French coupe - an application for sport or a tribute to fashion? Who is this car designed for, what can it do and how practical is it? In order to dot the “i's” and understand what kind of beast it is - Renault's Megane Coupe - this car was sent for a people's test drive.
The seats in this configuration are made of leather, which gives the interior at least some correspondence to the price, which is considerable for a budget Megan. Otherwise, the interior of this outwardly bright Frenchman can be described as modest, cheap, but of high quality.
The sporty landing is low and deep, which, in combination with a deep torpedo and a recessed windshield, significantly limits forward visibility and causes discomfort at first. For the same reasons, there are problems with the feeling of the front dimensions of the car. Perhaps a taller than average driver will feel more comfortable driving the Megane, but I was not very comfortable. True, maybe I just could not immediately find the optimal steering wheel and seat adjustment, but the fact still remains a fact.
As expected, the 3-door Megane had a terrible backward view. For this indicator, it can be safely put on a par with the Honda Civic 5D and Peugeot RCZ. Driving with the position of the variator operating mode selector R is almost blind. In such cars, you very clearly begin to understand why you need car rear-view cameras and parking sensors.
But already, in turn, it was unexpected that there was a large amount of space for rear passengers. Getting into the back row of seats is, of course, not easy, but by accomplishing this feat, you will be rewarded with a comfortable sofa with a comfortable recline angle and ample legroom. A slight discomfort is caused only by the lack of full-fledged windows; you will have to admire the scenery through the windshield.
The trunk was not small either. However, despite the volume, it can hardly boast of practicality due to its extremely narrow opening. It turned out to be such a liftback trunk in size with sedan access.
Engine, box, drive
I would like to note once again that a painless rectilinear movement forward towards a brighter future was preceded by a painful surrender back almost blindly, not otherwise than into a dark and unknown past. Rear-view cameras would be the first device that I would add to this Megane after purchase. So, finally, we left, miraculously without touching the frightened Lanos, the variator selector to position D and forward. Well what can I say - very, very fun. 2.0 is felt down to the last cubic milliliter. Not that he grabs from the bottom, but the delay from the command "take off" by pressing the accelerator to subversive acceleration with pressing into the seats is minimal. The tachometer needle very quickly rests against the maximum 5 thousand rpm and the car smoothly but confidently gains a hundred. Somewhere after 60 km / h, the acceleration dynamics drops a little, but up to this speed it is a real supercar that will appeal to fans of lighting up in the city. And on the track, it will be good - less than 10 seconds to "hundreds" will not make you blush.
I liked the variator too. Yes, of course, there is not enough gas switching, just as there is not enough living and "breathing" tachometer needle, which reaches its peak not smoothly with the trolleybus, but with respite to change the gearbox transmission, but this car does not drive worse. At least, this variator is clearly better than the Civic robot, which spoils the whole impression of the car. Although, for the sake of completeness, I would like to try this Megane on mechanics.
Inhibits Megane in acceleration - fast, tenacious and informative. I would like to highlight the latter - I didn't have to get used to the brakes at all, thanks to the significant pedal travel they are felt from the first touch. The steering wheel is also informative and at the same time sharp, which is quite logical given such a sporty character of the car. Of course, the suspension is also sharpened in a sporty way, but I would not call it too stiff, rather it is just the same version of the optimal compromise between comfort and handling. The feeling of the drive is slightly spoiled by the above-mentioned not very comfortable fit, however, this is, firstly, a subjective, and, secondly, an individual impression.
Attitude towards the brand changed from neutral to warm
Andrey Vovk, 21 years old
Driving experience: 3 years
Appearance
Renault? A hatchback with a slant under the coupe? I am not biased and without negative attitude to this brand and body, but cool and without any emotions. But the Megane Coupe seemed to like me. And I was interested in trying something new.
I definitely like the look of Meganchik. If the rest of the cars of this brand do not have a very good design (although they are French), then the Megane Coupe, on the contrary, is very pleasant, from whatever side you look at it.
Salon and ergonomics
The salon, despite the comparative budget of the car, is of decent quality. Everything was assembled well too, no squeaks were noticed. True, the sound insulation let down, its level, probably, every owner after the purchase will want to raise, especially from the side of the wheel arches. The car strikes with truly long doors. It is only incomprehensible why the company did not use the double hinge system, as on the Renault Avantime, which is just designed for the convenience of opening long doors in cramped conditions.
For two hours of the test, I did not notice any discomfort. All controls are in place and did not have to get used to anything. The dashboard is clearly visible. I was a little confused by the box by the fact that neutral and reverse should be "caught" somewhere in the center, and fortunately, the machine squeak tells that reverse gear is engaged, and not neutral. The chair pleased with the lateral support, but I had thoughts that it might be a little cramped for large people in it (my height is 174 cm). On the other hand, you drive a coupe - keep yourself in shape :)
By transformation. This is not a minivan, so you shouldn't expect anything particularly supernatural here. However, the volume of the trunk is good news. True, the loading height is too large, and the opening itself is small. The rear sofa folds down. That, in general, is all, and you will not demand more from him.
Engine, box, drive
The machine is small, so there shouldn't have been any problems with dimensions. Visibility, even in the rearview mirror, is excellent, although it's worth noting that there were no passengers in the back seat. The car is not driving. There is neither excessive rigidity nor super-sharp steering. Everything in moderation. By the way, the suspension is surprisingly comfortable, although the car does not roll. Perhaps this is the merit of the high profile of the rubber. Something rattled in the front suspension.
