The latest luxury sports model from Nissan, the Altima will be wearing a Renault badge when it hits UK dealerships. The Frech firm is planning a coupe version on the new Laguna, and from the 26 new Renault models that will debut between now and 2009, the Laguna Coupe will borrow underpinnings from the Altima, thanks to Renault's alliance with Nissan.

Unlike the US-model, the Altima has a front-engined, front-wheel-drive configuration, rather than a rear-drive layout. That means a Laguna Coupé would slot directly into the exclusively front-drive Renault line-up.

The new Renault will be powered by the same same 3.5-litre V6 as the Altima and deliver around 260bhp and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in than seven seconds and a top speed of 140mph. The new Laguna Coupe wil be revealed in 2008.