TUESDAY 27TH MAY 2008
SPEED, STYLE AND SEDUCTION: RENAULT UNVEILS LAGUNA COUPE AT CANNES FILM FESTIVAL AND MONACO GRAND PRIX
- Stunning Laguna Coupé’s first public showing at Cannes Film Festival on Saturday 24th May, driven by Carlos Ghosn, President, Renault. Followed later by two Laguna Coupés being driven around legendary Monaco GP circuit by ING Renault F1 Team test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean
- New Laguna flagship to debut two new potent Renault-Nissan Alliance engines: 3.5 V6 240hp and 3.0 V6 dCi 235hp. Active Drive four-wheel-steer chassis also features
- World show debut at Paris Motor Show in October
In keeping with the style and seduction of its latest creation, Renault chose the most glamorous weekend in Europe’s social calendar to take the wraps off of the Laguna Coupé at the Cannes Film Festival and Monaco Grand Prix.
The flowing lines of the newcomer`s elegant, uncluttered design exude a sense of timeless beauty and the promise of pure driving pleasure. Its performance provides unprecedented pleasure behind the wheel thanks to the combination of its Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering – which has been acclaimed by the media across Europe on the GT version of Renault Laguna – and the two new V6 powerplants which have been introduced at the same time on this brand enhancing model. The brand new V6 dCi, which is poised to become a benchmark in terms of performance and pleasure, delivers 235hp, while the new 3.5-litre petrol-powered V6 offers 240hp. Laguna Coupé stands out as an inspiring four-seater with genuine sensual appeal and will be shown in greater detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in October.
Saturday, 24 May saw Renault President, Carlos Ghosn, arrive at the foot of the illustrious steps of the 61st Cannes Film Festival at the wheel of a Renault Laguna Coupé. The occasion marked the first public showing of the new model and was a fitting way for the manufacturer to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its exclusive partnership with the famous festival. Renault Laguna Coupé also profited from the weekend by making a guest appearance around the track of the 66th Monaco Grand Prix to showcase its sporting credentials. Giving the many thousands of spectators a unique and unexpected show, two Laguna Coupés completed several laps of the Principality’s legendary circuit in the hands of ING Renault F1 Team test drivers Lucas di Grassi and Romain Grosjean.
Renault Laguna Coupé bears a close resemblance to the striking concept car revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, while its elegant styling and proportions boast all the hallmarks associated with exceptional coupés. Its distinctive front end suggests the presence of the finest Renault-Nissan Alliance engines under the bonnet, designed and developed to ensure the last word in driver enjoyment. Indeed, Renault Laguna Coupé is capable of accelerating from rest to 62 mph in less than seven seconds, and this top-of-the-range performance combines with the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering to deliver optimum pleasure at the wheel.
Head-turning, racy styling
The flowing lines of Renault Laguna Coupé`s elegant, uncluttered design exude a blend of timeless beauty and the promise of sheer motoring enjoyment. There is no mistaking the production version’s similarity to its show car predecessor, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2007, and from the Laguna range at the top of which it will sit. With a length of 4.64 metres and width of 1.83 metres, its proportions are nicely balanced, while the character line which stems from the grille rises forcefully along its flanks, like a wave of air, gracefully underpinning the design of its front wings before extending rearwards to highlight its muscular haunches. The glazed area of its windows is shown off to its best advantage by a pure, flowing arc. Sitting on its 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels, Laguna Coupé`s stance evokes a sense of dynamism and power thanks to a wheelbase dimension of 2.69m and height of 1.40m. This sense of purpose is echoed by the pronounced crease lines of its long bonnet and by its new variant headlamps. The rear, meanwhile, features a very short overhang and broad, slim lights which give Laguna Coupé a bright, distinctive lighting signature which suggests refinement and power, especially at night when the indicators form a halo that picks out the contours of the thin red LEDs.
Four-wheel steering for an exceptional driving experience
Developed jointly by Renault engineers and specialists from Renault Sport Technologies, Laguna Coupé`s technologically-advanced Active Drive chassis guarantees the ultimate in dynamic performance. Its outstanding agility and stability set new standards when it comes to safety and surefooted handling, as well as cornering with unrivalled directional precision as if it were on rails.