Nowadays, aspirated engines are little by little inferior to turbocharged engines, especially in cars focused on active driving (and the tested car is definitely one of those). Therefore, a 2-liter and non-turbocharged one looks unusual here. But the sound that is clearly heard in the cabin is very pleasant. If you press the gas well, there is a short pause, the engine spins up to 4 thousand, and only then the car quickly begins to pick up speed.
By the way, despite the good dynamics, the acceleration itself is somehow not felt and sometimes you have to look at the speedometer. The merit of such overclocking is, of course, in the variator. Thanks to him, the car accelerates like an electric car or a trolleybus - smoothly, without jerks and with the same engine sound.
Not a bad option at this price point
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pros
Minuses
Total Alexander Mykal, 22 years old Driving experience: 4 years Car: Citroen Berlingo Appearance The car looks modern and sporty. The line of headlights, smoothly turning into gray inserts on the bumper, creates an impression of aggressiveness. If you look at the car from the side, you can clearly see the "top-down" tendency from the trunk to the hood. The center of mass is shifted slightly forward, which gives the car stability and controllability. In traffic, the car is noticeable and attracts attention. Salon and ergonomics In the salon, everything is very controversial. I was not very comfortable. From operating the power windows, which is too close, to switching the high beam. In Renault, to turn on the "far" one, pull the left turn signal lever towards you. I am more accustomed to the movement "from myself". Questions still arose to control the computer and the steering wheel control of the audio system. But, most likely, this is not a drawback, but a matter of habit. Interior trim materials are of sufficient quality and did not raise any particular questions. The dashboard is beautiful and easy to read. The speedometer is digital, but I would like a digital needle as a repeater (like in the Honda Civic, for example).
The seats are comfortable enough, also raised no questions. Lateral support works well. About the landing, two controversial issues arose: firstly, when the rear passenger sits down, the front seat needs to be moved (to make it comfortable - all the way forward), and there is simply no mechanism for "memorizing" the initial position. He would be handy. Without it, every landing of the rear passenger is accompanied by a front seat adjustment. Secondly, the seat belts are located far behind the front seats, which makes the buckling process very difficult. As for the rear row of seats, I will say that those who managed to get there will be quite comfortable. But not on a long trip. Still, there is little legroom.
Visibility in the side mirrors is good, in the rear mirror and in the side windows - terrible. But this is probably not strange for a coupe. In any case, you get used to it and drive. The trunk did not cause any questions. Such cars are not bought for the transportation of bulky goods, and there is enough space for two suitcases. Engine, box, drive There are no complaints about the engine and the box at all - "solid 5". The two-liter engine offers a very wide range of maneuverability. You can go quietly, with a flow rate of 9 liters, or you can fly, leaving everyone far behind, with a flow rate of 12-13. In the combined cycle, 11 liters per hundred were obtained.
The box works a little strangely, takes time to get used to, but after the adaptation period it allows it to merge with the car and eliminate all the shortcomings. The electric power steering left a negative impression. Because of him, I wouldn't buy myself such a car. Empty, uninformative and insecure. The second negative point is the suspension. It seemed to me extremely tough and noisy. For European roads, it is more than enough, but for ours - question after question.
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Renault Megane Coupe modifications
Renault Megane Coupe 1.6 MT
Renault Megane Coupe 2.0 CVT
Classmates Renault Megane Coupe by price
Unfortunately, this model has no classmates ...
Renault Megane Coupe owner reviews
Renault Megane Coupe, 2010
The car looks nice, though not very practical, but convenient for long distance trips. There is only one such car in our city, some people are looking at it with curiosity. I liked the comfortable sharpness of the steering of the Renault Megane Coupe, moreover, it is quite accurate and informative. The moderate stiffness and energy consumption of the suspension pleases, easily "swallowing" small irregularities of asphalt roads, while quite courageously withstands major defects in the road surface. The move is not very smooth, but in this case another is not required. The driver should not forget that he is driving a car with a sporty bias. The engine of the Renault Megane Coupe, of course, is weak, sprint races are not for him, but in principle there is enough power. Unfortunately, "Meganes" with 2-liter engines on "mechanics" are not supplied to our country. Appreciated the perfection of the lines of the dashboard with a small center console, unobtrusive decorative elements - all this makes a good impression on the taste of the creators of the interior design of the car. It is not particularly convenient to use the radio tape recorder, but a very convenient joystick under the steering wheel is intended for this purpose. But the rain sensor works in a strange way, incomprehensible, at least for me. By the way, I also wanted to tell you something about the motor. I was collecting information on the forums, and I learned that the Renault Megane Coupe engine had been tested on previous versions of the model, so not a single, or almost not a single flaw remained, which personally makes me very happy.
Advantages : appearance, comfort, reliability.
disadvantages : not a very practical car.
