Car Evolution: New Renault Laguna Coupe Concept Revealed

Renault has chosen the Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil Laguna Coup� Concept, its vision of a top-of-the-range grand tourer Coup�. Intended for the discerning motorist, who understands performance, driving pleasure, and refinement, Laguna Coup� 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 Coup� Concept is a powerful, elegant affirmation of the long tradition of classic coup�s. Rooted in its grand touring heritage, Laguna Coup� Concept embodies Renault�s vision of the sports Coup�.

The look and lines of Laguna Coup� Concept share a common bond with the Fluence concept car (2004). It measures 4.685m in length and 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 aluminium 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 Coup� 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.

Two narrow, elongated lights, together with the converging crease lines, lend the rear a uniquely stylish, luminous look, which gives Laguna Coup� Concept an aura of refinement and power. Encased in the bodywork, the rear lamps are proudly displayed like gems of technology. They are further emphasised by the flowing crease lines which run above and parallel to them before converging towards the full-length glass roof which tapers down towards a central tail panel. Through the roof�s glazed area the third stop light can be seen. It gives off a soft-focus glow and, like a sort of fountain of light, it faintly mirrors the distinctive pattern of the rear lights. To round off the overall impression of sobriety and elegance, the lower rear end houses an air vent that incorporates two profiled exhausts.

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 Coup� Concept�s cabin is exactly how the cabin of a high-end Coup� 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 waveshape of the central strip is the guiding theme, while two side vents close off a long airconditioning strip that runs the entire width of the windscreen.

The interior exudes contentment and well-being. A large, originally-shaped screen in the centre of the dashboard stretches out towards the lateral vents, which are styled to resemble jet plane nozzles. Apart from journey information displays (navigation, radio, music players, video, and Bluetooth� phone kit), the screen also displays ambient images inspired by the science of light therapy. The air-conditioning controls are located in the centre of the dashboard, in an easily identifiable dedicated section framed by vents.

Designed for intuitive ease of use and reach, they are like crystal gems set in a chrome display case.

In a nod to the design codes of high-end sports Coup�s, the spokes of the steering wheel are deployed like the petals of a flower, guiding the driver�s gaze to the binnacles on the dashboard. The ethereal steering column runs into a heavy aluminium shell that houses controls which resemble high-precision micrometers.

Instrumentation is made up of two analogue and digital binnacles in the driver�s line of sight, the fruit of high-precision technology and mechanics comparable to that used in quality clockmaking. The originally shaped binnacles are capped by a porous cowling that lets the light pass and contributes to the way in which the binnacles play with depth and texture. With their mat-finish aluminium surrounds, they have been designed like headlamps.

The cabin�s fit and finish plays on contrast. The roof, dashboard, central tunnel, and the lower section of the door panels are covered with grey faux leather, whereas the seats and other elements (door pillars, instrument cluster cowling, top of the central armrest) are covered in leather with copper and metal highlights and copper-coloured stitching. Laguna Coup� Concept�s floor is covered with a contemporary, protective, metal mesh.

Driver and passenger can nestle comfortably into the roomy asymmetrical front seats, whose airy architecture provides firm, balanced support. They seats are at one with the chassis and wrap snugly around their occupants. Their backrests, whose colour echoes the Aluminium White of the car�s bodywork, swivel to afford easy access to the back seats, with the front seat cushion sliding automatically forward. The two rear seats are also asymmetrical and separate, but the hugging sweep of the car�s waist-belt gathers them into its U-shape, creating a sense of security. Between the two seats there is a ski flap, on which sits a first aid box. Both rear passengers can sit back and watch what�s showing on the Samsung multimedia players housed in the back of the front seats. The

long central tunnel, which houses the slim-style gear lever, the Start/Stop button, and the backlit navigation controls, acts as a link joining front and rear.

The Bose� sound system was tailor-made for Laguna Coup� 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 Coup� Concept.

A Coup� of this class just had to have a powerful, responsive engine to match its elegance and passionate feel. Renault has therefore chosen Laguna Coup� 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 170-195kW (230-265hp) and a maximum torque of 450-550Nm, depending on the version. Good for 0-100kph 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 fuelconsumption, and CO2 emissions lower than 200g/km.

Developed from the same platform as New Laguna, Laguna Coup� Concept is the first car to feature the new four-wheel Active Drive chassis. This high-tech underpinning, developed by expert engineers at Renault Sport Technologies, guarantees the ultimate in sheer sporting sensation and dynamic driving pleasure. It allies agility with stability to set new standards in safe handling. At low speeds the chassis offers greater manoeuvrability, while its road-holding is so true that it cleaves to the road as surely as a train on rails.And so driveable is Laguna Coup� Concept that there is no denying the sheer pleasure of

being at the wheel. The car guarantees high-quality ride comfort and peace of mind for occupants, who can feel the benefits of unparalleled standards of active safety.

Laguna Coup� Concept�s 20-inch aluminium 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 callipers cool. The generously sized 245/35 Michelin Pilot Sport tyres allow the car to handle like a sports car, but in absolute safety, for even more driving pleasure.

Laguna Coup� 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 Coup� Concept.