Three a long time in the past, SUVs didn’t but rule the automotive world. On the finish of 1993, Renault offered its new mid-range mannequin. As an alternative of the standard quantity abbreviation, the successor to the Renault 21 was given a melodious identify: Laguna. And in contrast to its predecessor, the newcomer is now not obtainable with a basic notchback.
The style for natural design
As an alternative, Renault builds a trendy hatchback saloon. The Laguna was launched on 14 January 1994. The strains of the newcomer had been impressed by the Safrane. The identify Laguna was already emblazoned on a Renault research in 1990. Nevertheless, it had nothing in widespread with the late manufacturing mannequin.
The property adopted in September 1995. Whereas in France it was known as the “Nevada”, modelled on the Renault 21, in Germany it was given the identify “Grandtour”, which later turned established internationally and throughout all fashions. The fashionably rounded natural design additionally contrasts with its angular predecessor.
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Along with three four-cylinder engines, Renault additionally provides a 167 PS 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine for the Laguna for the primary time within the phase at market launch, which allows a high pace of 137 mph. With the 1998 mannequin improve, the facility output elevated to 190 PS and the highest pace to 146 mph.
The standard of the Laguna was considerably improved, after the reliability of many Renault fashions had beforehand been closely criticised. Consequently, the service intervals had been prolonged to fifteen,000 km (9,320 miles) on the finish of 1995.
Improved ergonomics
The Laguna is characterised by its very ergonomic inside, with a really unique dashboard with all of the controls inside straightforward attain. A placing function is the extension of the dashboard into the door panels with the air flow grilles built-in into the doorways.
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Renault
Renault Laguna I (1994-2001)
The horn controls are situated within the steering wheel bell housing (a primary for a French automobile) and the hazard warning lights are extra simply accessible for the passengers so as to keep away from the recurring criticism from German consumers. Nevertheless, to keep away from offending French prospects, Renault opted for 2 controls for the horn: within the steering wheel and the standard management on the finish of the sunshine lever.
No extra notchback
In distinction to the Renault 21, the notchback is now not there, allegedly as a result of prospects need it that method. When it comes to high quality and reliability, the Laguna got here second in a 1995 survey by the French institute SOFRES, simply behind the Toyota Carina and nicely forward of the Audi 80, the Opel Vectra, the Ford Mondeo, the Volkswagen Passat and the Citroën Xantia.
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Renault
Renault Laguna I Grandtour
Nevertheless, a corrosion downside within the rear wheel arches and the facet skirts was not recognised by prospects till late and necessitated the withdrawal of a substantial variety of automobiles. This difficulty was not resolved till the top of 1995. From section 2 in 1998, Renault continued to enhance corrosion safety. Aside from issues with the 1.9 dTi and 1.9 dCi diesel engines, the primary Laguna of this identify is a mannequin famend for its reliability.
The mannequin vary is initially constructed round 4 trim ranges: RN, RT, RXE and V6. The tools may be very restricted on the essential fashions, however turns into very first rate when you attain the center of the mannequin vary.
Luxurious within the Laguna
The normal “Baccara” model is quickly added to this vary, providing an opulent beige inside with half-leather and half-linen upholstery and ABS from September 1995. From the 1998 mannequin 12 months, that is changed by the unique and fewer widespread “Initiale” model, which provides a full leather-based inside and a light-weight gray inside, whereas the metallic gray “Initiale Paris” monograms are positioned subsequent to the indicator lights.
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Renault
Lastly, the Laguna can even be fitted with an especially luxurious inside, named “Pozzoti” after an Italian designer. This model with a combination of leather-based and evenly felted velvet is barely obtainable in a restricted version of seven items and is reserved for the posh market in Singapore.
Sport from light to quick
The Laguna’s gently sporty orientation turns into often known as the “2.0 S” or “RTi”, with 16V monograms on the entrance doorways and the 2-litre 16V petrol engine (1,948 cc) from Volvo (kind N7Q) with 140 PS (the engine of the Volvo S40/V40). In July 1999, this Volvo block is changed by a extra fashionable Renault “F engine” within the type of a 2.0-litre 16V with 136 PS, however with extra torque and decrease gasoline consumption (-13%).
An much more highly effective model was launched in 1995 because the Laguna Biturbo Hartge. The tuner German Hartge put in the V6 of the Safrane Biturbo right here. The automobile reaches a high pace of 158 mph and accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 7 seconds.
It delivers a most output of 280 PS at 5,500 rpm and a torque of 399 Nm at 3,000 rpm. It’s outfitted with a five-speed guide gearbox and energy is transmitted to the entrance wheels. Solely 5 to 7 items are stated to have been constructed.
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Renault
Renault Laguna BTCC beim Goodwood Pageant of Pace
Talking of the highly effective Laguna: after a season with the 19, which ended with a disappointing seventh place and just one victory, Renault entered the Laguna within the British Touring Automotive Championship BTCC in 1994. Alain Menu and 1992 champion Tim Harvey, who had been drivers in 1993, are retained. Menu and Renault end runners-up to Gabriele Tarquini and his Alfa Romeo 155, and the season brings three victories (two for Menu and one for Harvey).
The Laguna within the press
What did the press say on the time? “What a efficiency,” stated the ADAC in 1995, recognising a small French revolution in comparison with its predecessor, the Renault 21. “The entire automobile makes a stiff, stable impression”, they stated, additionally praising the wonderful gearstick. Based on the testers, it matches completely with the “torquey, high-torque” 2.0-litre petrol engine with 113 PS.
The driving behaviour, together with directional stability and steering, additionally made a giant impression on the German journalists. Nevertheless, the somewhat stiff suspension and the excessively comfortable entrance seats had been criticised. The Laguna RT 2.0 prices DM 34,400, whereas the essential mannequin with 90 PS prices DM 29,500.
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Renault
Renault Laguna I facelift from 1998
In April 1998, the Laguna will get a facelift. Along with new tools variants (RNE, RTE, RXE, RXT) and air-con as commonplace, the entrance finish is fitted with new headlights, whereas your entire rear fascia is renewed and is orange on the high and pink on the backside.
The entrance bumper can be redesigned and fitted with spherical fog lights, that are additionally used on the Mégane I Part 2, Scénic I Part 2 and Twingo I Part 3 fashions. The attribute spoiler with “gills” is deserted in favour of a easy plastic strip, which will increase the bottom clearance on the entrance.
On a technical stage, new petrol engines are launched. A 1.6-litre 16-valve engine with 110 PS, a 1.8-litre 16-valve engine with 115 PS and a 2-litre 16-valve engine with 136 PS. The diesels had been additionally revised, with the massive 2.2-litre dT getting a turbo that improved energy and torque. The very first model of the 1.9-litre dCi with 107 PS then appeared, introducing the precept of common-rail high-pressure injection at Renault. In 2001, manufacturing of the primary Laguna ends after 1.52 million items.
