At the international Renault Laguna launch, one word kept cropping up repeatedly: quality. Renault is aware than the outgoing Laguna was a troublesome car, with early models beset with electrical problems caused by much new technology being introduced at once, particularly the LAN wiring loom which was intended to carrying multiple signals between the car's brain and the switchgear.
So Renault worked tirelessly to ensure the new Laguna would be bullet-proof, not only mechanically and electrically, but also in terms of tangible quality.
Whether or not the Laguna's long-term quality improves remains to be seen, but in terms of cabin execution and refinement, it's a definite step forward.
The layout is elegant, the ergonomics are well thought out, the seats are deep and comfortable and the cabin is squeak-free and largely soft to the touch.
On the move it's quiet and cosseting, while the entry-level 110hp 1.5-litre dCi engine is suprisingly capable of shifting the big Laguna along. It's incredibly frugal, too, needing just 4.6 litres of diesel per 100km.
Unlike some previous executive models, Renault has decided to play it safe with the new Laguna, giving it a simple 'face', clean flanks and an uncluttered rear.
Unfortunately, they may have gone too far and made it a little too nondescript compared to the Ford Mondeo and upcoming Mazda6. It's also quite small inside.
Renault has recycled the platform of the outgoing car to reduce development costs and to ensure that the bits that worked on the old car were carried over, but the downside is a rear that lacks the space of the cavernous Mondeo.
The carry-over platform also impacts on the handling which, despite the new steering mechanism and fully revising springing and damping, still isn't as engaging as the class-leading Ford. That's not to imply it's a bad drive -- it isn't - but it's really more suitable to drivers who prefer a smooth ride to responsiveness and precision.
Equipment-wise, the basic 1.5 dCi model, which retails at €26,590, gets stability control, a six-speed gearbox, six airbags (double seatbelt pre-tensioners negate the need for knee airbags, says Renault), air conditioning and an automatic parking brake as standard.
A 110hp 1.6-litre petrol engine will follow early in 2008 reducing, incidentally, the base Laguna's price by at least a grand.Factfile: Renault Laguna 1.5 dCi.
Engine: 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbo-diesel, 110hp, 240Nm
Transmission: Six-speed manual
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: 12.1 seconds
Top speed: 192 km/h
Economy: 5.1 L/100 km
CO2: 136g/km
Boot capacity: 450 litres
Weight: 1,386kg
Base price: €26,595
Equipment: electric windows, electric mirrors, remote locking, CD player, stability control, six airbags, air conditioning, automatic parking, key card