Volvo 850

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Volvo 850
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1992–1997
Predecessor	Volvo 200 series Volvo 700 series
Successor	Volvo S70
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Length	4700 mm (sedan) 4750 mm (estate)
Width	1770 mm
Similar	Acura Vigor Alfa Romeo 155 BMW 3-Series Audi A4 Lexus ES Mercedes-Benz C-Class Saab 900

The Volvo 850 was a compact luxury car, that would also be considered a compact executive car, produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo Cars between 1992 and 1997. Available in sedan and station wagon body styles, the Volvo 850 is notable as the first front-wheel drive vehicle from this Swedish manufacturer to be exported to North America. It is often considered the vehicle that gave Volvo its reputation as a high-end auto maker in North America due to the level of features not offered in previous models. At the time of its development, the 850 was regarded as one of the largest engineering endeavours in Sweden.

Contents 1 Overview 2 Rear suspension 3 Motorsport 4 Trims (U.S.) 5 References 6 External links

[edit] Overview

The Volvo 850 was introduced worldwide as a 1992 model, except for the U.S. where it arrived in the 1993 model year. It was sold as a sedan, with a wagon model on sale from 1994. The 850 was the first model in the U.S. to feature front-wheel drive and an all-aluminum 20-valve five-cylinder engine. The 850 was Volvo's top-seller in the mid-1990s. In markets outside the U.S. a 10-valve variant of the five-cylinder was popular for its lower cost and better fuel mileage.

All U.S. 850s received standard equipment such as dual front airbags, antilock brakes, head restraints and three-point seat belts for all passengers, power windows, door locks, and mirrors, cruise control, and dual zone climate control. Side torso airbags became a world first when introduced as an option for 1995. Some other options during the model run included features such as traction control, leather interior, power glass moonroof, power seats, heated seats, remote keyless entry, automatic climate control, and automatic transmission.

The 850 sedan featured a remarkable interior space of 2.80 m³ (99 cubic feet). This is slightly more than the 2.78 m³ (98 cubic feet) of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class even though the car is reasonably compact on the outside. This space was achieved by mounting the in-line 5-cylinder engine transversely (from the left to the right of the car) under the hood. The road-holding and handling were also vastly improved over the previous rear-wheel drive Volvos.

The 850 Turbo Wagon was one of the fastest production station wagons in the world, capable of 250+ kph (160+ mph) when ungoverned. Production models of the wagon and sedan were electronically governed to approximately 142 mph. http://www.lacar.com/lenfrank/volvo's.htm

In 1998, the model line was updated, and renamed the Volvo S70 (sedan) and Volvo V70 (station wagon). These vehicles were sold in the U.S. through the 2000 model year when they were replaced by the 2001 Volvo S60 and Volvo V70.

[edit] Rear suspension

For the 850, Volvo created what it called "Delta-link semi-independent rear suspension". Volvo held a U.S. patent for rear axle bushings that compress under load so as give the Volvo 850 passive rear steering. The car also had a tight turning circle, 10.2 m (33.5 ft), and was considered very manoeuvrable. By comparison, later large Volvos had a 11.9 m (39 ft) turning circle.

[edit] Motorsport

Legendary Australian race driver Peter Brock drove a Volvo 850 touring car in a one-off Bathurst 12-hour endurance event in 1994, and drove the car in the 1996 Australian Super Touring Championship. Volvo joined forces with the famous and very successful Tom Walkinshaw Racing team (TWR) in 1994 to build an 850 Estate touring car to compete in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Despite much criticism, the 850 Estate performed well, with a best placed finish of fifth, and a best qualifying spot of 3rd. It was driven by Rickard Rydell and Jan Lammers and Volvo finished sixth in manufacturers standings in he 1994 season. In 1995, TWR and Volvo built the 850R Saloon BTCC Racer and this won five races, qualified on pole position 13 times with Rickard Rydell and Tim Harvey and finished third in the championship. The switch was due in main to the change in BTCC regulations which allowed aerodynamic aids (spoilers) which effectiviely ended any chance of the Estate being fully competetive. In 1996, an improved 850R saloon raced which boasted eight wins with Rickard Rydell and Kelvin Burt and finished third in the championship.

[edit] Trims (U.S.)

All manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRPs) are base prices only.

1993:

• 850 GLT ($24,800 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm

All 1993 850 models were badged GLT, regardless of equipment. Many options (leather, sunroof, and more) were bundled into the Touring package.

1994:

• 850 ($24,300 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo ($29,985 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm

The base 850 sedan includes the same headlights, front valance and front and rear bumper as the 1993 850, while all other models, including the new wagon, get revised headlights, front valances, and front and rear bumpers. The GLT badge is dropped, although all the same equipment is available. The 222 hp Turbo sedan and wagon, as well as the normally aspirated 168 hp wagon, are new models this year.

1995:

• 850 ($24,580 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 GLT ($27,110 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo ($31,045 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 T 5R ($35,545 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm

The GLT badge returned for the 1995 model year, so there were now sedan and wagon versions of the 850, 850 GLT, 850 Turbo, and 850 T-5R. The T-5R was the new high performance model, with more power stemming from ECU tuning, and special suspension, trim and wheels. In addition to the introduction of the T-5R, changes included new tail-lights for sedans, optional side airbags, new interior switch-gear design and several other detail changes.

1996:

• 850 ($26,125 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4700 rpm
• 850 GLT ($29,200 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo ($32,650 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R ($37,925 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm

Changes this year include a revised power door lock system, new exterior colors, and full OBD-II compliance. The T5-R high performance version became the R in 1996, but the performance differences remained relatively the same.

1997:

• 850 ($26,710 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 GLT ($31,835 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 190 hp (142 kW) @ 5100 rpm and 199 ft·lbf (270 N·m) at 1600 rpm
• 850 T-5 ($34,500 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R ($38,685 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm

For 1997, the 850's final year, all GLT models were increased to 190 hp (142 kW) by pairing a low-pressure turbocharger with the 2.4 L engine. The 850 Turbo model was thence called the 850 T-5. The 1997 model year was short, as the substantially similar (virtually identical except for superficial styling changes) Volvo S70 sedan and Volvo V70 wagon were introduced during the first half of 1997.

[edit] References

• Ford Communications Network, "The Spiritual Predictor of Volvo Today", Ford Motor Company, Brad Nevin, Michigan, 29 April 2005

[edit] External links

• Volvo Cars (U.S.) Site
• Volvo Technical Website
• The Brickboard (A Volvo Owners Resource) Site
• Volvospeed (A Volvo Enthusiasts Site)
• Turbobricks (A Volvo Enthusiasts Site)
• Matthew's Volvo Site (A Volvo Owners Resource)
• Volvo Owners Club The UK Volvo Owners Club Website Site

Volvo Cars, a subsidiary of the Ford Motor Company since 1998, road car timeline, 1960s-present  v • d • e
Type	1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s										2000s
	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Small family car	544																66
																	340
																								360
																											480																					C30
																												440 / 460
																																					S40 / V40								S40 / V50
Compact executive car	Amazon / 120 / 130
								140								240																	850						S70 / V70			S60 / V70
	Duett																									740						940
Executive car									164															760								960							S/V90	S80								S80
																260
Sport		P1800		1800S							1800E		1800ES						242 GT			240 Turbo														850 R			S/V70 R			S60/V70 T5			S60/V70 R
Coupé																			262C									780											C70								C70
Crossover																																												XC90