Gregory, Velikie Luki
Renault Megane Coupe, 2010
At the moment I drove 6000 km in Renault Megane Coupe. The suspension is soft, I moved to this car after the "Logan", I felt a significant difference. The only drawback is, as usual, our roads, well, and even off-road, on which all new sedans are affected by the car's clearance (you feel like crawling on the grass). Stabilization of directional stability is excellent, you can safely enter sharp turns at 60-70 km / h. Bi-xenon shines so that cars, which are 400 meters away, are illuminated. Moreover, the headlights are adaptive, i.e. turn around the steering wheel (this is a quality innovation). The noise insulation of the Renault Megane Coupe's cabin is excellent (the noise is practically inaudible both from the street and from the car). Speakers with a standard audio system work clearly, without hoarseness, and, apparently, the built-in limitation of sound increase is also working to make it comfortable. There is one more feature - the playing music automatically decreases when the car is braking. At first I thought that it seemed, and then I saw that it was intended that way. The doors are long enough, and you have to remember about the nearby cars. Inside, the rear passengers are a little closer than in the Logan, but not too much. More comfortable for the front passengers of the Renault Megane Coupe, still a coupe. Starting from a button is the privilege of new cars. Pleases. It is also pleasing that from the chip card you can turn on the headlights on the car, which themselves turn off after a minute. And also, as soon as you got out of the car and pressed the door lock on the chip card, then all electronics are automatically turned off. So, if you forgot to turn off something in the car, it doesn't matter. Rear windows - paint the main look of the car, they, like the rear window, are darkened.
Advantages : comfortable suspension, nice design.
disadvantages : I do not see.
Test drive Renault Megane Coupe: glamorous Logan
What can a faceless state employee have in common? Renault Logan and a selfish coupe with a sporty claim? As it turned out during our test drive, there is a lot when it comes to the Renault Megan coupe.
"Hot" cars in Russia have always been and will be loved. For most of us, this love remains unfulfilled. But there are those who are ready to spend a lot of money on the purchase and maintenance of a defiantly impractical vehicle such as Ford Focus ST, Subaru Impreza WRXor coupe BMW 320i... And then argue to the point of hoarseness, which is cooler: V-shaped six or boxer, four-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, mechanics or a robot with two clutches? ..
But over time, marketers of automakers, obviously, realized that not everyone's heartbeat quickens at the sight of a cutaway motor and a torque graph. There are those who do not understand anything in boring numbers, in ordinary life they use the power of their "credit car" by 30 percent, but, moreover, breathe unevenly towards beautiful streamlined cars. And, let's say, I'm not ready to spend one and a half million on a car for pleasure, but seven hundred or eight hundred thousand - quite.
It is for such a category of buyers that the "sport coupe" was invented. They are inexpensive to manufacture: an ordinary C-class car is taken, the racks are cut off, the roof is lowered, a couple of fashion parts are wrapped around ... Almost like in the program "Wheelbarrow for pumping". The resulting car receives a 10-15 percent markup and is sold as a purely fashion product. A striking representative of this relatively new class of cars - Renault Megan coupe.
Test drive Renault Megan coupe. Exterior.
So, what is the difference from the "usual" five-door Megan? In general, not many. In the design of the front end, chrome-plated air intakes of complex shape appeared, which made the radiator grill slightly resemble an hourglass in the style of Lexus. The silhouette has been streamlined by lowering the roof at the rear. In addition, characteristic cubic inserts appeared in the taillights.
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Well, Renault Megan the third generation itself is very good-looking, and in the three-door version it is a real handsome man, harmonious and elegant. Even in everyday white color, it looks impressive. Imagine how charming yellow, orange or blue-violet can be Megancoupe. These colors, by the way, are not available for buyers of the "civil" modification.
Test drive Renault Megan coupe. Salon.
Salon Renault Meganthe coupe is also generally unified with the five-door: the same soft plastic, the same ergonomic solutions ... True, instead of dials, a moon-like electronic speedometer display appeared on the dashboard, previously seen on Renault fluence... The only thing that initially put the navigation system into a stupor TomTom... For a long time I helplessly searched for buttons to move around the map on the screen and the center console, until I found a joystick under the armrest. This, perhaps, cannot be attributed to ergonomic shortcomings - you get used to the control system quickly. True, the expediency of buying a regular navigator without the function of accessing the Internet and tracking traffic jams for 20 thousand rubles is still questionable.
Landing in Megan the coupe is exactly the same as in the five-door "relative", that is, high and with excellent visibility - you won't be able to sit "on the asphalt" and feel like a sports car pilot, but it will be more comfortable in the city traffic. The seats here are leather, pleasant, although the lateral support could be more intrusive and the pillow longer. Yes, and instead of the uncomfortable tight "lamb" tilt adjustment, you could attach a lever.
Test Drive Renault MeganeCoupe. Audio system.
Okay, press the START button and start the engine. Before we go, let's set up the music for the trip. We insert a flash drive, looking for a track ... Bah, what a sound! This is BOSE, a wonderful audio system with eight speakers and a subwoofer. And for only 15 thousand rubles - to buyers Renault Megan compartment, I advise you to order it by all means with the saved funds after abandoning the completely useless TomTom.
Test drive Renault Megan coupe. Suspension.
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Why do people buy a "sort of a sports coupe"? For the emotion. And emotions from management Renault Megane Coupe - more than enough. Charismatic exterior, loud and clean sounding music, more or less sharp handling ... And, moreover, it is completely crossover omnivorous! What I didn’t expect from the Megan coupe was a slight disdain for the rails, speed bumps and potholes.
