticeably smoother and quieter than the 150hp model and more ready to pick up and get away smartly, thereby making it safer when overtaking.
I liked the comfortable seats and ride quality in both versions and found the handling safe and surefooted. Again, I managed to see 31mpg recorded but Renault is suggesting a figure over 43mpg should be attainable overall.
With a good range of engines at launch and still more to come, the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer’s strong trim levels, refinement and confidence-inspiring warranty cover should make a significant impression in the market, particularly among private buyers. ©Robin Roberts
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