Renault Laguna

Renault Laguna
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	1994–present
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault 21

The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. Launched in 1994, the original model was replaced by an all-new Laguna in 2000. Its replacement is expected for late 2007.

First generation

Laguna I
Overview
Production	1994–2000
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door liftback 5-door station wagon

The first generation Renault Laguna was launched early in 1994 as replacement for the Renault 21 liftback, initially also coming as a liftback only. In late 1995, an estate version, known in some markets as the Laguna Grandtour, was introduced, and replaced the 21-based Renault Savanna/Nevada. The available engines included 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 petrol and a 2.2 diesel. A 3.0 V6 with automatic transmission joined the lineup after 1995.

Laguna's equipment levels were gradually getting more lavish, and soon 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 moderate facelift, including a restyling of rear lights and a few other minor visual tweaks. More notably, the engines were updated and, in some markets, equipment levels enhanced again.

2000 saw the final edition of this Laguna - the Laguna Concorde. It had many extras, including semi-leather seats and vocal warnings like "your computer is now checking systems".

Second generation

Laguna II
Overview
Production	2000–present (2005 facelift)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door liftback 5-door station wagon
Related	Nissan Primera Renault Vel Satis

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 easily broken and expensive to replace. The styling of the second generation Laguna was heavily influenced by the Initiale concept car.

The Laguna estate was only available with five seats, unlike the previous model which has seven seats as an option on some versions. It was badged SportsTourer or Grandtour depending on the country, and was marketed as a lifestyle vehicle rather than a load carrier.

The Laguna II had a small facelift and relaunch in March 2005. The engines are much the same as before, with the 1.6 and 1.8 petrol units being offered in some markets, while other countries get a 2.0 petrol unit (turbo or non-turbo) and two diesels (1.9 or 2.2 direct-injection).

Third generation

An all-new Laguna III is scheduled to appear in 2007. There are some spyshots in the web which only show a heavily camouflaged car.

Timeline

• 1994, January - Laguna liftback launched, with 1.8 8V, 2.0 8V and PRV V6 engine options.
• 1994, October - Normally aspirated 2.2 litre diesel engine added to range.
• 1995 - Station wagon launched, and 2 litre 16V Volvo engine added to range.
• 1996 - 2.2 litre turbodiesel engine added to range.
• 1997 - V6 engine replaced with new model.
• 1998 - Laguna is revamped, with some small exterior changes (including new front and rear lights) as well as new 1.6 16V and 1.8 16V petrol and 1.9 dTi turbodiesel engines. These units replace the existing 1.8 8V, 2.0 8V and 2.2 normally aspirated diesel engines (the 1.8 8V remains in use for the autogas LPG model, however). The automatic transmission is replaced by the all new "proactive" transmission, developed and built in collaboration with PSA Peugeot Citroën.
• 1999 - 2 litre 16V Volvo engine replaced with new 2 litre 16V unit, and 2.2 turbodiesel is replaced by new 1.9 dCi.
• 2000 - The Laguna is replaced with the all-new Laguna II. Engine range entirely upgraded.
• 2005 - Laguna II revamped. Minor cosmetic changes in and out, engines vary according to country, with 1.6 or 1.8 petrol units offered along with a 2.0 petrol unit (turbo or non-turbo) and two diesels (1.9 or 2.2 direct-injection). New Renault-Nissan 2.0 dCi engine replaced the 2.2 dCi from late 2005, providing 150 or 175bhp. 120bhp Euro III 1.9 dCi phased out in favour of 130bhp Euro IV 1.9 dCi FAP. The 2.2dCi is retained in FAP form for automatic transmission models only as a 140bhp engine. In both cases, Euro IV compliance is achieved using a Diesel particulate filter.

External links

• Official UK Renault Laguna website
• AutoGuideWiki.com
• Official Specifications