Following its introduction on the GT version of New Laguna, this chassis has naturally been carried over to Laguna Coupé and is particularly suited to being powered by the new car`s V6 engines. At low speeds, the Active Drive chassis and four-wheel steering system enhance manoeuvrability and it takes drivers no time at all to familiarise themselves with their characteristics. In urban driving, as well as on twisty roads, the car is easy to drive and offers outstanding handling precision. It makes choosing the optimal cornering line intuitive, while the driving experience is enhanced through the absence of body roll through bends and by its directional precision at small low steering wheel angles.
On the active safety front, the Active Drive chassis equipped with four-wheel steering excels not only under braking in difficult conditions (asymmetric grip, deployment of ESP), but also when taking avoidance action (the so-called `elk test`). In addition, the high level of travelling comfort ensures peace of mind for all occupants who can sense Laguna Coupé’s unrivalled active safety.
Powertrains with pedigree
Under the bonnet of Renault Laguna Coupé, the brand-new V6 dCi, which is destined to become a benchmark in terms of performance and driving pleasure, develops 235hp and peak torque of 450Nm. The same figure for the petrol 3.5 V6 powerplant, which is mated for the first time with the AJ0 automatic six-speed transmission it shares with the diesel engine, is 330Nm, with maximum power of 240hp. In this configuration, Renault Laguna Coupé can accelerate from rest to 62 mph in less than seven seconds. It also naturally benefits from the best engines available in the rest of the New Laguna range, in particular the top performing versions of the range`s two-litre petrol and diesel powerplants.
Immersive experience with Microsoft®`s Deep Zoom technology
Friday, 23 May saw the launch of a bespoke Renault Laguna Coupé micro-site. Building on the success of the Renault Laguna launch in 2007, the experience has been carried over for customers wishing to find out more about Laguna Coupé. The www.laguna-coupe.com micro-site has been developed in an exclusive European partnership with Microsoft®. Thanks to a landmark innovation known as ‘Deep Zoom’ technology, it has been designed to evolve constantly depending on the latest news to offer an immersive experience at the very heart of this exceptional coupé.
Renault Laguna Coupé will be shown in greater detail at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show and will be available for international media road tests immediately after that. As the spearhead of the Laguna range, it has been designed to offer sheer driving pleasure and plays a key role in Renault`s brand`s expansion in the luxury end of the market. Renault Laguna Coupé epitomises this savoir-faire when it comes to driving pleasure and quality which is built into its genes and which can be seen in the finish which meets even the most demanding standards. Laguna Coupé will be introduced progressively across the Renault sales network from mid-October featuring a long list of high-end equipment.
TUESDAY 8 APRIL 2008
NEW ACTIVE DRIVE WITH FOUR-WHEEL STEERING
FOR NEW RENAULT LAGUNA GT
- New high-performance GT versions of New Laguna Hatch and Sport Tourer available to order in the UK from 9 May 2008
- Featuring innovative Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering for the ultimate in handling and response
- Exclusively available with 205hp two-litre turbo petrol engine or 180hp two-litre turbo diesel – both making their debut in New Laguna
- Prices start from £21,050 for the Hatch and £22,000 for Sport Tourer
- New versions feature numerous sport styling touches, including: lateral air-intakes and larger front grille, new 18-inch alloy wheels, smoked rear light clusters and black background to the headlamps
- Inside, the new models boast GT-embossed leather/alcantara sports seats, drilled aluminium pedals, aluminium gearknob and GT steering wheel
Laguna GT introduces the new Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering, developed jointly by Renault and Renault Sport Technologies to give the ultimate in driving pleasure, handling, dynamic response and steering precision. The GT is further enhanced by the availability of two exclusive, high-performance engines: 180hp two-litre turbo diesel and 205hp two-litre turbo petrol. Thanks to its combination of advanced driving pleasure and peace of mind with a three-year/100,000 mile warranty, Laguna GT stands out as an innovative offer in the sports saloon market.
