What’s new: Renault has injected some much-needed style and glamour to its new Laguna range with the coupe version. Coming with two petrol and three diesel engines, we’ve sampled the middle diesel, the 2.0-litre 180PS version
Excellent: The car’s a real head-turner, with hints of Aston Martin around the rear and a sleek, pretty profile. It’s reminiscent of the way Peugeot‘s 406 Coupe made you wonder how such a pretty car can be based on a mundane hatchback.
Good: This GT version is stacked with equipment including full leather, keyless entry and Renault’s 4Control four-wheel steering system. Entry 150PS diesel and 205PS petrol models are, though, less well equipped. The £23,685 P11D is also not too bad.
Average: Many fleets will rule out this 180PS version because it’s well over the new 160g/km capital allowance threshold with CO2 emissions of 172g/km. The cost per mile of 57.2p is also pretty hefty for a Renault.
Poor: The ride quality is the Laguna’s biggest let down. It’s not expected to rival a BMW for driving pleasure, but the hard, unsettled ride is a real disappointment in what would otherwise have been a car suited to long-distance cruising.
Verdict: Very pretty coupe has little substance behind the style, given unsettled ride quality, reasonably high cost per mile and emissions that will discourage fleets.
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