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Volvo 850

Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1992–1997 product 1,360,522
Assembly	Torslanda, Sweden Halifax Regional Municipality (VHA) Ghent, Belgium
Predecessor	Volvo 200 series , Volvo 700 series and Volvo 900 series
Successor	Volvo V70 and Volvo S70
Class	Compact executive car
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Engine	2.4 L 168 hp (125 kW) I5 2.3 L 222 hp (166 kW) I5
Transmission	4-speed automatic 5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,664 mm (104.9 in)
Length	Sedan: 4,661 mm (183.5 in) Wagon: 4,709 mm (185.4 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	1,415 mm (55.7 in) 1996-97 Wagon: 1,445 mm (56.9 in)
Designer	Jan Wilsgaard

Volvo 850 wagon

The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car produced by Volvo Cars from 1992 to 1997 and designed by Jan Wilsgaard. Available in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate body styles, the Volvo 850 was 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 available in this model that were not offered in previous models. At the time of its development, the 850 was regarded as one of the largest engineering endeavours in Sweden.

Overview

The Volvo 850 was introduced worldwide as a 1992 model, but arrived in the United States in the 1993 model year. It was sold as a saloon (sedan) with an estate (wagon) model on sale from 1992 in Europe. The 850 was the first Volvo model in North America to feature front-wheel drive and an all-aluminium alloy 20-valve straight-five 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 economy.

All U.S. 850s received standard equipment such as dual front airbags, anti-lock braking system, 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 sunroof, power seats, heated seats, remote keyless entry, automatic climate control, and automatic transmission.

Volvo 850 SE 2.5 sedan (Australia)

The 850 saloon features an interior space of 2.80 cubic metres (99 cu ft). This is slightly more than the 2.78 cubic metres (98 cu ft) of the 2004 Mercedes-Benz E-Class, even though the car is reasonably compact on the outside. This space is achieved by mounting the in-line 5-cylinder engine transversely (from the left to the right of the car) under the hood.

The 850 T5 is capable of top speeds in excess of 250 kilometres per hour (155 mph) when ungoverned. Production models of the estate and saloon have been tested to maximum speeds of 147mph.

In 1995, a limited-edition version, labeled T-5R, was sold worldwide.

From 1996-1998, a high-end model, the R, was produced. It was based on the aforementioned T-5R.

In 1996 a "Platinum" edition of the 850 Turbo was available. The exterior paint for these models came in a metallic pearl platinum-color and had special 16 inch alloy wheels. The interior was fitted with leather seats and burled walnut accents. Only 1,500 of these were imported for the U.S. market.^[1]

For the last model year (1996/1997), the 850 AWD (All Wheel Drive) model was introduced with a new 193 bhp (144 kW; 196 PS) low pressure turbo 2.4 litre engine (B5254T).

In 1998, the model line was updated, and renamed the Volvo S70 (saloon) and Volvo V70 (estate). These vehicles were sold in the U.S. through the 2000 model year when there were still many 850's waiting to be sold. This allowed for an alternatively designed vehicle; the 2001 Volvo S60 and Volvo V70, during the 850's production hiatus.

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, giving the Volvo 850 passive rear steering. The automobile also has a tight turning circle, 10.2 m (33.5 ft), and is considered very maneuverable. By comparison, later large Volvos had a 11.9 m (39.0 ft) turning circle.

T-5R

Volvo 850 T-5R at the Volvo Museum

In 1995, a high performance model developed in part with Porsche named the T-5R was released. The vehicle is based upon the 850 Turbo with the B5234T5 engine with a special ECU known as the Bosch #628 ECU, that adds 1.3 psi (0.1 bar)*** to turbocharger boost pressure, giving the engine an additional 18 horsepower (13 kW). The T-5R is capable of accelerating to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 6.6 seconds and completing a quarter-mile in 14.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h). Despite the boxy, understated appearance, the stock T-5R has a drag coefficient of 0.29. The vehicle came standard with Pirelli P-Zero tyres. The tyres provided a grip of 0.88 g. The engine was co-developed with Porsche, as was the transmission and remaining powertrain components. Porsche also aided in designing some of the interior as well (i.e. Alcantara suede inserts). Only two options were available - the trunk-mounted Alpine 6-CD changer and the no-cost 16" wheels for a smoother, more comfortable ride and driveability in snow because of the all-weather tyres. The engine produces 240 hp (179 kW) and 221 lb·ft (300 N·m) of torque. The tranmission is a 4-speed automatic. (Volvo's 5-speed automatic transmission debuted 2 years later.) A 5-speed manual transmission was also offered in certain markets, such as Canada and Sweden.