Laguna GT, which is powered by two new engines to the range, places the accent on enjoyment and efficiency to deliver outstanding on-road performance with the four-wheel steering technology. With quality an overriding concern throughout its design and production, New Laguna ensures a reassuring ride for all occupants thanks to its class-leading active and passive safety and a raft of practical features. Meanwhile, the GT`s stylish looks reinforce its top-of-the-range positioning for Laguna in terms of technology and powerplants. Available in Hatch and Sport Tourer, Laguna GT goes on sale in the UK from 9 May.
Four-wheel steering for an exceptional drive
The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering brings many benefits, starting with improved manoeuvrability, sharpened dynamic response, and unrivalled steering precision giving the driver truly intuitive control over the cornering line, achieving new heights in driveability and active safety. In town and on country roads, the car is easy to drive: highly manoeuvrable and precise. Laguna GT corners with very little body roll and a precise line is achieved with small steering inputs. The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering also excels in active safety, both under difficult braking conditions (with a good control over asymmetrical grip and with the ESP matched to a more sporting driving style), and during avoidance manoeuvres at speed (`elk` test).
Four-wheel steering systems of the 1980s were essentially mechanical, with the front and rear wheels linked and pre-determined angles aimed at making up for shortcomings in the vehicle`s handling (e.g. a tendency to understeer). Such systems were gradually superseded by the advent of ESP. Meanwhile, towards the end of the 1990s, manufacturers such as Nissan were beginning to develop solutions based on electrically- and even hydraulically-operated actuators to take the dynamic performance of their vehicles forward. Electronic control of rear wheel steering has enabled handling to be fine-tuned even further, notably in the case of rear-wheel drive vehicles.
The Active Drive system builds on this approach by ensuring a more dynamic and more reactive response to make the most of the inherent qualities of Laguna GT`s chassis and consequently deliver even greater driving enjoyment. In addition to the complex modelling of the vehicle`s handling, real-time response to the driver`s instructions (every 10 milliseconds) and its ability to adapt to different conditions, Laguna GT`s Active Drive four-wheel steering system means that active safety systems are only required as a very last resort, which means drivers benefit from more efficient and even more reassuring reactions when faced with an unexpected hazard.
Impressive low-speed manoeuvrability
The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering makes Laguna GT exceptionally easy to handle in town and agile on winding roads. At speeds of less than 38mph, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, up to an angle of 3.5°. This brings two advantages: a smaller turning circle, for easy manoeuvring; and reduced steering wheel input required thanks to the more direct, specially calibrated steering.
With four-wheel steering on the Active Drive chassis, Laguna GT has a 10 per cent smaller turning circle than with two-wheel steering: 10.80 metres, incredibly the same as Clio, instead of 12.05m. Enhanced manoeuvrability is especially noticeable in tight parking situations.
With front and rear wheels turning in opposite directions, the car effectively pivots, which means smaller steering angles are needed for the same turning effect. Whereas it takes a 16° steering wheel angle to produce a 1° turn in the front wheels on New Laguna, it takes just 13.5° with the Active Drive chassis. And this drops to 12° when the rear wheels are turned at the maximum 3.5° angle in the opposite direction to the front wheels. Because the steering is more direct, with less need for large steering wheel angles, the impression of manoeuvrability and agility is greatly enhanced. For any given bend, the driver will need less input on the steering wheel, making for more effective avoidance.
Ultra-precise steering control
From 38mph, the emphasis is on steering precision. The rear wheels turn simultaneously in the same direction as the front wheels, to enhance stability. The Active Drive system with four-wheel steering counters the centrifugal force that tends to push the rear end outwards round bends, and thus raises the safe cornering speed. The rear axle is set on the ideal trajectory, with a rear-wheel angle of less than 2° in most situations, for stability. The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering enhances dynamic handling, with a reassuring response for outstanding driving pleasure.
Unparalleled active safety
The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering also improves safety for heightened reassurance during avoidance manoeuvres. In an emergency situation, the rear-wheel angle can rise to 3.5°. The involvement of the ESP system, specially configured for a more sporting driving style, is delayed, so that the manoeuvre can be performed both safely and more swiftly. ESP only deploys when necessary, and is applied gradually because it is synchronized with the rear-wheel turn action. Via the ESP/ABS unit, the four-wheel steering control unit also detects asymmetrical braking situations, such as on mixed surfaces, adapting the rear-wheel turn angle automatically to keep the car stable with no driver action required. This helps the driver keep control during critical situations, and ensures uninterrupted peace of mind during everyday driving conditions.
