}} 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. File:1994 Renault Laguna 1.8 RN (15369203645).jpg|1994–1998 Renault Laguna (hatchback) File:Renault Laguna Kombi rear 20071203.jpg|1995–1998 Renault Laguna (estate) File:Laguna1p1w.jpg|Interior File:Will Hoy 1996 BTCC.jpg|Renault Laguna built to
Super Touring regulations contesting the
1996 British Touring Car Championship Engines Facelift 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 (110 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 Lagunas 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)==