RENAULT has expanded its new Laguna range with the introduction of a 140bhp 2.0 16V petrol engine and a 100bhp version of the 1.9dCi common-rail diesel unit. The engine range will be completed next year with the introduction of the more powerful 150bhp 2.2dCi engine.

Completing the petrol engine line-up for the range, the F5R 2.0 16V ide unit provides Renault with a competitor in the most hard-fought area of the family car sector.

Two litre cars are estimated to account for 30 per cent of M2 sector purchases particularly with business customers. The 2.0 16V engine will be available in the top three trim levels - Dynamique, Privilge and Initiate Ð and in both Hatchback and Sport Tourer body styles. Prices start at £16,345 on-the-road for the Dynamique Hatchback rising to £20,445 for the initiate Sport Tourer.

This reflects a £765 price gap with the equivalent 1.8 16V model giving the customer a 17bhp power advantage 140bhp compared to 123bhp, plus electronic stability programme and traction control as standard.

The F5R 2.0 16V engine provides an average fuel consumption figure of 36.7mpg in the combined cycle. The equivalent Sport Tourer provides 35.8mpg in the combined cycle.

With its 70-litre fuel tank the 2.0 16V Laguna offers an average range of over 560 miles. One reason for such fuel efficiency and low emissions is due to this engine being a direct petrol injection unit.

The engine is available with a five-speed manual gearbox. The package is completed by a twin-mass flywheel. A four-speed proactive automatic transmission will be available in the second half of 2002.