Laguna Mk2

RENAULT’S mid-sized Laguna II hatch and wagon vanished from new-car showrooms in early 2006, only to return in late 2006 sporting a new face, revised interior, and in turbo-diesel hatchback-only guise.

The engine is a 2.2-litre dCi DOHC four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel unit, delivering 102kW of power at 4000rpm and 320Nm of torque from 1750rpm, and married to a five-speed automatic gearbox.

Visually the car gets a freshened front, sporting a new grille, headlights and bumpers, revised tail-lights, 17-inch alloy wheels and a host of equipment upgrades, including additional noise deadening, electronic park brake, revised "start" card, dual-zone climate control and automatic headlights and windscreen wipers.

Safety equipment includes six airbags, ABS, ESP with understeer control, seatbelt pretensioners, anti-submarining seats, brake assist and collapsible brake pedal and large-diameter ventilated disc brakes.

The Laguna’s suspension remains MacPherson-type front suspension and an H-shaped torsion beam at the rear, albeit with some revisions.

The luggage capacity remains 430 litres with the split-fold rear seats up and 1340 litres with the seats folded.