Renault Laguna
Overview
Manufacturer	Renault
Production	January 1994 – March 2015 (LHD) January 1994 – February 2012 (RHD) (except Australia)
Assembly	South Africa: Rosslyn (Nissan) Pakistan: Karachi (Nissan) France: Sandouville (Sandouville Renault Factory) Malaysia: Segambut (TCEC)
Body and chassis
Class	Large family car (D) Coupe
Layout	FF layout
Chronology
Predecessor	Renault 21
Successor	Renault Latitude (Australia) Renault Talisman

The Renault Laguna is a large family car that was manufactured and marketed by Renault for 21 years in three body styles: hatchback, coupé, and estate. The first generation Laguna was launched in 1994, the second generation was introduced in 2000, and the third generation was built from October 2007 until 2015.

Concept car

The 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.^[1] The name was also previously used from 1973 to 1976 by Chevrolet, for a top-of-the-line Chevelle model, the Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna.

First generation (X56; 1993)

First generation (X56)
Overview
Production	January 1994 – December 2000
Model years	1994–2001
Assembly	France: Sandouville (Sandouville Renault Factory)
Designer	Patrick Le Quément (1989)[2]
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback 5-door estate
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6 L 16v I4 1.8 L I4 1.8 L 16v I4 1.9 L N7Q 16v I4 2.0 L I4 2.0 L 16v I4 3.0 L V6 3.0 L 24v V6 Diesel: 1.9 L F9Q I4 2.2 L G9T 12v I4
Dimensions
Length	4,508 mm (177.5 in)
Width	1,752 mm (69.0 in)
Height	1,433 mm (56.4 in)
Curb weight	1,230 kg (2,710 lb) (1.6 hatchback)

With development underway from 1987, design work under Patrick Le Quément began in 1988, with a final design approval in March 1989, and a design freeze by the beginning of 1990. Road testing commenced in 1991 and continued through 1993. The first generation Renault Laguna was unveiled in November 1993 and launched in January 1994. It was the replacement for the Renault 21, although it was initially only available as a hatchback.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 1995, an estate version was introduced. This was known in some markets as the Laguna Sports Tourer, and replaced the Renault 21 Nevada/Savanna. It was initially launched as a 1.8 RN/RT, 2.0 RT/RXE, and 3.0 V6. A sports pack with deep front spoiler, rear spoiler, and alloy wheels was available on 2.0 versions.

A limited-edition of 500 1.8 RT Sport was made available in 1996, one hundred each of five colours including a metallic blue normally reserved for 2.0 models. These limited editions sold out very quickly and so the RT Sport was incorporated into the standard range at a cheaper price but having ABS, air conditioning, CD/Radio, and high-level brake light added as standard (all these were options on the more expensive, original 500). This coincided with Renault's participation in the British Touring Car Championship.

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, an anti-lock braking system, air conditioning, and a CD player became either optional extras or standard equipment.

In September 1996, minor upgrades included a new Laguna nameplate at the rear.

• 
  1994–1998 Renault Laguna (hatchback)
• 
  1995–1998 Renault Laguna (estate)
• 
  Interior
• 
  BTCC Renault Laguna built to Super Touring regulations

Facelift

Facelifted Renault Laguna I

Facelifted Renault Laguna I (estate)

The Laguna received a moderate facelift in April 1998, 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:

• K4M 1.6 16v (109 hp)
• F4P 1.8 16v (120 hp)
• F3R 2.0 (114 hp)
• N7Q 2.0 S (140 hp)
• F4R 2.0 16v (139 hp)
• L7X 3.0 V6 24v (190 hp)
• F9Q turbo 1.9 dTi (turbocharged direct injection) (98 hp)
• F9Q turbo 1.9 dCi (turbocharged common rail direct injection) (107 hp)
• G8T turbo 2.2 dT (turbocharged indirect injection) (113 hp)

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 onboard 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 model of the Laguna Concorde was the last guise of the "old" Laguna to be marketed, prior to the release of the Laguna II at the end of 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.

Second generation (X74; 2000)

Second generation (X74)
Overview
Production	December 2000 – October 2007
Model years	2001–2008
Assembly	France: Sandouville (Sandouville Renault Factory)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback 5-door estate
Related	Renault Vel Satis
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6 L K4M I4 1.8 L F4P I4 2.0 L F4R I4 2.0 L F5R IDE I4 2.0 L F4Rt turbo I4 3.0 L L7X V6 Diesel: 1.9 L F9Q dCi I4 2.0 L M9R dCi I4 2.2 L G9T dCi I4
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,748 mm (108.2 in)
Length	Hatchback: 4,576 mm (180.2 in) Estate: 4,695 mm (184.8 in)
Width	1,772 mm (69.8 in)
Height	Hatchback: 1,429 mm (56.3 in) Estate: 1,443 mm (56.8 in)
Curb weight	1,570 kg (3,460 lb) (2.2 diesel)

Hatchback (pre facelift)

Estate (pre facelift)

The Laguna's card system, and the replacement for a key ignition

After almost seven years in production, the original Laguna was replaced by an all new model in December 2000 for the 2001 model year. The engines were upgraded, and the equipment list made longer.

