Renault's new Laguna Sport GT goes on sale next week with prices starting at £15,775, a £200 saving compared with the previous model.

THE word "new" appears throughout the specification of the latest Laguna from Renault. New exterior styling; new dashboard; new clean diesel engines and new safety features. There is also a new GT model joining the range of hatch and sports tourers.

Prices for the new model start with the hatch 2.0-litre 16V Expression at £15,775 on the road and the Sport Tourer 2.0-litre 16V Expression at £16,775, also on the road, both a drop of £200 compared with the previous model.

The Laguna is seen as one of the most attractive all-round ranges in the upper-medium market, and the changes are more than a simple facelift. Trim levels are still six, three majoring on luxury - Expression, Privilege and Initiale - and three emphasising the car's sporty nature - Extreme, Dynamique and GT.

Renault says that special effort has been put into the quality of materials used and also its build quality, as well as taking on board new technologies to improve ride and drive comfort. Looking back to the first generation Laguna, it was seen as a benchmark in safety, the first car to be given a five star rating in European crash tests for passenger protection.

Laguna has generally been accepted as a nice-looking car, so Renault's designers have looked at ways of refining the styling. Consequently, it looks more dynamic on the outside, with the front bumper and grille now integrated into one piece. The bonnet line has been slightly shortened while new headlamps extend along the sides. There is also a V-shaped air intake in the lower section of the car front, and chrome strips have also been added. At the back the only noticeable change is to the tail light arrangement.

Inside, special attention has been paid to the standard of finish as well as to the ergonomics of the central controls.

The centre console is described as being particularly user-friendly, with the audio system controls and heating controls now positioned higher to avoid the driver having to stretch.

There are new fabrics, with velour giving way to softer micro fibre cloth. The car is available with two interior colour schemes according to the trim level: dark charcoal or light beige.

Engineering changes sees a second flagship version sitting alongside the Initiale.

The Laguna GT 205 is a Grand Touring version, available with one engine, a new 2.0-litre turbo developing 205bhp and 300Nm of torque giving a swift 0-62mph time of 7.2-seconds, and a top speed not allowed on UK roads, or ever likely to be.

The GT, with modified chassis, rides on specially developed Michelin Pilot Exalto 2 tyres on 17-inch wheels, and is also 10mm lower in ride height.

Among its distinctive features are the special lower air intake grille, wheels with a smoked chrome finish, a rear wing on the hatchback, and satin-finished roof rails and dark tinted rear side windows for the tourer.

Inside, there is leather upholstery in a mixture of charcoal and red, a satin-finished aluminium gear lever and a dashboard surround finished in a chrome satin. Bucket sports seats are also available.

The engine range includes a 135hp 2.0-litre 16V, replacing the 1.8-litre from the previous range, the 2.0-litre turbo 165 uprated to 170bhp and the 3.0-litre V6 24V with 210bhp and a five-speed automatic transmission remains available on the range-topping luxury Initiale.

The diesel range now adds a 1.9-litre dCi 130hp fitted with particle filter, making it one of the cleanest engines on the market for its power rating. Then there is the entry-level 1.9-litre dCi 90hp, upgraded to 95hp and the 2.2-litre dCi 150hp. Among the new technologies introduced to the Laguna are the hands-free ignition (via a special card kept in the trouser pocket or handbag), automatic parking brake and a new navigation and communication system, operated from a selector fitted where the parking brake used to be, and one that can be used by the driver without having to take their eyes off the road ahead.

Safety measures include improved passenger restraint systems with eight airbags, uprated road holding and braking, including a speedier operating electronic stability control and special under steer control.

Dealers: Dixon Renault, Clifton Moorgate, Clifton Moor, York (01904 667300); Barker Smith, Welham Road, Norton, Malton (01653 693383)

Updated: 12:46 Friday, March 11, 2005