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The Volvo 850 automobile 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 99 cubic feet (2.80 m³). This is slightly more than the 98 cubic feet (2.78 m³) 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 held a U.S. patent for its use of rear axle bushings that compress under load so as to create passive rear steering. It also had a much tighter turning circle, 33.5 ft (10.2 m), than the current large Volvos, 39 ft (11.9 m), and was therefore very maneuverable.

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. At the time of its development, it was regarded as one of the largest engineering endeavors in Sweden.

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) at 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) at 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) at 4500 rpm
  • 850 Turbo ($29,985 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) at 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) at 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, include 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 168hp wagon, are new models this year.

1995:

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

1996:

  • 850 ($26,125 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) at 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) at 4700 rpm
  • 850 GLT ($29,200 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) at 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) at 4500 rpm
  • 850 Turbo ($32,650 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) at 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) at 2100 rpm
  • 850 R ($37,925 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) at 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) at 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) at 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) at 4500 rpm
  • 850 GLT ($31,835 MSRP): 2.4 L I5, 190 hp (142 kW) at 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) at 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) at 2100 rpm
  • 850 R ($38,685 MSRP): 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) at 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) at 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 2.4L 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.

850 in motor-sport

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 won two races with Rickard Rydell and Jan Lammers and finished sixth in the 1994 season. In 1995, TWR and Volvo built the 850R Saloon BTCC Racer and this won five races with Rickard Rydell and Tim Harvey and finished third in the championship. In 1996, an improved 850R saloon raced which boasted eight wins with Rickard Rydell and Kelvin Burt and finished third in the championship.

In Popular Culture

  • Toronto rapper Choclair rapped "You see, I flow like an 850, the turbo" on 1999's Let's Ride.

External links

Volvo vehicles | Station wagons

Volvo 850 | Volvo 850 | Volvo 850 | Volvo 850

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Volvo 850".

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