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The last beautiful Renault? Laguna Coupé Monaco GP

Published by Gavin Big-Surname at 28th September 2013
Laguna Coupe Monaco GP

Here’s a question for you? Have we seen the last truly beautiful Renault? Take a look at Renault’s website and you’re not exactly greeted with a line-up of supermodels. It’s more nightmare than Knightley. More blimey O’Reilly than Rachel Riley.

Actually, that’s a bit unfair. The new Captur has a certain ‘Frenchness’ to it and the revised Megane Renaultsport looks a bit good. And the Renault Twin’Run? Well that’s a contender for PetrolBlog Car of the Decade (see photos at foot of page).

But beautiful? No. It’s an awful long time since we saw a genuinely beautiful Renault. Do a Google image search for ‘beautiful Renault‘ and see what comes up. Standout contenders include the Renault DeZir (just a concept), the Renault Alpine A 110-50 (another concept) and stuff from the 1960s and 70s (too long ago). So here’s something to consider. Was the Laguna Monaco Coupé GP special edition the last truly beautiful Renault?

Not just good looking or dramatic. Genuinely beautiful.

Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP edition

Admittedly, there’ll be some who’d choke on their Biére de Garde at the mere thought of such a claim, but consider the facts.

The evidence is staring you right in the face. Just look at it – the Laguna Monaco Coupé GP is delightful. An unlikely cocktail that blends repmobile with French flair and a dash of Aston Martin to create something quite magnificent. The rear end is a particular win – the kind of bottom you could stare at all day and not get into trouble with the missus.

The standard Laguna Coupé tends to blend into the background, not least because many seemed to be ordered in ditchwater grey. But the Monaco GP special edition changed all that with its fancy Pearlescent White paintwork, Pearl Black roof, gloss-black alloys and matching door mirrors.

Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP special edition

Renault tried to shift the Monaco GP using typically OTT brochure speak. “Imagine yourself in Monaco’s Casino Square”, it said, as Renault attempted to hypnotise buyers into parting with the £23,805 they’d need to put a little French glamour on their driveway in Nuneaton. “This stylish grand tourer becomes the fashion accessory you want to be seen in. Only a few will earn the privilege and pleasure. Make it your own”, proclaimed the brochure, sounding desperately hard not to sound like an ad for an aftershave.

Renault threw l’évier de cuisine at the Monaco GP, with a Bose sound system, TomTom sat nav, acres of Anthracite leather and sports seats going someway to justifying the high price tag.

Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP interior

Sadly buyers were restricted to a 2.0-litre dCi diesel engine, but it did offer 400Nm of torque at 2,000rpm and 180hp at 3,750rpm. A Monaco circuit-friendly top speed of 138mph was possible and 62mph was achievable in a respectable 8.5 seconds. What’s more, Renault’s 4Control four-wheel steering system meant that the weight of that diesel lump wasn’t quite as much of an issue when you ventured into the hills above Monaco.

We could mention the claimed 45.6mpg on a combined cycle or the fact that dynamically it didn’t quite live up to its glamorous looks or illustrious moniker. But none of that really matters. You only need to look at the thing. The Renault Laguna Coupé Monaco GP is the last beautiful car Renault produced. And there’s every chance we won’t see the likes of it again.

Renault Laguna Coupe Monaco GP

But here’s something to consider. If How Many Left? is to be believed, the Monaco GP is already facing an uncertain future, with numbers already in decline. And we’re not exactly talking about telephone number levels of production. Blink, and the Laguna Coupé Monaco GP will be facing extinction. A two or three year old car will cost you between £10,000 and £12,000, meaning that 50% of the Monaco GP’s value has already been wiped away.

And £10,000 is a small price to pay for such a beautiful car.

Rare, good looking and the last beautiful Renault we’re likely to see. A future classic in the making.

Renault Twin'Run concept
New Renault Megane Renaultsport at the Frankfurt Motor Show

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8 Comments

  1. Ant says:
    12th October 2013 at 3:34 pm

    Totally agree. Laguna coupe ranks up there for me with other top French PetrolBlog modes of transport like the C6 and Avantime. One day we’ll all be grabbing one for £3k. And hoping it doesn’t break in some expensive and catastrophic fashion.

    Reply
  2. John says:
    20th November 2014 at 11:46 am

    could not agree more – a beautiful car. I drive the standard tomtom TD and I am sure that the drive quality of the Monaco and it’s comfort level are at least comparable making it an exceptional choice

    Reply
  3. mkm says:
    18th September 2015 at 3:03 pm

    i drive a monaco coupe whats it worth if i decide to sell 61 plate

    Reply
    • Gavin Big-Surname says:
      22nd September 2015 at 7:02 pm

      That largely depends on mileage and condition, but the going rate seems to be between £8k and £10k. There aren’t that many about, so a good one will be in demand.

      Reply
    • Oc says:
      19th October 2015 at 9:36 pm

      Which version is it? I’m. Interested in buying one but depends on mileage and how well treated it is..

      Reply
  4. Colin Puleston says:
    10th September 2017 at 9:12 pm

    I owned a late 2010 Laguna 3 TT Editon GtLine (hatchback) beautiful car, fully loaded, and amazing to drive, until I wrote it off (High speed crash, and I praise renault for their saftey record, I’m sure that’s what kept me alive !)
    Now, I’m the proud owner of a 61 plate monaco GP, and have to say, it is the nicest car i have ever owned… full GTline spec like my previous, but with the exterior to die for ..
    having owned 4 lagunas before the monaco gp (mk1, laguna2, laguna2 facelift & laguna 3 hatchback) ieven with the problems that renault had with the early laguna 2, they will always have a place in my garage.. 🙂

    Reply
  5. Arselbort says:
    10th July 2021 at 3:18 am

    Reading this and the 406 coupé writeup, you could very well have the worst car taste I’ve ever seen. This one, for instance, looks like a crying frog in an egg with a butt from Mercedes.

    Reply
    • Emir says:
      22nd November 2021 at 12:20 am

      You do know the review was written in 2013 ?? besides I disagree I own a Monaco gp and at first I was thinking of selling it to get something else as soon as I bought it ,but after 2 weeks of driving it I fell in love with the car its quite nippy and a really comfortable drive and handles really well it’s actually one of the best cars I driven , hands down and Ive driven alot of cars, in terms of looks Its like marmite you either love it or hate it , most say its a good looking car but maybe they say that so not to upset me 🙂

      Reply

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