Dynamic control logic
The Active Drive chassis with four-wheel steering has been developed jointly by Renault and Renault Sport Technologies and implements electronic control of the vehicle dynamics. A sensor on the steering column sends steering wheel angle information via the CAN (controller area network) to the four-wheel steer control unit, located behind the rear axle. The four-wheel steer control unit also inputs vehicle speed from the ESP/ABS unit and tracks steering wheel angle information to detect sharp steering wheel movements symptomatic of a sporting driving style or avoidance situation. All these parameters are analysed to determine the required rear-wheel turn angle, which is implemented by means of an electric actuator on the rear axle. Dynamic vehicle behaviour is precisely modelled to set the ideal vehicle trajectory at each instant, on the basis of the driver’s input and the actual situation of the vehicle. The controller and electric actuator are supplied by Aisin, a Japanese equipment supplier reputed for its experience in four-wheel steering systems.
High-performance engines
The diesel version of Laguna GT is powered by a new 2.0 dCi engine, offering best-in-class performance, driveability and acoustics. In the GT, it provides peak power of 180hp at 3,750rpm. Peak torque of 400Nm is available from 2,000rpm, with a consistent build-up through to 5,000 rpm. A reduced-inertia variable-vane turbocharger enhances dynamic response at low revs to achieve excellent performance: 29.6 seconds for the 1,000m standing start, and 0 to 62mph in 8.5 seconds. This new unit is fitted with a particulate filter and an exhaust gas regeneration valve with enhanced cooling to maximise environmental protection: combined-cycle fuel consumption is just 43.4mpg, which translates into CO2 emissions of just 172g/km. With its ultra-fast glow plugs, the 180hp 2.0 dCi unit fires into action instantly the Start button is pressed, even in conditions of extreme cold (down to -23°C).
The petrol version of Laguna GT is powered by a turbo-charged two-litre 16-valve unit (205hp at 5,000rpm and 300Nm from 3,000rpm) derived from Renault Sport technology as featured on the Mégane Renaultsport, and specifically reworked for Laguna GT, to yield the best in performance, handling and driving pleasure. Laguna GT 205 accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 7.8 seconds and takes 28 seconds to cover 1,000 metres from standstill. Fuel consumption is 34.4mpg, with CO2 emissions of just 194g/km.
Distinctive GT styling
The car`s sporting character is underpinned by lateral air-intakes in the front bumper, a larger front grille and black background to the headlamps. Laguna GT sits on specific 225/45 Bridgestone Potenza tyres with new 18-inch ‘Celsium’ alloy wheels. Braking power is provided by larger 320mm diameter discs at the front and 300mm discs at the rear.
GT attributes run through to every last detail, such as the gloss black door mirrors and smoked rear lights. Laguna GT is available in four metallic colours; Mercury, Pearl Black, Venetian Red and a new exclusive GT colour, Malta Blue.
Sports interior
Externally visible on the ‘B’ pillar, the GT logo is also embossed on the light grey alcantara centre sections of the seats. As on all New Laguna versions, the interior design exudes comfort and quality for all occupants. Sports design details abound highlighting the GT version: special three-spoke leather sports steering wheel with grey stitching, drilled aluminium pedals, GT gearshift knob, sports front seats with increased lateral support and dark charcoal Riviera leather upholstery. Close attention has been paid to materials and finish, in keeping with the car’s commitment to pure motoring pleasure.
Equipment and pricing
The Laguna GT range builds on the Dynamique S equipment level and adds:
- Active Drive chassis
- 18” Celsium alloy wheels and 225/45 Bridgestone Potenza tyres
- GT front bumper
- Body coloured lower rear bumper
- Dark background to the headlamps
- Smoked rear tail lamps
- Pearl black finish to door mirrors
- 120W single CD/radio with MP3 CD reader
- Sports front sports seats (note: electrical operation and heating is optional)
- GT steering wheel and gear knob
- Aluminium pedals
- Metallic paint
- Rear parking sensors
- Hands-free Renault card
