2012 Renault Laguna Review

The new 2012 Renault Laguna from its muscular bodywork to its streamlined headlights, the first time you catch sight of the Laguna is just a taster of the feeling you’ll get when you drive
it. Its 2.0 dCi engine, the most powerful in its class, confirms this first impression. The engine’s power, both supple and seamless, sets the tone from the moment you drive off. Acceleration is lively, controlled by the 6-speed manual or auto-adaptive automatic gearbox. Agile and responsive, the Renault Laguna is at one with the road. And you’re at one with the Laguna.

2012 Renault Laguna with its 4-wheel steering, the 4 Control chassis gives you a unique
sense of precision, responsiveness and handling. The 4Control system acts on the steering angle of the rear wheels relative to your speed. Below 37 mph the rear wheels point in the opposite direction to those at the front. So, the turning circle is reduced, meaning easier manoeuvring, and improved handling on winding roads. Above 37 mph the rear wheels point in the same direction as the front wheels. When cornering, this means the rear tyres are perfectly aligned for the direction in which you’re turning, and steering wheel movement is decreased.

This makes Laguna highly stable when driving round bends. For maximum safety, the 4Control computer is also linked to the ESC and ABS electronic systems. Because it can recognise emergency situations immediately, it adjusts the steering angle for the rear wheels instantaneously, so you can safely make quick avoidance manoeuvres.

Developed jointly by the Renault and Renault sport technology teams, the 4Control 4-wheel steering chassis is based on electronic control of the vehicle’s stability. The steering wheel angle and vehicle speed are communicated to the 4Control computer by the ESP/ABS unit. The rate of steering wheel movement is also taken into consideration, to detect sporty driving situations or avoidance manoeuvres immediately. Depending on these parameters, the 4Control computer controls steering of the rear wheels using an electric actuator positioned on the rear axle. Accurate, consistent real-time modelling and monitoring of the vehicle’s stability and handling means that it thinks for you, and gives directional control in an instant.

On board the Renault Laguna, technology, pleasure and comfort combine. Door opening and the ignition are controlled by a hands-free card. You approach, and the doors open...You step out, and they lock! The handbrake also switches on and off automatically. The joystick allows you to control the TomTom Carminat navigation system intuitively. A Renault exclusive, this feature is particularly simple to use and offers a whole raft of functions: detailed and accurate maps on a large display (14cm), speed camera warnings*, speed limits, points of interest and easy updating using the TomTom Home application. In addition, by choosing the Live Services, you will benefit from high definition traffic information and mobile speed camera alerts* in real time.

For music lovers, Renault and BOSE have collaborated to develop an audio system specifically adapted to the Laguna. All the acoustic components of the interior, including the size of the vehicle, compared to the angle of the windshield, have been considered. This exclusive audio system is adapted to the particular acoustics of the Laguna, in order to deliver a rich and balanced sound.

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