| First Drive | Figari, Corsica | Renault Laguna GT |

In recent years, if you wanted a sporting family car, one of the last companies that would have come to mind is Renault. Sure, the French know a thing or two about hot hatches, but when it comes to the likes of the D-segment, Renault has traded very nicely on comfort, value for money and an enviable reputation for safety. The Laguna was never going to find a Renaultsport badge on its bootlid, but even the less overtly sporting GT moniker raises expectations. It will take more than a fancy new four-wheel steering system to appease driving enthusiasts.

In the Metal

At first glance, the new Laguna looks to share much of its proportions with its predecessor. However, the detailing is more contemporary, with curves neatly delineated by sharp creases and headlights that would only have been seen on a concept car a few years ago. Despite all that, we wouldn't describe the Laguna as a pretty car and like a lot of modern designs, is quite colour sensitive.

There's no surprise then that the new GT version doesn't exactly cause neck injury in passers by, though the changes to the exterior are quite noticeable when compared to the regular car. At the front, a larger grille and more aggressive bumper design are complemented by headlamps with a black background. The rear lamps feature a smoked appearance too, though the twin exhausts will raise more eye brows. They're not in any way ostentatious though, which can also be said for the 18-inch alloys and black door mirrors. In silver, you'll need to see the GT badges to know what it is, though the new Malta Blue paint colour won universal appraise.

We're fans of the Laguna's interior as it is and the GT version takes the well-specced Dynamique S trim and adds some bespoke GT bits and pieces, such as sports seats, an aluminium gear lever and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. It's a nice, spacious and airy cockpit.

What you get for your Money

The Renault Laguna GT isn't one car; it's actually four. Two 'new' engines are exclusively available in the GT, both of 2.0-litre capacity and both turbocharged. The petrol option puts out 202bhp and 221lb.ft of torque, while the dCi turbodiesel version produces 178bhp, but substantially more torque, at 295lb.ft. The latter is just £170 more expensive, while buyers may also choose between the five-door hatchback or Sport Tourer, with the more practical load-lugger only £950 more.

In terms of equipment, as mentioned above, the GT takes the Dynamique S as a basis, which means automatic wipers and lights, dual-zone climate control, automatic parking brake and cruise control all as standard. Along with the GT-specific components, there is also a 120W stereo and rear parking sensors as standard. Given the addition of the sports seats, etc, the step up in price from Dynamique S to GT is quite reasonable. Not that you can get the GT engines, nor the Active Drive four-wheel steering system, on any other Laguna.

Driving it

Other than the installation of new engines under the Laguna's bonnet, the big news in the GT is the development of a new four-wheel steering system Renault calls Active Drive. The rear wheels may be turned up to 3.5-degrees by electronic control, which is physically independent of the front wheels. At low speeds, the rear wheels point in the opposite direction to the fronts, meaning niftier parking thanks to a significantly tighter turning circle and less wheel twirling in tight corners and hairpins. Above 38mph, the wheels pivot in the same direction as the fronts, which is said to aid stability.

Unfortunately, for all the chassis's impressive abilities and immeasurable improvement in active safety, the Laguna GT is not an inspiring drive. There is virtually no feedback through the flat-bottomed steering wheel - as direct and accurate as the helm is. That's a real pity, as the car's eagerness to hunt out the apex encourages you to drive it with aplomb, but very soon you discover that you're guessing where the limits of grip are. Eventually, the car will understeer, but you won't have been given any prior warning.

Despite that, the Laguna GT is actually pleasant to drive. The gearchange is slick and the pedals nicely modulated. The front brakes are larger than in the rest of the range and fade free in our time. If only the car as a whole communicated a little more with the driver. There's plenty of grunt from the pair of turbocharged engines, and though the petrol unit started life in the Mégane Renaultsport, it has nowhere near as much character in the Laguna and actually sounds strained when pushed hard. We'd like to see a 'sport' button with switchable throttle maps to draw out this engine's character when the mood takes the driver. Accordingly, the diesel option is the better car all round. It's almost as quick in the real world and far more relaxing to drive than the petrol alternative, even when the road is more interesting. It'd be our choice of the two.

Worth Noting

Renault's Active Drive concept will be more prevalent on the forthcoming Laguna Coupé, where it is likely to be standard across the range - though Renault is tight-lipped on the possibility of a Renaultsport derivative. However, V6 petrol and diesel engines will be launched in the Coupé and possibly in the hatch and Sport Tourer too in time.

The weight of the four-wheel steering system is just 19kg, so don't be surprised to see it cropping up on smaller cars in the future. Not that Renault would confirm if it was looking at a four-wheel steering system for its new Mégane...

Summary

Renault needs to be careful with its application of the GT badge. It's an evocative name that conjures up images of some of the most exciting cars ever made. The Laguna GT cannot hope to be one of them, but its new four-wheel steer technology certainly transforms the Laguna into a far more capable handling car and only adds to Renault's hard won safety record. If Renault's engineers can inject some feel into the proceedings for the new Laguna Coupé, it could be a very good car indeed.