The Renault Laguna is a large family car by European standards, and was produced by the French manufacturer Renault from 1993 to 2015. The first Laguna was launched in 1994, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was launched in October 2007.
The regular production Renault passenger models are unrelated to the concept car of the same name, the Laguna, a two seater roadster presented by the automaker during the 1990 Paris Motor Show. The name was also previously used from 1973 to 1976 by Chevrolet, for a top of the line Chevelle model, the Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna.
In February 2012, Renault discontinued the Laguna, Espace, Kangoo, Modus, and Wind lines in the United Kingdom. In 2015, the Laguna was replaced by the Talisman.
With development underway from 1987, design work under Patrick Le Quement began in 1988, with a final design approval in March 1989, and design freeze by the beginning 1990. Road testing commenced in 1991, and continued throughout 1992 to 1993. The first generation Renault Laguna was unveiled in November 1993 and launched in January 1994, as a replacement for the Renault 21, initially coming as a hatchback only.
In September 1995, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, an estate version was introduced. This was known in some markets as the Laguna Sports Tourer, and replaced the 21 based Renault Savanna/Nevada. It was initially launched as a 1.8 RN/RT, 2.0RT/RXE and 3.0V6. A sports pack with deep front spoiler, rear spoiler and alloy wheels was available on 2.0 versions.
This coincided with Renault's participation in European Touring car championships.
The Laguna's equipment levels were generally much higher than the Renault 21. From launch, all models came with power steering, electric front windows, and remote central locking as standard. Most of the range had a driver's airbag. Later twin airbags, anti-lock braking system, air-conditioning, and a CD player became either optional extras or standard equipment.
It was given a minor update in September 1996, which included a new Laguna nameplate at the rear.
Also, following the pace of the Safrane Biturbo, there was also a high performance version of Laguna, named as Laguna Biturbo. However, no 4WD versions were available, as all power was transferred to the front wheels.
In April 1998, the Laguna received a moderate facelift, including a restyling of the hatchback and the sports tourer versions, and a redesigned front. This also included a different facelifted design of the taillights, most noticeable are the circular fog lights in the front.
The engines were updated and, in some markets, equipment levels were enhanced again. Five new engines featured in the completed facelifted lineup:
For 2000, the final edition of this Laguna, the Laguna Concorde, was introduced. It included semi leather seats, and vocal warnings like "Welcome. The vehicle computer... is now checking systems for you". The on board computer would notify the driver of any doors not being closed, lights left on etc., weather ("Please brake carefully the road is watery") or other faults in the electrical or mechanical circuits.
The onboard voice synthesizer warnings system was also available on the earlier 1998 RXE and V6 models. This is the same basic unit as used in the Renault Safrane.
The Mark 1 model has many bad reviews and reliability issues with everything from rear wheel bearing problems (a common Renault problem over several models) and heavy depreciation to problems with the bonnet latches (Renault use an unusual system that is difficult to set up properly).
The reviews tended to be worse for the hatchback, with it suffering many more complaints and breakdowns than the estate variant, although no reasoning for this has been found.
The Laguna Concorde model was the last guise of the "old" Laguna's to be marketed, prior to the release of the Laguna II in 2000. The last of the Mk.1 Laguna's were registered in February 2001, and the Concorde range all feature a cream letter "C" on a dark green background. This was with the outline of an actual Concorde above the letter.
After almost seven years in production the original Laguna was replaced by an all new model in December 2000. The engines were upgraded, and the equipment list made longer.
It was the first vehicle available in Europe to achieve five stars in the EuroNCAP crash test results, a feature which was soon followed by all other models in Renault's range. This generation was made available in hatchback or estate (Grandtour) styles only.
The Laguna was the first European family car, and the second European car to feature "keyless" entry and ignition. Instead of a key, it used a credit card style device to unlock the car and start the engine. The styling of the second generation Laguna was heavily influenced by the Initiale concept car.
The Laguna II won the title Semperit Irish Car of the Year in November 2001.
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