Seen in the mag side...

Seen in the mag side by side with a camera car - ironically an ageing XM from arch rival Citroen - the Laguna Sport Tourer is in production trim and ready for showrooms worldwide. Most of the design changes have been made at the front, where the car"s nose has been sharpened up. Fresh headlamps and a new grille are fitted with chrome detailing to create an upmarket finish, while silver trim is clearly visible all round this high-spec model.

The front"s styling is similar to that of the Modus supermini-MPV, and show-cases a look that will spread across the entire Renault line-up. Expect to see the distinctive grille on a facelifted Mнѓ©gane and all-new Clio and Twingo superminis before the end of 2007.

At the rear, changes are less significant, although the bumpers have been reprofiled in order to modernise their appearance. The company"s ultimate aim is simple - to deter buyers from turning to other practical estates such as Honda"s excellent Accord Tourer and the Ford Mondeo load-lugger.

Part of the next-generation Laguna"s appeal will lie inside, and our eagle-eyed spy didn"t miss the opportunity to take a look at the cabin. While it"s hard to glean too much here, it"s thought the overall design has remained largely untouched. Our sources reckon the same is true for the Sport Tourer"s cargo bay, although the hatchback will have a lower sill for easier loading.

Another selling point for the existing Laguna is that it was the first car to gain a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Its successor will aim to maintain and even improve upon this performance, with a smoother bonnet line and more rounded headlights. These changes will be crucial to gain top marks in pedestrian impact tests.

Despite the visual makeover, Renault isn"t likely to make any major alterations to the engine line-up. That means drivers will be able to choose from 1.8, 2.0, 2.0-litre turbo and 3.0-litre V6 petrol units, as well as frugal 1.9 and 2.0-litre oil-burners. All powerplants will be compliant with Euro IV emissions regulations. Trim levels are likely to remain similar to those of the existing models, but the amount of standard equipment will increase to add value and appeal for bargain hunters.

As well as facing up to class-leading rivals, the new Laguna will have to better its two French competitors in Brit-ain"s family car market - Citroen"s re- cently revised C5 and Peugeot"s all-new 407. Both are striving to gain a greater share of a sector of a market that is already in decline as more of their pot-ential customers turn instead to SUVs and MPVs to transport their families.

The new Laguna will be officially unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March next year, in both five-door and Sport Tourer forms. Left-hand drive variants will go on sale across Europe soon after, while UK-spec cars will ap-pear later in the year.