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Renault Laguna

Renault Laguna Safety Prototype

The Laguna is already one of the safest cars on the road, but it's still not enough for Renault. Auto Express visited the firm's testing centre in northern France to try a prototype car fitted with the latest experimental devices aimed at preventing accidents in the first place. For example, tailgating causes thousands of crashes each year, so this Laguna uses radar to judge distances between vehicles. If the gap is too small, a dash display lights up.

By Mat Watson

December 2003

The Laguna is already one of the safest cars on the road, but it's still not enough for Renault. Auto Express visited the firm's testing centre in northern France to try a prototype car fitted with the latest experimental devices aimed at preventing accidents in the first place. For example, tailgating causes thousands of crashes each year, so this Laguna uses radar to judge distances between vehicles. If the gap is too small, a dash display lights up.

It also makes the accelerator harder to press and, if the cars get closer still, the throttle vibrates until the driver backs off. In addition, the Laguna has a brake-by-wire system that applies the anchors as soon as your foot is lifted from the throttle, dramatically reducing stopping distances. This also enables drivers to adjust the sensitivity, feel and biting point of the brake pedal for optimum comfort.

While Renault is remaining tight-lipped about when these safety devices will appear on production models, insiders say they could be available within two years.

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For an alternative review of the latest Renault Laguna visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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FIRST OPINION

    Crash protection is one thing, but it's better to prevent the accident. Renault's systems work well, and should mean drivers won't have to test the Laguna's safety features.
 
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