Renault Laguna

The Renault Laguna is a mid-size family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Launched in 1994, the original model was replaced by an all-new Laguna in 2000.

First generation

The first generation Renault Laguna was launched early in 1994 as replacement for the Renault 21 hatchback/saloon and Renault Savanna estate. It was sold as a hatchback only until late 1995 when an estate version, known in some markets as the Laguna Grandtour, was introduced. Engines were 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol as well as a 2.2 diesel. There was also a 3.0 V6 with automatic transmission after 1995. All models came with power steering, electric front windows, driver's airbag and remote central locking as standard. Most of the range had twin airbags, antilock brakes, air-conditioning and CD player as either optional or standard equipment.

At the start of 1998 the Laguna received a facelift which saw the engines improved and the rear lights restyled, but there were few radical changes.

2000 saw the final edition of this Laguna - The Renault Concorde. It had many attractive extras, including semi-leather seats and vocal warnings: "your computer is now checking systems".. However, following the Paris crash of the Concorde Airliner in July 25, 2000 they proved impossible to sell. Rather than reducing the price in advance of the second generation Laguna, they were sold (at a discount) on the corportate fleet market in Ireland.

Second generation

At the end of 2000, after almost seven years of production, the original Laguna was replaced by an all-new model which shared its chassis with the Nissan Primera (which arrived a year later). The engines were upgraded and the equipment list made longer. It was the first vehicle available in Europe to score 5 stars in the EuroNCAP crash test results. The Laguna featured a 'keyless' ignition system which, instead of a key, used a credit card style device to unlock the car and start the engine - although the card is easy broken and expensive to replace. The styling of the second generation Laguna was heavily influenced by the Initiale concept car.