THIS WASN'T in the script. We have got used to cars coming from Renault that were often poles apart. At one end there were the squishy - admittedly comfortable - small cars, hatchbacks and people carriers that were loaded with safety kit but were beleaguered with reliability issues and weren't much fun to drive, either.
Then, when Renault did decide that it wanted to make a performance car, it gave us cars like the Clio Renault Sport, one of the finest handling cars you can get your hands on. There was a galaxy between these two extremes.
The latest Laguna, the Laguna III hatchback, entered the market with something of a whisper.
The Laguna II had been so horrifically unreliable that if you owned one you were likely to be on first name terms with all of the staff at the local warranty department. Sales have been "okay" for the Laguna III, with Renault acknowledging that it may take some time for confidence to come back to would-be Laguna owners.
So, when news came that Renault were going to make the Laguna into a coupé, there was a feeling, not least from this writer, that it would be a disaster.
You see, we have been here before. Cars like the Peugeot 406 coupé and now the 407 coupé and even cars like the Alfa Romeo Brera come along, promising to be alternatives to the likes of the BMW 3-Series coupé or Audi A5 and, while they often look the part, they are built on a budget or at least feel like they are and are generally a bit of a let-down to drive. When the Laguna coupé made its first appearance, many commentators, this one included, thought that it looked great, but didn't hold out much hope that it would be any good.
So imagine my surprise as I tuck into my hat, with a side order of humble pie because, much to my complete surprise, I will tell you the following: the Laguna coupé is a really good car. And that is not just in the "it's good for a Renault" or "good for a BMW alternative" sort of way.
Firstly, there is the design. Renault has always been pretty sharp in this regard and the Laguna hatchback is a good-looking car, but turning into a coupé has made it even more desirable. The back of the car could be an Aston Martin and, while the large gaping mouth at the front does make the car look a little, dare I say, dopey, the overall look is one that is really eye-catching.
And it doesn't stop there. Inside, the plastics are good, which isn't something we have said about a Renault in some time, and the look and feel of the cabin makes some of its German rivals look positively plain.
One must remember that the idea of owning a German coupé seems like the obvious choice but, by the time you have explored the options list, paid for a halfway decent engine and fitted it with essentials like leather seats, you can be faced with a pretty nasty bill.
Prestige badge or not, you are likely to only get a fraction of this back in three years.
But more on that later - what is this Renault like to drive?
This is the part which is probably the most shocking. We were fully geared up to not like this car, remember, and that meant we were preparing for woolly steering, a poor ride and a lazy engine.
And initially, all seemed to be running to plan. There isn't quite as much feedback as you would like from the steering, especially if you are used to having a BMW steering wheel between your thumbs, and the ride is a little on the crashy side over bumps. However, a few days into our test drive, we were starting to feel very differently about the car.
Aside from the stupid key card, which Renault insists on persevering with, despite the fact that it is hard to find and annoying to use, the Laguna was showing itself to be seriously impressive.
The engine in our test car was the 2.0-litre dCi diesel with 180bhp. This is the second most powerful diesel after the 150bhp 2.0-litre dCi and the flagship 3.0-litre dCi with 235bhp.
The 180bhp unit is fitted to the flagship GT version, which is the sporty version and, as such, receives Renault's 4Control Chassis, the main feature of which is four-wheel steering, with the rear wheels turning in the opposite direction to the front below 60km/h, aiding low speed manoeuvres such as parking, and above 60km/h they move in the same direction as the front wheels, helping with cornering.
The result is pretty impressive, with the Laguna coupé showing a degree of agility that we really didn't expect and, twinned with that torquey, quiet and ultimately frugal engine, a week's worth of motorway miles and seriously enjoyable back road mischief still hadn't triggered the fuel light. The claimed fuel consumption figures of 6.5l/100km seem very plausible and the Band E emissions of 172g/km can't match the impressive Audi TT Diesel's Band B figures, but still isn't bad for a car putting out 180bhp.
But, of course, there has to be a note of caution. And that surrounds residual values. Even if this car lives up to its early promise and doesn't break down and have silly niggling faults, the fact that it is a €47,000-odd car and wears a Renault badge means it probably won't be worth the equivalent BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz in three years time.
Look at the likes of the Peugeot 406 or 407 coupé for evidence of that. But, on the plus side, for this money you are getting a car that is dripping in luxuries that are likely to add another €10,000 to the already hefty price tag of your Audi or BMW.
So you, the buyer, is left with something of a puzzle. Do you decide to be discreet and not buy the usual German über-coupé. Or do you make a stand for individuality, perhaps have to explain to a few people why you bought your Laguna coupé, and, ultimately, take a risk?
Good as the Laguna coupé is, it faces its toughest rival in the form of the Audi TT diesel, which beats it on price, driving dynamics and cost to run, but overall this is Renault's best for some considerable time and a remarkably good car by any measure.
The market for cars such as this in 2009 is probably going to be smaller than ever, with many buyers cautious of taking a chance on segments that, traditionally, have been risky.
However, this signals a step in the right direction for Renault, and perhaps a sign that the German stranglehold on the premium coupé market might be in for a challenge.
Factfile
Engine: 1,995cc 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine putting out 180bhp @ 3,750rpm and 400Nm of torque @ 2,000. Six-speed manual transmission, front-wheel drive
Specification: standard features include 18" alloy wheels, double Xenon headlamps, dual zone climate control, parking sensors, Bluetooth hands free system, Bose audio system, six airbags including a front thorax/pelvis airbag for driver and passenger, ESP directional stability control, ABS with EBA and the Isofix anchorage system for children's seats
L/100KM (MPG):
Urban: 8.6 (32.8)
Extra-urban: 5.5 (51.3) Combined: 6.5 (43.3)
CO2 emissions: 172g/km
Tax: (Band E - 28 per cent VRT) and €630 annual road tax
Price: €47,490