Feelings vividly reminded of a distant relative - a state employee Renault Logan, the suspension of which is invariably paid tribute to all automotive reviewers and ordinary drivers. But the design of the suspensions for Megan and Logan is completely different. The state employee has a MacPherson strut in front and an H-shaped beam in the back, while Megane coupe - wishbones in front and semi-rigid axle in the back. In general, a deep bow to the French engineers for the highest level of comfort.
Test drive Renault Megan coupe. Ergonomic miscalculations.
By the way, "Logan's déjà vu" pursued me further. When it snowed and had to turn on the wipers, an old "joint" was discovered Renault - the presence of a triangular uncleaned area exactly in the middle of the windshield, from where a dirty mixture of poisonous washer, road salt and melt water chronically flows into the viewing area. How many kilometers of reviews were written by dissatisfied owners of "Logans" and "Megans", God only knows. But in Renault turned out to be deaf to these claims.
Therefore, the owners Renault Megana compartment worth about a million rubles will either have to put up with the eternally dirty glass, or immediately go to the "collective farm" masters. After all, they have invented a way to deal with the inadequate work of the janitors long ago: in ten minutes, the trapezoid is trimmed and the working area of \u200b\u200bthe right brush increases. Why the French themselves have not yet "reached" this is a mystery.
Test drive Renault Megane Coupe. Acceleration dynamics.
Another disappointment befell me when I wanted to "pull" from the intersection in a dashing way. We remove the foot from the brake, wait for the green one, slowly crawl to the stop line. A flash of traffic lights, a sharp kick-down and ... silence. A second later, the car with some laziness begins to pick up speed, arrogantly not noticing the attack on the pedal. No, with the set "137-horsepower engine plus CVT" all street races are doomed to failure in advance ...
Kick-down speed test Megan coupealso failed with a deafening crash. Responding to the pedal recessed to the limiter, the engine instantly spins up to 5000 rpm and then creeps to 6000. No acceleration occurs, and this is not surprising: the maximum torque of 190 Newton meters is achieved at 3750 rpm. In general, on our direct Renault Megancoupe does not shine at all.
Test drive Renault Megan coupe. Snow handling.
And what will happen on the bends? It is clear that in urban conditions we did not dare to check the car's ability to give pleasure in turns - we drove onto an empty and winding country road, armed with a camera. But we didn't manage to shoot a single spectacular shot with fountains of snow ...
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ESP and traction control on snow leave the driver no chance to intervene in traction control. At the computer Renault Megancoupe there is one answer to everything - forced gas release along with the transmission ratio, from which the pedal is always empty, and the feeling of the car on a slippery road is completely absent. How to get out of an unforeseen drift at high speed with these "assistants" is an interesting question. Obviously, this car is simply not worth driving fast.
The final chord of a sad etude called "test drive Renault Megane coupe "has become an electronic handbrake, which automatically turns off at speed and does not allow the car to be turned in a sharp turn. Perhaps, on my "herbivore" Logan with an ordinary handbrake and a complete absence of any "stabilization systems" I can get much more emotions than on this coupe.
However, in fairness, it is necessary to make a reservation: the test was winter, but on Megane there was a friction non-studded rubber (popularly - "Velcro"). Perhaps, due to the inability of these wheels to ride on snow, such a negative impression was formed. Moreover, fellow journalists, while testing, just talked about its good controllability, comparing the model with Opel Astra GTCand Hyundai veloster.
Test drive Renault Megane Coupe. Summary.
The miser, as you know, pays twice. And gets less. It's a shame that Renault were greedy to give the Megane Coupe at least one more or less "hot engine". Same Astra GTC, the worst competitor Megan, has two unique engines - a turbocharged 1.6 (180 hp) and a 2-liter turbodiesel (130 hp). AND Megane coupeit is equipped with absolutely the same as on the five-door, atmospheric engine, which develops very modest 137 forces for 2 liters ...
The price also goes biting - a version with a top engine and a variator starts at 880,000 rubles, and similar in characteristics Opel Astra GTC- almost 100 thousand cheaper.
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Having looked at the price list, a potential buyer, most likely, will not even feel in motion and will go to the salon for an Opel. It's a pity! After all, then he could closely appreciate the charm of the exterior and interior of the Frenchman, enjoy the sound of the audio system and the smooth running ... And, perhaps, change his mind in favor of the French car industry.
After all, coupe fans need to feel their exclusivity among other motorists, isn't it? This is definitely all right: for several months I drove and specifically looked out for in the stream. I saw it twice, and the second time, when I approached, I realized: this is the same one that I saw at first.
