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Following on from our...
Following on from our official pictures last week, these images show Renault"s Laguna Coupé in action on the streets of Monaco after its unveiling at the 61st Cannes Film Festival in France.
Due to go on sale in the UK in November, it will battle for sales with the TT and new Volkswagen Scirocco. But the Coupé hasnò€™t lost any of the head-turning looks that made the original concept such a crowd-puller at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September. It gets a sleek profile and a smooth nose, and is daring and desirable, with shades of Aston Martinò€™s V8 Vantage from the rear.
At the front, the slim headlights stretch back into the bonnet. Theyò€™re accompanied by two neat foglamps, while a broad grille dominates the bumper. In profile, the Coupé shows off a steeply raked roofline and small windows, which give it a chunky yet athletic stance. At the rear, there are narrow LED tail-lights and a distinctive lip to the bootlid.
Measuring 4.6 metres long, 1.4m high and 1.83m wide, the Laguna Coupé is similar in size to the BMW 3-Series, albeit slightly narrower. And as well as that model, the TT and Scirocco, Renault hopes the car will tempt buyers away from the Mazda RX-8, Peugeot 407 Coupé and forthcoming Hyundai two-door.
The show carò€™s scissor doors have been dropped in favour of conventional items, and the interior isnò€™t quite as dramatic, but the Laguna still features a classy driving environment. Itò€™s effectively an upmarket version of the cabin design seen in the Laguna hatchback, so itò€™s clearly laid out and finished to a high standard.
In the back, the Coupéò€™s 2+2 layout means there is some space for passengers, while up front, the driving position is lower than in the hatch to provide a sportier feel. Expect generous standard equipment, including climate control, keyless starting, Blue-tooth phone connectivity and the latest satellite navigation systems.
As for the driving experience, Renault will be keen to build on the reputation it gained when developing hot hatches such as the Renaultsport Clio and Mégane. So expect agile handling, plenty of involvement and a fine ride. Flagship versions of the car will be available with the same Active Drive four-wheel-steering system as the GT-spec Laguna hatchback.
Engines are also set to be shared with the five-door model, so buyers can choose from a 168bhp 2.0-litre turbo-charged petrol unit or a 2.0-litre dCi diesel in 128bhp and 148bhp guises. However, Renault has brought in two powerful new V6 engines for top-of-the-range models.
The first is a 3.5-litre petrol unit derived from that used in partner firm Nissanò€™s 350Z. It boasts 240bhp and 330Nm of torque. There will also be a 3.0-litre V6 diesel delivering 235bhp and 450Nm of torque.
Both are linked to automatic gearboxes, and will be capable of propelling the car from 0-60mph in less than seven seconds. Prices have yet to be confirmed, but the Laguna Coupé will cost more than the equivalent hatchback. So entry-level versions are set to start at around Ò£22,000 when they arrive in UK dealers in November.