Kilcanada
20-03-2009, 22:33
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/Renault-Laguna-III_Side-view.JPG/500px-Renault-Laguna-III_Side-view.JPG
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Renault_Laguna_III_Grandtour_(seit_2007)_front-1_MJ.JPG/500px-Renault_Laguna_III_Grandtour_(seit_2007)_front-1_MJ.JPG
SFW Motors are extremely popular here in Kilcanada, selling a wide range of models. You might be forgiven for thinking they've no product direction though, given the range they sell - a mix of European, North American and Japanese automobiles.
We decided to test the new SFW-Renault Laguz, a mid-size car that blurs the lines between family car and BMW 3-Series-size executive.
SFW-Renault are a subsidiary of SFW Motors that have been here for over 20 years now. Established originally to import Renault cars unofficially to Kilcanada, in the late 1990s they began to start marketing Renaults under the SFW-Renault name as early as 1993, and they've sold well ever since.
The SFW-Renault Laguz is a new mid-size contender that should do well. Sold in Europe by Renault and marketed under the Renault name, here we get it as an SFW-Renault. It is also marketed over the border in Astholm, and in Kilmexico too. It is sold through SFW Motors, who are a major automotive distributor here.
Despite the name sounding similar to the European Laguna, it is not related to that car at all.
It comes in four-door sedan and wagon bodystyles. The sedan looks more like a hatchback, whilst the wagon has styling overtones that are a bizarre mix of Euro-Australian motor design.
Two engines are available for our market: a 2.0-litre/170bhp 4-cylinder turbo and a 3.0-litre/210hp V6 petrol. Both are refined and smooth, although the V6 is a little thirsty, and not as fun to drive as the turbo.
Trim levels are Corporate, Sport, Privilege and Executive. Luxurious Privilege and top-spec Executive trim are the only versions which has the V6 engine is available.
The 2.0 turbo models come with a 5-speed manual as standard; an automatic version is $500 extra; V6s get the automatic as standard.
It's OK, but no match for locally-made vehicles like the Celsan Vailze and Alpha 162 - both of which are good, solid cars.
Reliability is good, maybe because SFW took an already decent design (the European Renault Laguna) and adapted it to their needs, but could still be better.
In all, it's an OK car, but not quite as good as we hoped. The size is something; it's not quite family car but not quite executive car, making it an automotive middle-of-nowhere.
All models are built at Mauchlinghampton, Astholm.
Prices and specifications
2.0T Corporate - $44,326
2.0T Sport - $45,112
2.0T Privilege - $46,253
2.0T Executive - $46,412
3.0 V6 Privilege - $46,356
3.0 V6 Executive - $46,442
2.0T Corporate Sportwagon - $44,148
2.0T Sport Sportwagon - $45,123
2.0T Privilege Sportwagon - $46,316
3.0 V6 Privilege Sportwagon - $46,378
3.0 V6 Executive Sportwagon - $46,451
-------------
This car is available for export now - to request customised export specifications, post here! (this is only open for nations who want to trade with us in FSW-Renault vehicles, not personal exports!)
(Note: This car is currently in high demand right now, so you may have to wait for us to export the order!)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Renault_Laguna_III_Grandtour_(seit_2007)_front-1_MJ.JPG/500px-Renault_Laguna_III_Grandtour_(seit_2007)_front-1_MJ.JPG
SFW Motors are extremely popular here in Kilcanada, selling a wide range of models. You might be forgiven for thinking they've no product direction though, given the range they sell - a mix of European, North American and Japanese automobiles.
We decided to test the new SFW-Renault Laguz, a mid-size car that blurs the lines between family car and BMW 3-Series-size executive.
SFW-Renault are a subsidiary of SFW Motors that have been here for over 20 years now. Established originally to import Renault cars unofficially to Kilcanada, in the late 1990s they began to start marketing Renaults under the SFW-Renault name as early as 1993, and they've sold well ever since.
The SFW-Renault Laguz is a new mid-size contender that should do well. Sold in Europe by Renault and marketed under the Renault name, here we get it as an SFW-Renault. It is also marketed over the border in Astholm, and in Kilmexico too. It is sold through SFW Motors, who are a major automotive distributor here.
Despite the name sounding similar to the European Laguna, it is not related to that car at all.
It comes in four-door sedan and wagon bodystyles. The sedan looks more like a hatchback, whilst the wagon has styling overtones that are a bizarre mix of Euro-Australian motor design.
Two engines are available for our market: a 2.0-litre/170bhp 4-cylinder turbo and a 3.0-litre/210hp V6 petrol. Both are refined and smooth, although the V6 is a little thirsty, and not as fun to drive as the turbo.
Trim levels are Corporate, Sport, Privilege and Executive. Luxurious Privilege and top-spec Executive trim are the only versions which has the V6 engine is available.
The 2.0 turbo models come with a 5-speed manual as standard; an automatic version is $500 extra; V6s get the automatic as standard.
It's OK, but no match for locally-made vehicles like the Celsan Vailze and Alpha 162 - both of which are good, solid cars.
Reliability is good, maybe because SFW took an already decent design (the European Renault Laguna) and adapted it to their needs, but could still be better.
In all, it's an OK car, but not quite as good as we hoped. The size is something; it's not quite family car but not quite executive car, making it an automotive middle-of-nowhere.
All models are built at Mauchlinghampton, Astholm.
Prices and specifications
2.0T Corporate - $44,326
2.0T Sport - $45,112
2.0T Privilege - $46,253
2.0T Executive - $46,412
3.0 V6 Privilege - $46,356
3.0 V6 Executive - $46,442
2.0T Corporate Sportwagon - $44,148
2.0T Sport Sportwagon - $45,123
2.0T Privilege Sportwagon - $46,316
3.0 V6 Privilege Sportwagon - $46,378
3.0 V6 Executive Sportwagon - $46,451
-------------
This car is available for export now - to request customised export specifications, post here! (this is only open for nations who want to trade with us in FSW-Renault vehicles, not personal exports!)
(Note: This car is currently in high demand right now, so you may have to wait for us to export the order!)