2006 Renault Laguna 2.2 DCi INITIALE AUTOMATIC Full Review,Start Up, Engine, and In Depth Tour

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Filmed by: Tomaž Kožar Jesenice

OVERVIEW
There was a time when the medium car segment looked set to challenge the Australian large car as the most popular fleet and family car segment when the Toyota Corona, Ford Telstar, Holden Camira, Mitsubishi Sigma and Nissan Bluebird/Pintara were all built in Australia and offered big savings in purchase price and running costs.

Apart from the Toyota Camry 4, this segment featured imports only as it slumped to an all time low of 5.4 per cent of total sales in 2002. Small cars had grown physically to such an extent that they performed the same function as a medium car at an average saving of around 40 per cent in purchase price.

This decline has reversed to such an extent that the medium car segment has been running at over 8 per cent market share for August, September and October 2006, perhaps even higher as several medium-sized imports are classified as prestige models. As small car sales level out, medium car sales have arguably growin at the same rate that the large car segment has declined.

When Renault's most successful years in Australia were built on quirky, front-drive liftbacks with flexible cabin space and low running costs priced the same as a larger Australian family car, the latest Laguna II 2.2dCi Liftback may generate the turnaround marque has been chasing in this class.

Keen pricing has slashed the solid $57,990 ask for the Laguna Privilege V6 auto discontinued in 2005 to just $46,990 for the single fully-equipped turbodiesel auto that has replaced the entire Laguna range on the local market.

This keen new price is even $2000 less than the first Laguna V6 launched in 1995 as an addition to Volvo showrooms before it was dropped in 1996.

The latest Laguna II is a major facelift of the all new Laguna that was relaunched in March 2002 by the current Nissan-Renault factory network based in Australia. Renault distribution in Australia prior to the current arrangements was like a revolving door which killed sales and resale. This wildcard is now in the past.

In a move that parallels the hugely popular R16 of 40 years ago, Renault buyers can now choose a fully-equipped Laguna diesel for the same price as a mid-range Australian large car. By specifying only the latest four-cylinder 2.2-litre direct injection turbodiesel from the pioneering Espace people mover, Renault has ended any confusion as to whether the Laguna was a four-cylinder or V6 luxury car.

After claiming that this new diesel engine offers better economy than the petrol four and is as quick as the petrol V6, Renault saw no point in continuing with either petrol engine. Sleeker styling has slashed the Cd back to 0.29 while providing a Renault corporate look that can make it look too much like a Megane if you are trying to impress neighbours with your Renault flagship purchase.

Why has it taken so long to identify the Laguna's niche? As Europe swung over to diesel, most European companies diverted their resources into perfecting their diesel models. Because these high-tech new models wouldn't run on 'dirty' Australian diesel, importers like Renault had to buy time with petrol engines that were the poor relations in Europe. This changed dramatically in 2006 after the standard for Australian diesel fuel was aligned with Europe for new Euro III emissions standards.

Alas there was a further wait as manufacturers developed state-of-the-art automatic versions when European diesels are mostly manuals. Like Peugeot and Volkswagen, Renault can now really strut its stuff in the diesel arena.

Thus the Laguna is the first of a new diesel range that will extend to the Megane and Scenic models early in 2007. While the new Laguna diesel is a compelling combination of economy and performance, it won't deliver enough savings at the bowser to cover the extra $10,000 in purchase price over the best small cars.

The mid-range Ford Focus LX auto hatch at $26,990 is exactly $20,000 cheaper. It is 4341mm long, 1840mm wide, 1443mm high on a 2640mm wheelbase with a 2.0-litre petrol engine that delivers 107kW @ 6000rpm and 185Nm @ 4500rpm. Its 1300kg kerb weight contributes to a combined fuel consumption figure of 8.0litres/100km and spritely performance if you rev it.

The Renault Laguna II is 4576mm long, 1783mm wide, 1429mm high on a 2750mm wheelbase with a 2.2-litre turbodiesel that delivers 102kW @ 4000rpm and 320Nm @ 1750rpm. Its 1495kg kerb weight contributes to a combined fuel figure of 7.7lt/100km despite its diesel engine. While Laguna performance is much stronger in the low to mid-ranges, its gains might not be enough for some drivers to justify the $20,000 hike.