Renault Previews the Laguna GT
Like man of The Big 2.8, Renault has worked the "everything to everyone" mantra for some time. French manufacturers generally do two– and only two— things well: small, cheap sporty cars and MPVs (Google "Renault Scenic"). In the past 15 years, their large car sales have been unimpressive, regardless of how bad (Peugeot 607) or good (Citroen C6) the models involved. Add BMW's 3-Series and Audi's A4 slicing into the midsize sedan market, and big ass sales of vehicles like the Ford Moneo and Renault Laguna, and Renault's mid-sizers are looking green around the gills. That's why Renault is trying to spice things up with the Laguna GT which has more powerful engines, a sport suspension and four-wheel steering. Buyers can opt for either a 180hp 2.0-liter diesel or a 20 hp 2.0- liter gas engine (I vote diesel). Cool as it sounds, it's a shrinking market segment. Like Ford, Peugeot and Opel, Renault's going to be left without a chair when the music stops.
Immensely bored law student. I've also got 3 dogs.
More by Justin Berkowitz
Comments
Join the conversation
All very true, in particular what French manufacturers do well. This said, I guess those are halo models. I mean, the Peugeot 406 coupe did wonders for the brand image of Peugeot. But the laguna is really quite bland. The Mondeo is such a hit that there's little reason to buy anything else in this segment (unless you want to step up to luxury BMWs or Audis).
That wagon looks like a Mazda 6 speed, from the picture....