Renault has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil Laguna Coupe Concept, its vision of a top-of-the-range grand tourer Coupe. Intended for the discerning motorist, who understands performance, driving pleasure, and refinement, Laguna Coupe Concept successfully marries high-tech with high cool. Underpinned by the Four-wheel Active Drive chassis, its boasts a brand new V6 dCi powertrain developed as part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance.
Built on the same platform as New Laguna, Laguna Coupe Concept is a powerful, elegant affirmation of the long tradition of classic coupes. Rooted in its grand touring heritage, Laguna Coupe Concept embodies Renault's vision of the sports Coupe.
The look and lines of Laguna Coupe Concept share a common bond with the Fluence concept car (2004). It is distinguished by its flowing, thoroughbred profile, emphasized by a long nose and very short rear overhang. Its aerodynamic crease lines rise from below the grille then powerfully up on to the car's flanks, elegantly underlining the wings. The lines sweep on to the rear of the car, where they come together over the boot, underscoring the muscularity of car's shoulders. The glazed area is highlighted by the pure arc of its rim.
The low, wide, robust aluminum grille is visually original and hints at a powerful engine behind it. This sense of power is further reinforced by the long, centrally-ribbed bonnet that springs straight from the world of Coupe grand tourers. Its front end houses two headlamp units that give it a haughty look as they stretch back along the front fenders.
Premiered on the Nepta concept car in 2006, the LED headlamps use a technology based on the reflection and propagation of light. The light beams from the main headlamps are reflected by crystal-shaped transparent blocks. The intensity and distribution of the light automatically adapts to the driving conditions. The two LED foglamps blend perfectly with this powerfully modelled front end.
The two frameless doors boast their own lights and open on to a totally original cabin. The scissor doors have dedicated Stabilus hydraulic door stays, which hold doors open at any angle. The door sills are ideally placed to help occupants ease themselves in and out of their seats. They bear the etched acronym '4RD' (French for four wheel steering), which denotes the Active Drive chassis.
Laguna Coupe Concept's cabin is exactly how the cabin of a high-end Coupe should be. The dash draws on the principal stylistic features of New Laguna, albeit in a more exclusive manner. With its soft, pure lines, it appears weightless and airy. The wave-shape of the central strip is the guiding theme, while two side vents close off a long air-conditioning strip that runs the entire width of the windscreen.The Bose sound system was tailor-made for Laguna Coupe Concept. The ten speakers treat the four occupants to sound whose standards of quality and power are akin to the acoustic clarity of a concert hall: the perfect accompaniment to the sheer energy of Laguna Coupe Concept.
A Coupe of this class just had to have a powerful, responsive engine to match its elegance and passionate feel. Renault has therefore chosen Laguna Coupe Concept to premiere its brand-new V6 dCi.
The result of close collaboration with Nissan as part of the Alliance, this new 2,993cc V6 dCi block will come as standard. It delivers a peak output of 265 bhp and a maximum torque of 406 lb-ft. Good for 0-60 mph in only seven seconds, the engine is outstandingly supple, rounded, and balanced. It responds immediately to the open throttle with power and stretch. It drives through a 6-speed automatic transmission, offering outstanding driving pleasure, well-controlled fuel-consumption, and CO2 emissions lower than 200g/km.
Laguna Coupe Concept's 20-inch aluminum wheels lend it poise and emphasize its image of dynamic performance and power. Their helix design cleverly hides the nuts and bolts from sight, while also efficiently ensuring that the brake calipers cool. The generously sized 245/35 Michelin Pilot Sport tires allow the car to handle like a sports car, but in absolute safety, for even more driving pleasure.
Laguna Coupe Concept makes a statement about its owner's life-style and personality. A car for the car-lover, it appeals to 40-somethings who are passionate about automobiles and motor sport - connoisseurs who are demanding, ambitious, and driven by a desire for professional success. Prone to falling in love with a car at first sight, they are quite capable of changing brand, and will appreciate the style, the technology, and the design and production qualities of Laguna Coupe Concept.