TWO CHARACTERS
Hint: in the foreground of the photo is the petrol sister with 170 horsepower. It's her that our editorial calculator favors. By the numbers, the petrol Laguna Coupe looks more attractive: it's more powerful, lighter, quicker, and also 43,000 rubles cheaper. But the turbodiesel's advantage in fuel economy didn't impress much — the average consumption differs by only two liters.
In reality, the diesel Renault Laguna Coupe turns out to be more interesting than on paper. A long stretch of suburban highway behind the wheel of this version flies by in one breath. The peppy 150-horsepower engine generously pours out torque, the automatic quickly selects the right gears and responds adequately to kickdown. Manual mode is also available, but it's inconvenient to use: the lever is positioned high, and the selector's feedback is average.
Inside the coupe with the petrol engine, it's quieter and cozier. This version also dictates a calmer and smoother driving style. But as soon as you press the gas more actively, the automatic starts to hesitate and tries to play along, but often misses the mark. Before overtaking, you have to measure seven times and wait for the automatic to finally drop a couple of gears — and then you sincerely regret that there's no sport mode. After all, the engine can do it! However, by feel, it's the petrol Laguna Coupe that's heavier, no matter what the calculator says. Wait, did the Renault representatives mention sport when they handed us the keys? No, they bet on design and promised comfort. The fashionable metropolitan word "lifestyle" was uttered. So, is the main mission of the Laguna Coupe to show off in the lights of a big city?
Well, let's take a stroll along the central streets and evening embankments. That's a different matter. The smooth and rare shifts of the petrol automatic are quite appropriate here, but the diesel one starts to seem fussy. Moreover, vibrations on the controls of the coupe with the turbodiesel are annoying.
LAGUNA VS COUPE
Two power units — two predictably different characters. But each of the versions individually looks like a dual nature. Each is a "twin" in itself, as if born under the sign of Gemini.
Still Laguna or already Coupe? The model handles better and is more composed than the related hatchback, but you expect more density from the coupe's chassis. The body turned out beautiful, there's even a fragmentary resemblance to Aston Martin. But once you're inside, behind the large door...
Those sitting in the back are in a coupe! But from the driver's and front passenger's point of view, it's pure Laguna. Except you have to reach for the seatbelt, and the characteristic rear limited visibility. There's no talk of a deep driving position: the driver's seat is raised by default. The workplace hasn't become less convenient, but you don't find any bright genre features in such an environment, alas.
Nevertheless, the Renault Laguna Coupe is an interesting model. It's worth taking a closer look at least because of its appearance. There can hardly be two opinions here — the design is successful. And beauty, as you know, demands sacrifices. And no calculator can understand that.
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Getting comfortable in the driver's seat is easy: complaints about convenience are only minor. Comfortable leather seats with electric drives simplify access to the rear row. The instruments deserve a special compliment. The base Dynamique trim includes dual-zone climate control with a "fast" Fast mode. But the trim could be richer. After all, it's not an ordinary Laguna. Coupe!
MANUFACTURER'S DATA
ENGINE
1998 cm3, turbo, petrol, 4 cylinders
170 hp at 5000 rpm,
270 Nm at 3250 rpm
TRANSMISSION
Automatic, 6 speeds, front-wheel drive
DYNAMICS
max speed – 220 km/h,
acceleration 0-100 km/h – 9.2 s
DIMENSIONS (mm)
length – 4643
width – 1547
height – 1400
ECONOMY
average consumption – 8.8 l/100 km