Sydney show: New Laguna looms for Renault

RENAULT was back in the spotlight for all the right reasons at the Australian International Motor Show this morning, unveiling its all-new Laguna and the Clio III RenaultSport, both of which are due mid-2008.

That the Laguna mid-size range will continue with a single powertrain – a 2.0-litre diesel – and the reborn Clio light-car range will be restricted to the sports RS illustrates how tough the French marque has found it on Australian soil and how the focus is now on model variants that Australian management believes will succeed.

Left: Clio RS 197.

The significantly bigger (but slightly lighter) Laguna will up the ante in terms of prestige and ambience and, not least of all, engineering. Paired with a six-speed automatic gearbox, the 2.0 dCi produces 110kW at 4000rpm and 340Nm at 2000rpm.

For the Clio, a wider range of the series that went on sale in Europe in 2005 could emerge after it hits mid-life facelift time late in 2008.

But whatever the outcome, the RenaultSport 197 will be the headline act, with its racing pedigree and natural-breathing 2.0-litre engine that musters 145kW at 7250rpm and 215Nm at 5550rpm.

A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, along with an F1-inspired rear air diffuser, other emotive (but less aero-oriented) visual treats, sports suspension, Brembo brakes and 17-inch light alloy wheels with 215/45-section rubber.

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First look: Renault unveils new Laguna

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