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Renault Serves Up A Hot Three-course Feast

In a sensational triple scoop, Auto Express magazine this week reveals the French company's plans for the future of its line-up.

By Chris Thorp

18th January 2005

The mag's spy photographers have uncovered a showroom-ready high-performance version of the M΃©gane Coup΃©-Cabriolet, while the Modus supermini-MPV looks set to get a power injection, too. Finally, there's the sharp new Laguna Coup΃©, seen undisguised for the first time.

The biggest surprise is the RS version of the M΃©gane drop-top, which was captured in a workshop at one of the maker's factories. Adopting the engine, drivetrain and suspension set-up from the existing Renaultsport M΃©gane 225, it looks as though the new C-C flagship is nearly ready to roll. The car could make its public debut as early as the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Likely to be powered by the hatchback's 225bhp 2.0-litre, four-cylinder engine, the hard-top convertible will deliver a 0-60mph sprint time of less than seven seconds and a maximum speed in excess of 145mph.

Further away in the Renault product line-up - and scheduled to appear at the Paris expo next year - is the sleek new Laguna two-door. The model will aim to take on the forthcoming Peugeot 407 Coup΃©, as well as prestige rivals such as the Mercedes CLK.
To give the newcomer the dynamic ability it needs to be a match for the German heavyweight, it will be the first machine to
be based on the next-generation Laguna platform. Styling inspiration will be taken from the manufacturer's Fluence concept, which was first revealed at the Louis Vuitton Classic car exhibition last June. Engine choices will include normally aspirated and turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol units, as well as a 3.0-litre V6 and 2.2 and 3.0-litre diesels. To ensure exclusivity, the car will be available only through selected 'premium' dealerships, as with the Vel Satis and ill-fated Avantime, and prices are expected to start from around ΂£25,000. Finally, if practicality is more important to you, Renault has another secret up its sleeve - in the form of a souped-up Modus. The mag's picture shows a prototype version of the new machine, complete with holes cut out of the rear bumper to make room for the trademark Renaultsport twin exhaust tailpipes. It was spotted in a compound full of standard models in France.

The hot Modus will be aimed at buyers of the Clio 182, who need a family car with greater practicality, but don't want to give up their va-va-voom. It would make use of the engine and running gear from its stablemate, while the chassis would be highly tuned to deliver similarly thrilling driving characteristics. The newcomer is expected to arrive in UK showrooms later this year.

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