Text, photo, video - Andrey Chepelev
Configuration and price of Renault Megan coupe
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Equipment |
Power unit |
Price |
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Renault Megane Coupe Dynamiqie ABS, Isofix mounts, ESP, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather-wrapped steering wheel, gearshift and parking brake knobs, steering wheel trim, cruise control with speed limiter, rear parking radar, fog lights, headlight washer system, rain and light sensors, LED daytime running lights, tinted rear windows, heated front seats, dual-zone climate control, heated and powered outside mirrors, full-size spare wheel, driver's seat height adjustment in the lumbar region, chip card with hands-free function, start-stop button instead of a key , central locking with remote control, CD / MP3 audio system with Bluetooth, USB, AUX and steering column joystick. Paid options: Roof with a designer pattern (6000), gearshift knobs and parking brakes in perforated leather (3500), Carmiant TomTom navigation system (20,000), Intelligent video monitoring system (15,000), CD / MP3 audio system 4x30 Watt 4x30 Watt 3D Sound by Arkamys with Bluetooth, USB , AUX and steering column joystick (6000) |
760,000 rubles |
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2.0 CVT |
880,000 rubles |
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Renault Megane Coupe Privilege EquipmentDynamique + lift assist system, automatic parking brake, automatic headlight adjustment, driver and passenger seat height adjustment, rear armrest, intelligent video monitoring system, Paid options: Rearview camera (15,000), bi-xenon swivel headlights (25,000), panoramic roof (20,000), Carmiant TomTom navigation system (20,000), Bose premium audio system with 8 speakers and subwoofer (15,000) |
800,000 rubles |
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2.0 CVT |
920,000 rubles |
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Renault Megane Coupe Sport EquipmentPrivilege + 18-inch alloy wheels, bi-xenon turning headlights, black heated and electrically adjustable outside mirrors, smoker's kit, electric driver's seat adjustment with memory, limited slip differential, red Brembo brake calipers, Cup chassis, tire pressure sensor, folding rear seat in proportions 1 / 3-2 / 3, Paid options: 18 '' Tibor Black Mat alloy wheels (24,000), red body and rim trims (22,000), heated leather seats + power memory for driver's seat (45,000), Recaro seats (65,000), Renault Sport monitor (12,500), panoramic roof (20,000), Carmiant TomTom navigation system (20,000), Bose premium audio system with 8 speakers and subwoofer (15,000). |
1,182,000 rubles |
Renault Megan Coupe specifications
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Engine, l |
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Transmission |
CVT (variator) |
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Working volume, cm3 |
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Cylinder diameter x piston stroke, mm |
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Number of cylinders / valves |
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Compression ratio |
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Maximum power according to EEC standards, kW (hp) / at crankshaft speed, rpm |
101 (138) / 6000 |
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Maximum torque according to EEC standards, N.m / at crankshaft rotation speed, rev / |
min 151/4250 |
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Injection type |
Multipoint |
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Toxicity rate |
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STEERING |
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Adaptive electric amplifier |
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Turning diameter, m |
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The third generation Renault Laguna had a hard time. The previous model significantly damaged the reputation of the Frenchman: regular electronics glitches, poor build quality and massive engine malfunctions, especially diesel 2.2 dCi.
The third Laguna, which arrived in September 2007, faced the daunting task of getting rid of the notoriety. But, as it turned out later, all efforts were in vain. Renault sold 250,000 Laguna units in 2002 in Europe, 90,000 units in 2008, about 50,000 units over the next three years, and just under 30,000 units in 2012.
But the hero of our story is Laguna Coupe. She was assigned the role of a stylish sports car. The model was rich in equipment, and under the hood were installed supercharged engines with a volume of at least 2 liters. The arsenal even had 6-cylinder units with a volume of 3 liters.
They say the Renault Laguna Coupe was originally designed as an open model with a hardtop. This is hinted at by the strong slope of the windshield and the characteristic design of the B-pillars. Probably, the prime cost and retail price of the coupe-convertible turned out to be too high, so only the closed version went into the series. However, the Coupe was not cheap either. The high cost was offset by rich equipment. The owner received a two-zone climate control system, an audio system with navigation, leather seats with electric adjustments, and so on and so forth.
The problem is that, despite the interesting interior design, some of the elements look really cheap. Yes, in general, the finishing materials are of good quality and soft to the touch. But when there is an Audi A5 comparable in age nearby, you will immediately understand that the Laguna Coupe has already become quite old, and the interior of the German does not look as tired as that of the French. Therefore, the two-door A5 is almost twice as expensive.
So what do you get for this money? Plenty of space in the front in the longitudinal and transverse directions. However, there is no space above the head, and only children will sit behind. The trunk isn't entirely useless when the rear seats are folded down. Then you can transport something long.
Frameless doors, although they look impressive, generate a whistle of wind at high speeds, giving the impression that the windows are not closed properly. However, the acoustic background can be tolerated up to a speed of 140 km / h. Over time, you will get used to the strange position at the wheel with outstretched arms, and to the sluggishness of the onboard systems, reluctant to respond to pressing buttons.
On the run
You should not expect sports habits from Laguna. And the active rear-wheel steering system 4Control only makes the car too nervous. The coupe does not like sudden changes in direction. Moreover, each time Renault behaves in completely different ways and somewhat unpredictable. Understeer is a natural manifestation of the Laguna Coupe in fast cornering with a wide radius, but steering responses are too harsh. The element of a coupe is high-quality highways.
The automatic machine, by modern standards, is a little lazy, but if necessary, it can be helped in manual mode. Perhaps the biggest disappointment comes from the suspension. In turns, the car sways a little, and at the same time does not filter out irregularities well enough - the joints are clearly transmitted to the body. On uneven roads, something knocks, then something squeaks - there is insufficient torsional rigidity of the body.
Engines
A delicate and weak 1.5 dCi diesel, fortunately, the Laguna Coupe did not get it. The diesel lineup starts with a 2.0 dCi with 150 hp. and a torque of 340 Nm. Later, a more powerful version appeared with a return of 173 and at the end of 178 hp.
