Renault Coupe Takes Shape

It''s French-bred - but it certainly isn't crusty! This week's mag carries the sensational first picture of the stylish new Renault Coupé, which is currently in development. The company is hoping it will rise to the challenge presented by Peugeot's 407 Coupé, due next year, plus upmarket rivals such as the BMW 3-Series two-door and the Mercedes CLK.

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By Craig Cheetham

02nd September 2004

The newcomer will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show - but not the expo opening later this month, the one in 2006! Set to appear on forecourts soon after, the sportster will be the first model to be based on the next Laguna platform. And as its chassis will be adaptable for both front and rear-wheel drive, the stunning Renault should also deliver dynamic excellence.

The mag's exclusive picture also shows that the newcomer will take its styling cues from the Fluence concept, which was unveiled at the Louis Vuitton Classic event in Oxfordshire in June. Features lifted from the prototype include the angular headlamps and full-length glass roof. The performance Laguna will be the firm's first proper coup΃© since the Alpine A610 GTA was axed in 1993. But unlike the old car, it won't be mid-engined; instead the newcomer will have the powerplant in the front and a pair of rear seats, giving it 2+2 appeal.

And the Coup΃© is likely to come with the 280bhp 3.5-litre V6 unit offered in Nissan's 350Z, while a 3.0-litre V6, 2.0-litre turbo and 2.2 dCi diesel are also on the cards. Of these, only the 3.5 will feed power to the rear wheels.

Meanwhile, the model could mark Renault's return to the US, where it will be sold alongside the next-generation Vel Satis. The company has been absent from the States since 1987.