It was the first vehicle available in Europe to achieve five stars in the Euro NCAP crash test results, which was heavily promoted by Renault. The result was soon repeated in 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, developed by Valeo.^[3][4][5] Instead of a key, it used a credit card style device to unlock the car and start the engine. The initial unreliability of this keyless system hurt Laguna's reputation as well as Renault's reputation in general.^[5] 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.^[6]

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

Facelift

Facelifted Renault Laguna II (2005–2007)

Facelifted Renault Laguna (2005–2007)

The Laguna II was facelifted in March 2005, being launched in the AutoRAI in Amsterdam, according to Renault with improved security, driving performance, and comfort. It also had a moderate redesign of the air intake at the front of the car, now matching the design of the Megane. Sales commenced on 18 March 2005.^[7]

An electronic handbrake was also introduced, this was previously seen on the Scénic and Espace. The engines were 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).

After the facelift, a new diesel engine was introduced, the 2.0 dCi with 150 hp (110 kW) and another variant of the engine which produced 175 hp (129 kW).

Interior

Third generation (X91; 2007)

Third generation (X91)
Overview
Production	October 2007–March 2015 (LHD) October 2007-February 2012 (RHD) (except Australia)
Model years	2008–2015
Assembly	South Africa: Rosslyn (Nissan; Coupé only) Pakistan: Karachi (Nissan, Sedan only) France: Sandouville (Sandouville Renault Factory) Malaysia: Segambut (TCEC; Coupé only)
Body and chassis
Body style	5-door hatchback 5-door estate 2-door coupé
Platform	Renault–Nissan D platform
Related	Renault Latitude Renault Samsung SM5 (L43) Nissan Altima (L32) Nissan Teana (J32)
Powertrain
Engine	Petrol: 1.6 L K4M I4 2.0 L M4R I4 2.0 L F4R turbo I4 3.5 L 3.5 V6 Diesel: 1.5 L K9K I4 2.0 L M9R I4 3.0 L V9X V6
Transmission	6-speed manual 6-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,756 mm (108.5 in)
Length	4,695 mm (184.8 in)
Width	1,811 mm (71.3 in)
Height	1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Curb weight	1,560 kg (3,440 lb) (diesel)

Hatchback

Estate

Coupé

Interior

The Renault Laguna III was officially announced in a press release on June 4, 2007. The car was unveiled to the public at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and it went on sale in October 2007 for the 2008 model year. The car comes as a five-door hatchback (B91), a five-door estate (K91), and for the first time a two-door coupé (D91).^[8]

This third generation is based on the platform D, shared with the Nissan Altima, the Nissan Teana, and the Nissan Murano. The Laguna III was the first car to have gone through the Aubevoye Technical Centre's Electro Magnetic Compatibility unit, in the course of its development.

It was first presented as a concept car, at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, which followed some styling cues of the previous concept car, the Renault Fluence. The production version was revealed at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival, coinciding with the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix to take the wraps off.

The brand new V6 dCi engine delivers 235 hp (173 kW), while the new 3.5 litre petrol powered V6 offers 240 hp (175 kW). The Laguna Coupé later appeared before the general public at the Paris Motor Show in October 2008. In January 2008, spy images of a then possible Laguna Sedan appeared on the internet.^[9]

It was expected the car having appeared at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.^[10] However, this never made it to production. The Renault Latitude and the third generation (L43) Renault Samsung SM5, which is made by Renault Samsung Motors, South Korea is based on the Laguna III.

Facelift

Facelift (2010)

A facelifted version of the Laguna III, called the Phase 2, débuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, and sales began in November 2010.

It has an aggressive front end compared to the older model. The range has been redesigned around six trim levels: Expression, Black Edition, Eco Business, Bose, GT 4Control, and Initiale. Engine side, the only change is the engine 1.5 dCi 110 hp, with CO₂ emissions, decreased from 130 to 120g/km.

Successor

Renault was rumoured considering changing the Laguna name to Atalans for the successor.^[13] In May 2015, Worldcarfans reported the successor would première on July 6, 2015, and would also replace the Latitude in the European market.^[14] The coupé version would also be discontinued, due to low demand. On 6 July 2015, Renault announced the successor will be called Talisman, as part of its intention of unifying nameplates worldwide.^[12]

References