The T-5R sold out in short time, leading Volvo to repeat the T-5R the following year as the 850 R.

The Volvo 850 T-5R was also noted for its safety features. It was the first automobile to have four airbags standard.^{[citation needed]} The side airbags were installed in the seat cushions. German automakers would soon follow with their own side airbags as well, however, they were installed in the doors. The side airbags followed into all Volvos the following year as an option and became standard on the full-line a year after that, before other manufacturers began offering them as an option, in particular American and Japanese automakers. The same occurred with Volvo's introduction of daytime-running headlamps. The automobile also came with the first integrated child booster seat in the rear cabin.^{[citation needed]} It was also the first sedan to have three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions. Volvo would later debut the side curtain airbag a couple of years later in the S80 and make those standard on the full line of autos before other manufacturers as well, though Lexus followed only months later.

Also included in the 1995 T-5R package is a front bumper with a lip, rear spoiler, side skirts, polished aluminum door sills, special graphite leather like that of the Porsche 911 and Alcantara (the fire-retardant version of Toray Industries' Ultrasuede (tm)) seats in dark grey like that of the Porsche 911 Turbo and a black interior with deep walnut wood grain accents. Both yellow and black versions came with the same black interior as the only choice. The T-5R has an additional badge to the left of the "850" on the trunk, referred to as "The Motorsport badge". The standard wheels are the titanium-gray 5-spoke 17×7 "Titan". 1995 was the only year that the a model was badged as a "T-5R".

5500 T-5Rs were produced worldwide, of which 904 went to the US: The 1995 850 T-5R was limited in exterior paint color choices:

• cream yellow - 1975 worldwide including sedan and station wagon
• black - 3025 worldwide including sedan and station wagon
• olive green - 0500 worldwide including sedan and station wagon

• • • See Volvo press release: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/owners/docs/1995/1995_releases/1995_release_6.html

R models

Volvo 850 R Wagon

The 1996 and 1997 Volvo 850R also came as a Sport Wagon. In 5-door form, the turbocharged wagon can accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.6 seconds and reach up to 155 mph (249 km/h).^{[citation needed]}

The 1996 and 1997 (the final year of the 850) R models were not as limited in production as the T-5R was. Some sources^[who?] stated about 9,000 R were produced. Flame red, black, anthracite grey, olive green metallic, turquoise and white were the only color choices. In the US market only Red, White and Black were available. Also, a new rear spoiler was introduced on sedans. The interior was now two-tone and designed to be more luxurious and appealing to Volvo's typical market,^{[clarification needed]} but the layout changed — in 1995 the leather was in the center of the seats — later models had it on the outside bolster portion with the suede in the middle. The standard wheels used in these model years were the 17×7 "Volans". For 1996, Volvo introduced a new manual transmission outside the US market, called the M59, that came standard with a Torsen differential. Furthermore, the M59 cars were equipped with a slightly larger turbocharger, the TD04H-16T, and upgraded software enabling these cars to produce 250 hp (190 kW) versus 240 hp (180 kW) for the automatic transmission equipped cars. Torque was also significantly increased in the manual models from 300 N·m (220 lb·ft) to 350 N·m (260 lb·ft)..^{[citation needed]}

Due to encumbrances placed on engine volume by the Italian government, R's sold in Italy were based on the 2.0 litre 850 Turbo. The transmission was the standard AW/50-42 used in all U.S. 850's, the M56H being available in other countries.

Trim levels in United States

A European-spec 1993 Volvo 850 wagon. For the 1994 model year the bumpers were revised and the headlamps were modified to have separate low (dipped) and high beam bulbs. This particular example is also missing the grille insert.

