|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
3
liter diesel V6 |
Weight |
3715
lbs |
|
Aspiration |
turbocharger |
Torque |
332
- 406 lb-ft |
|
HP |
230
- 265 hp |
HP/Weight |
16.2
- 14 lbs per hp |
|
HP/Liter |
76.7
- 88.3 hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
-- |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from Renault Press
Release) 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 coups. Rooted in its
grand touring heritage, Laguna Coup Concept embodies Renaults
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 cars 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 cars 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
roofs 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 Concepts 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 air-conditioning 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 Coups, the spokes of the steering wheel
are deployed like the petals of a flower, guiding the drivers 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 drivers 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 cabins 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 Concepts 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 cars
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
cars 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 whats
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 fuel-consumption, 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 Concepts 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 owners 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.
