Renault upgrades Laguna
13 January 2003: Renault has announced changes and upgrades to the Laguna II, just two years after the award-winning car was launched.
A new version powered by the 2.0T engine (2.0 16-valve turbo) and a special equipment package is added to the range, and the Laguna II 2.2 dCi now becomes available with the 5- speed Proactive automatic transmission with flick-shift operation.
There are new features such as ESP with understeer control, and a 4x40w Cabasse audio system with a facia-mounted 6CD changer is coming available.
All versions in the Laguna II range also benefit from new, more attractive trim materials.
In 2002, European sales of Laguna II increased by 10% as compared with 2001, with a D segment share of 8.7%. Second of the volume-manufacturer cars behind the VW Passat, the Renault Laguna II claimed 5th place in the segment ahead of the Ford Mondeo and Opel Vectra.
With the increase in diesel sales and of the shift of mix towards the Sport Tourer version (35%), Laguna II is expected to continue to improve its share of the D segment in 2003.
The new 2.0T will have a 6- speed manual transmission. This engine is a derivative of that which already powers Vel Satis and Avantime and has a power output of 165hp but a significantly higher torque than in its applications there.
With this new engine, Laguna II is able to offer the same level of performance as a naturally aspirated 2.5-litre engine but with 15% to 20% lower fuel consumption in the mixed European cycle.
On the Initiale, Privilège and Expression, the customer now has a choice between a light-tone interior with carbon upholstery, or a dark tone with beige upholstery.