2.0 dCi with the designation M9R has a number of interesting solutions, for example, a liquid-cooled turbine. This increases its reliability, but does not mean that the oil can be changed less often. And although the engine no longer has those fatal problems that it had before, the oil change intervals recommended by Renault (15-20 thousand km) have a negative effect on the condition of the liners and the turbine. The timing chain has a long service life. But heavy loads on an unheated engine lead to cracking of the cylinder head. Almost 400 Nm of torque pretty quickly finish off the 6-speed manual gearbox and even the axle shafts.
At the very least, the injectors can be replaced easily and inexpensively, and the DPF filter is a problem only for those who travel mainly in the city. The service life of the particulate filter is 250-300 thousand km. The EGR valve is controlled by a reliable servo drive, but over time the EGR cooler may need to be replaced.
The 3.0-liter 6-cylinder turbo diesel provides good dynamics. The only pity is that it was because of the "frail" machine gun that the engine torque was reduced from 550 to 450 Nm. As a result, the difference between 3.0 dCi and the most powerful 2.0 dCi is only noticeable at very high speeds and long climbs. Despite the fact that the maximum torque is severely limited, the box gets "great". Therefore, checking the state of the machine is very important here.
A six-cylinder diesel engine is not bad, but due to the large size and limited access in the engine compartment, repairs will be very expensive. The mechanical part of the unit is quite reliable. The disadvantage is the turbocharger located in the collapse of the block. One has only to tighten with the oil change, as it immediately baked.
The safest choice is gasoline engines. In particular, we are talking about a 2-liter turbo engine with 170 and 204 hp. The weaker version works more consistently with the 6-speed mechanics. The machine “eats up” a part of the power, giving ease to the character of the Laguna. It should be noted that the turbo engine is prone to carbon deposits. True, it all depends on the driving style, the regularity of the service and the quality of the fuel.
The 3.5 V6 is a rather rare engine inherited from the French Nissan 350Z. The mechanical part is reliable, but the past decides a lot: how often the potential of the motor was used, and whether the oil was changed on time. During operation, problems with the cooling system are encountered, and a tired engine begins to "eat" oil. Considering that the Laguna quickly discourages any desire to drive fast, the Japanese aspirated engine lives for a long time. True, he is very gluttonous ... 12 liters per 100 km, against 9-10 liters of a 4-cylinder turbo engine. At the same time, the difference in dynamics is not great.
Typical problems and malfunctions
It is very important to check the transmission before purchasing. Unfortunately, neither the mechanic nor the machine is reliable. If there are "problems", changing the oil will only partially help. The owner should always be ready to repair the box.
During operation, minor malfunctions also surface. For example, moisture appears in the headlights, or door seals begin to leak. However, the latter may indicate poor repair after the accident. Trouble can be delivered by the electric seat drive. From time to time, the air conditioner goes on strike, or the on-board systems do not respond to commands from the central console in front of the armrest. Quite often, due to a faulty switch, the cruise control malfunctions. Seat heating may also fail.
Keyless entry problems usually arise when the smart key battery is weak. And if the key card accidentally ends up in the trunk, the car can independently lock the locks after closing the lid. The owners have faced a stalemate more than once.
Conclusion
Renault Laguna Coupe is a car that, above all, should be liked. To buy such a car is often prompted by the desire to stand out for little money. Still, such a car is not seen every day. The choice on the market is very narrow, so there isn't much to choose from. Typically, the Coupe has low mileage and gets good service. The smartest choice is the version with a 2-liter turbo engine, which combines reliability, dynamics and reasonable cost of ownership.
What is art? If we turn to the dictionary, the word "art" is characterized as a process or result of expressing the inner world in an image, a creative combination of elements in a way that reflects feelings or emotions. Can a car be a work of art? Renault includes the Laguna coupe debuting in the Russian market, which we got to know better, to one of them.
The Laguna Coupe is Renault's first coupe since the early 90s. Then, in 1992, the release of the Fuego model was completed in Argentina. And if you consider that the production of Fuego in France ended back in 86th, then fans of the brand had to wait for such a car for 22 years.
In addition, the Laguna Coupe is a real coupe, without any "pull by the ears". A pair of doors, which, of course, are devoid of glass frames, a separate trunk. The purity of the genre, which today marketers wanted to spit, releasing four (Volkswagen Passat CC) and even five-door (Audi A5 Sportback) "coupes" on the market! I wonder who will be the first to think of making a six-door ...
And Renault really counts on the Laguna Coupe to take root in the mid-size coupe class occupied by the premium segment. It's no joke, the presentation of the model last year was held on the Cote d'Azur, "catching" two main local events in May - the Monaco Grand Prix, the pearl of the Formula 1 season, and the glamorous Cannes Film Festival. To which Carlos Ghosn himself arrived at the wheel of the Laguna Coupe.
The door handles and large mirrors are the same as all Lagunas. But the original design of the rims and the ornate "pattern" of the headlights are the privilege of the Laguna Coupe. It is curious that the diameter of the front brake discs on the Laguna is smaller than that of the rear - 296 mm versus 300
The Laguna Coupe was also brought to Russia, a country where, among all models with a diamond-shaped emblem, the affordable Logan is most preferred. What for? For the fact that having established itself in the market of inexpensive cars, Renault decided to raise the brand's image in the eyes of potential buyers. Is the tool chosen well?
