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Information About

Renault Laguna




  manufacturer Renault
  production 1994&ndashpresent
  class Mid-size Car
  predecessor Renault 21
  similar Citroën Xantia / C5 <br> Mazda6 <br> Peugeot 406 / 407


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


Automobile Information

  name Laguna I
  production 1994&ndash2000
  body Style 5-door Liftback <br>5-door Station Wagon


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


Automobile Information

  name Laguna II
  production 2000&ndashpresent
  related Nissan Primera , Renault Vel Satis
  body Style 5-door Liftback <br>5-door Station Wagon


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.

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).

An all-new Laguna III is scheduled to appear in 2007.


TIMELINE

  • 1994, January - Laguna hatchback 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 Turbo diesel 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 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 added from late 2005, providing 150 bhp.




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