1993

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

The 1994 850 includes revised headlights, front valances, and front and rear bumpers. The GLT badge is dropped, although all the same equipment is available. The 222 hp (166 kW) Turbo sedan and wagon, as well as the normally aspirated 168 hp (125 kW) wagon, are new models this year.

1995

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo: 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 T-5R: 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 for all variants, new interior switch-gear design and several other detail changes. Australian delivered 850 SEs were provided with the B5252 10 valve motor, which was labelled DOHC on the cam cover.

1996

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4700 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo: 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R: 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 T-5R high performance version became the R in 1996, but the performance differences remained relatively the same. The United Kingdom received 2.5 10v and 2.5 20v versions, which were unavailable in the U.S. and Canada, but made their way to Russia and Switzerland.

1997 Volvo 850 in Sweden

1997

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 ft·lbf (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 190 hp (142 kW) @ 5100 rpm and 199 ft·lbf (270 N·m) at 1600 rpm
• 850 T-5: 2.3 L I5, 222 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R: 2.3 L I5, 240 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 ft·lbf (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 AWD (Canada/Europe only) 2.4L I5 T 190 hp (142 kW) @ 5100 rpm; 3,700 lb (1,700 kg) approx.

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, as it always had been in the UK. 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 shortly before Ford Motor Co. took over Volvo in 1998. Also in 1997 Volvo released the 850 AWD to the European/Canadian market with the same motor as the 1997 GLT 2.4 L I5 LPT (13G) it was only available with a 5 speed m58 transmission. It is believed that 214 850 AWD's were imported to Canada for 1997. It had an m56 with an added bevel gear (transfer case) created the m58 transmission. In 1998 AWD versions were only available in automatic except in Europe and Canada although it is believed that 7 V70 AWD Manuals were imported to Canada.

Quick information

• *B5254S: 1992-1995 have Bosch LH 3.2. In 1996 both Bosch LH 3.2 and Bosch Motronic 4.4 was fitted. As of 1997 only Bosch Motronic 4.4 was fitted.
• **Please see Volvo Owners Manual: http://new.volvocars.com/ownersdocs/1996/1996_850/96850_901.htm#pg9.3
• **Also the press release for the 1995 T-5R: https://www.customers.volvocars.com/owners/docs/1995/1995_releases/1995_release_6.html

Motorsport

Volvo joined forces with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) in 1994 to build an 850 Estate Super Touring Car to compete in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). Despite much criticism, the 850 Estate performed well, with a best qualifying placing of third and a best race finish of fifth. The 850 Estates were driven by Rickard Rydell and Jan Lammers and Volvo finished eighth in the Manufacturers' standings of the 1994 championship. For 1995, TWR built a Saloon version, with the switch from Estate to Saloon being made mainly due to changes in BTCC regulations regarding aerodynamic aids which effectively ended any chance of the Estate being competitive. With Rickard Rydell and Tim Harvey driving, the 850 Saloons qualified on pole position 12 times and won six races, with Volvo placing third in the Manufacturers Championship. In 1996, an improved 850 Saloon competed in the championship with Rickard Rydell and Kelvin Burt driving, achieving five race wins. Volvo again finishing third in the Manufacturers’ Championship. Volvo also competed in the Super Touring category with the 850 across Europe and in Australia in this era.

Australian race driver Peter Brock drove an 850 T-5 with Tony Scott in the 1994 James Hardie 12 Hour production car race at Bathurst, finishing 25th. He also drove an 850 saloon in the 1996 Australian Super Touring Championship, placing sixth in the Drivers’ Championship.

References

1. ^ "1993-1997 Volvo 850 - Consumer Guide Automotive". Consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com. 2006-10-04. http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1993-to-1997-volvo-850.htm. Retrieved 2010-12-06. 

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

External links

• Volvotips, history about the Volvo Galaxy project and 850 prototypes.
• The Brickboard, an owners resource and technical forum
• Volvospeed, an owners performance resource and technical forum
• Matthew's Volvo Site, an owners resource and technical forum
• Volvo Performance Club, an enthusiasts site for Performance Volvo Owners.
• T5D5.ORG - High Performance Volvo Club Forums, primarily UK based