So, with appearance - order. But those who sit inside are not deprived of pleasant emotions. And this, by the way, is not only the driver and the front passenger - the rear sofa is quite capable of accommodating two adults of average height and build. They have a folding armrest and a good view into the side windows. But basketball players should not be put there - at first they will groan and swear, trying to climb the “gallery”, and then they will embrace the “navigator” with their feet, propping up the ceiling with their head.
So it's better to sit in the front here. Very comfortable leather armchairs with good lateral support welcome the body of any "format", and the "driver" will like the cool small diameter steering wheel. However, there are not many differences from the usual Laguna - everything is limited only to the aforementioned seats and front panel overlays of a different texture.
The interior of the Coupe version practically copies the interior of the usual Laguna - the same front panel with pleasant architecture, the same sufficiently high-quality materials and a sense of comfort. But the coupe has more silver inserts. The original climate control unit has three modes of operating intensity. By default, Auto is used, if you need to change the temperature as quickly as possible, Fast is activated, and for maximum comfort you can activate Soft
And there are no differences in dynamics. I press the Start button, and the old familiar two-liter turbo engine, which stood on the previous Lagoon, comes to life under the hood. But now it is combined with a new transmission - a six-speed "automatic". However, this is not the best that an active driver can appreciate.
The instrument cluster pleases with the "classic" red and white backlighting and clear graphics. Non-standard digitization - to please the European market. Risks 50, 90 and 130 mean speed limits in cities, on country roads and on autobahns, respectively. A rare case - the real fuel consumption practically coincides with the declared one (12.6 versus 13.0 in the urban cycle)
The right pedal is already in the floor, but there is no expected jerk - 170 "horses" are stuck in a sluggish torque converter. Almost a second passes until the herd gets out of the transmission whirlpool and, with far from the most expressive "voice", rips off an almost one and a half ton coupe. The unexpected thoughtfulness of the "box" somehow does not fit well with the sporty image of two-doors. Apparently, that is why Laguna Coupe gains “hundred” in 9.2 seconds. Although it certainly could have been faster.
The radio tape recorder can display Russian ID3 tags and quickly find the phone using the Bluetooth protocol. But management is a living hell! Not only are the buttons very small, but the logic and layout of the menu also calls into question the adequacy of the customizers. It takes some getting used to, although most of the problems are removed by the convenient steering column control. But Bose acoustics pleases with a powerful sound
But once you pick up speed and the situation changes - the "stretched" stages are not at all annoying in the presence of 270 "newtons" of torque, which the engine, thanks to the turbine, produces already at 3250 rpm. And if you light it up a little, the gearbox adapts and allows the engine to operate in the full rev range. In addition, the manual "box" mode eliminates delays during sharp acceleration. But here it is "semi-finished", as in most other cars with an "automatic" - when the maximum speed is reached, the "box" switches to a gear up.
But on the highway - beauty. It is quiet inside - this is the merit of good noise insulation, and the already mentioned "smart" gearbox, which will immediately go to the sixth in favor of comfort and economy. Know yourself, rustle Michelin Pilot Primacy HP tires, setting on a "cruise" 130 km / h. Aerodynamics is also good - Laguna Coupe accelerates briskly at high speeds, and the wind does not make you raise your voice when communicating.
I was also pleased with the suspension. Track? You hardly notice. Joints and patches? Until the lantern! And, most interestingly, the Russian adaptation did not touch the chassis of the Laguna Coupe - unlike hatchbacks and station wagons, the springs and shock absorbers remained intact. And this is very good, because usually the phrase "package for bad roads" completely kills the whole character of the car.
You should not be sad about the inability to climb the curb or get through the dug country road. The Laguna Coupe sits perfectly on the arc and does not give up in tight turns. And most importantly, everything is predictable. Where he directed the car with the wheel, there she went. It's quite difficult to make a mistake, but if you still go too far with speed or give a swing with the trajectory, then the stabilization system will help. It turns off only up to 50 km / h, and then takes the initiative into its own "hands".
The trunk of the Laguna Coupe is not that small at all - 423 liters. And with one movement you can increase it by folding the back sofa. It is enough just to pull the lever. Under the rug - containers for all sorts of small items, and at the very bottom - a 16-inch "dock" and a simple standard tool
And although the Laguna is far from the agility of the "charged" Clio Renault Sport, on the whole it offers the driver a very good compromise of comfort and handling. True, when you get a taste, then on winding paths you want a more powerful motor - there are no complaints about the brakes and chassis, but sometimes there is not enough strength.
But as soon as you return to Moscow in the evening and slowly drive along the avenue, you begin to understand the true values \u200b\u200bof the Laguna Coupe. The cozy interior with pleasant illumination does not put pressure on the driver, the brooding “automatic” in combination with the “base” engine eliminates the devil's call to “burn out”, and the moderately comfortable suspension settings relax after a hard day. This is not a sport, this is a style!
Renault thinks so, and they position the car not as a sports coupe, but as a spectacular alternative to everyday sedans. Such cars are bought because of their beauty, scarcity and originality. And their owners do not leave black stripes at the traffic lights, giving it to the "street racers".
