19 November 2001: Auto Express has confirmed what Euro NCAP announced six months ago - that the new Renault Laguna is the safest new car on the road today.

In its 2001 safety test at the Transport Research Laboratory in Berkshire - home of the Euro NCAP crash test programme and where the new Renault Laguna was the first ever car to score five stars - Auto Express found that the Renault outperformed 39 other cars launched by competitors in 2001 in a variety of challenges.

As well as its excellent performance in the simulated emergency lane change, the Renault Laguna was praised for its high level of safety equipment, including a full complement of six passenger airbags, ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution), decoupling pedals, anti-submarining seatbelts, fuel cut off switch, tyre pressure monitors and Isofix child seat attachments all as standard.

Renault Ireland’s chairman Bill Cullen said Renault may be famed for its ground breaking designs and innovative features, but ‘these would count for little if they weren’t backed by the best safety credentials in the business’. He said the Laguna is the first and only car to have scored 5 stars while Clio, Megane, Scenic and Espace have all scored 4 stars with Megane and Espace also topping their classes. TW