The suspension of the Laguna Coupe is fundamentally no different from hatchbacks and station wagons. Front - McPherson struts, rear - torsion beam. But the springs and shock absorbers in the coupe are different. And, by the way, you should not be skeptical about such a simple design - the French ate the dog on the settings of such schemes
Although the French have saved up "spices" for the Laguna Coupe. This is also the fully controlled Active Drive chassis, where the rear wheels also turn. These are uprated four-cylinder engines with six-speed "mechanics". And if this is not enough, then the car can be equipped with one of two V6 - 240-horsepower gasoline or turbodiesel with 235 "horses".
The Renault Laguna Coupe makes a very good impression on the move. Especially if you put aside the usual image of a coupe and not rush about the rows in search of adrenaline and a parked KamAZ, but enjoy exquisite habits, silence and comfort while driving. Then even the automatic transmission ceases to be an irritant.
But this is not for us. In Russia, the Laguna Coupe is offered so far only with a 170-horsepower gasoline engine, or with a two-liter turbodiesel, which, although it produces only 150 "horses", has a very solid thrust advantage - 340 N ∙ m against 270. And both of them are available exclusively with "Automatic".
And, although Renault does not rule out the supply of more powerful Laguna Coupe to our market, we should not expect them in the near future. And they will not be as attractive in price as the basic versions. It is in Europe that they love stylish things that are not devoid of practicality. And in Russia the word “coupe” is still combined either with the prefix “sport”, or with the word “premium” that caresses the ear of the layman. How many connoisseurs of automotive art can we find? After all, while Laguna Coupe is not a frequent visitor to Moscow streets.
Standard equipment Renault Laguna Coupe Dynamique 2.0T (1 293 500 rubles):
Front and side airbags + inflatable "curtains"
ABS and ESP stability system
Bi-xenon headlights with washers
Leather upholstery
6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift
Heated front seats
Heated side mirrors with electric folding
Light-alloy wheels 17 ''
Bose CD / MP3 audio system with amplifier, 8 speakers and Bluetooth
Rear parking radar
Two-zone climate control with three modes of air flow intensity
Cruise control
Keycard with hands-free function - keyless entry system and button start
Light and rain sensors
Interior mirror with auto-dimming
Optional equipment:
Luxury package - electric front seats (driver's - with memory), exterior mirrors with memory, swivel element of bi-xenon headlights (35,000 rubles)
Metallic paint (15,000 rubles)
The cost of the tested car: 1,343,500 rubles.
ALTERNATIVE
Peugeot 407 Coupe
The main competitor of Renault Laguna Coupe is the French "lion" Peugeot 407 Coupe, which has been on sale in Russia for a long time. Prices start at around 1,209,000 rubles (including the metallic color), but it will be a car in Base configuration with a 2.2-liter 163-horsepower gasoline engine and six-speed manual transmission. And with a leather interior, Bluetooth and a JBL audio system, the cost of the Peugeot 407 Coupe rises to 1,351,100 rubles.
Only the top-end version of the Peugeot 407 Coupe with a 211-horsepower petrol V6 is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. There is such a coupe without a leather interior, metallic paint and heated seats, but on 18-inch alloy wheels it is already 1,535,200 rubles.
Mercedes-Benz CLCThe representative of the “big German three”, oddly enough, is not so expensive. For the CLC 200 Kompressor "Special Series" with a 184-horsepower 1.8-liter supercharged engine and a five-speed automatic transmission, dealers ask for 1,394,800 rubles. True, the equipment will be more modest than that of not such eminent competitors, although everything you need, including bi-xenon headlights, parking sensors, heated seats and combined leather-fabric upholstery, is available here.
But the CLC proudly carries a three-pointed star on the radiator grille. But with the design of the stern, the designers were clearly too clever, and the Mercedes-Benz CLC coupe can only be considered a stretch - formally, it is a three-door hatchback. The price of the six-cylinder CLC 230 is already over 1.5 million.
BMW 320i
For 1,524,300 rubles, you can become the owner of a 156-horsepower BMW 320i coupe with automatic transmission. The car will be equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels and even bi-xenon headlights, but you will have to pay extra for leather upholstery, climate control, power seats and a bunch of other little things. And not a little - BMW is not famous for attractive prices for optional equipment, so a well-equipped 320i will cost 1,764,339 rubles.
The diesel version of the BMW 320d is only 67 thousand more expensive than the gasoline version (from 1,591,100 rubles), but it looks like a preferable option - the turbodiesel is not only more powerful (177 forces), but also much more high-torque (350 Nm of torque versus 200 for the 320i). So for a rather modest surcharge, you get more speed for less money.
Audi a5
Audi's mid-range coupe isn't cheap, but the engines here start out with a 180-horsepower 2.0-liter turbo. The price tag is from 1,583,200 rubles, the surcharge for the multitronic variator is another 70 thousand. At the same time, the equipment will be more than modest, and for a leather interior and bi-xenon headlights you will have to pay another 150 thousand from above!
Diesel for A5 is offered only one, but what! The three-liter unit produces 239 "horses" and 500 Nm of torque and accelerates the coupe to "hundreds" in just 6.1 seconds. But the price for such a modification starts at 2,123,500 rubles, so that's a completely different story.
Text: Vadim Gagarin
Photo: Vitaly Kabyshev
