Volvo 700 Series

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Volvo 700 and 900
Volvo 940 sedan
Manufacturer Volvo Cars
Production 1982–1998
Predecessor Volvo 200 series (which continued)
Successor Volvo 850
Volvo S80
Class Mid-size luxury car
Executive car
Body style 4-door saloon
4-door estate
Similar Audi 100
Cadillac Seville
Saab 900

The Volvo 700 and 900 series are two ranges of mid-size luxury cars / executive cars produced by Swedish automaker Volvo Cars in the 1980s and 1990s. They were specifically styled to appeal to the American buyer and enabled the company to expand its market in the United States. The 700 series was introduced in 1982, followed in 1990 by the 900 series. The 700 was originally to have been a replacement for the 200 series, but production of that model continued.

The most visible differences between the 700 and the 900 series were the more rounded corners on the body of the latter, and a somewhat better-appointed interior. The 960 was substantially revised for the 1995 model year, improving the handling. The range was first augmented and finally supplanted by the 800 series in 1993, with the last of the 900s being sold in 1998. Some 900 series were built as chassis for ambulances and hearses after the main production run had been completed .

Contents

[edit] Volvo 760

Volvo 760
Volvo 760 sedan
Production 1982–1990
Engine 2.8L 144 hp V6
2.4 L 160 hp 4
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in)
Length 4800 mm (188.4 in)
Width 1750 mm (69.3 in)
Height 1410 mm (55.5 in)
Fuel capacity 79 litres (21 U.S. gal)

The 760 was Volvo's attempt to cement a place in the prestige market, after building a reputation for solid and safe (rather than out-and-out luxurious) cars. It was introduced to the US in 1982 for the 1983 model year as the 760 GLE sedan, with station wagon and turbocharged variants added later. The 760 also spawned a less opulent version, the 740, introduced for the 1985 model year. The 760 was discontinued after the 1990 model year, replaced by the Volvo 960, an evolutionary update of the 760 chassis. All 760s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. Production ended on June 27, 1990.

For the 1988 model year, the 760 received numerous updates. From the outside, the most noticeable of the over 2,000 changes were the revised front sheetmetal, including an aluminium hood, recessed windscreen wipers, and new aerodynamic headlights. Inside, all 760s were equipped with a new electronic climate control (ECC), a revised dashboard, three-position tilt steering, and a new stereo system. Underneath, sedans received the same multi-link independent rear suspension that was used on the 780. [1]. Along with the revised dash, the interior saw the addition of a revised dome light and many fabric accent pieces. For its final year of production, 1990, 760 sedans received tail lights in the style of the Volvo 780 (see below), and minor interior changes.

The Volvo 760 was also used as a police car in several countries. East German dictator Erich Honecker also often used this Volvo Model in his governmental car pool.

[edit] Volvo 740

Volvo 740
1991 Volvo 740 TIC
Production 1984–1993
Engine B23E
B19ET
B230A
B230E
B230ET
B230FT
B230K
B230F
B204
B234
B230FB
D24T
D24
D24TIC
Transmission 4-speed automatic
4-speed manual
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in)
Length 4800 mm (1982-1989)
4850 mm (1989-1993)
Width 1750 mm (69.3 in)
Height 1410 mm (55.5 in)
Fuel capacity 60 litres (15.8 US gal)
1990-1992 Volvo 700 Series
1990-1992 Volvo 700 Series

Introduced in the U.S. for the 1985 model year, the 740 was a more simply equipped version of the Volvo 760. The 740 was intended to be a mid-size car that offered more style, performance, and luxury than the venerable 200 series.

In the U.S., the 740 was offered from 1985 to 1992 as a 4-door sedan (known internally as the 744) and a 4-door station wagon (known internally as the 745). Production of the 740 ceased in 1992, though the engine, transmission, chassis, and other details lived on in the Volvo 940 (see below), which was essentially a re-skinned 740. Though out of production for close to 15 years, the majority of these cars are still on the road today, thanks to robust construction and engines known to run for hundreds of thousands of miles.

In 1990 the 740 received a minor facelift with new composite headlamps and 780-style tail lights. In 1991, both the 740 and the newly introduced 940 received an updated dashboard, similar in appearance to the ones found in the 760. The 740 remained mostly unchanged for the 1992 model year, and was phased out in 1993 in favour of the Volvo 940.

Aside from styling, 1990 marked a number of mechanical improvements to the 740 series. The B230 motor received larger 13 mm connecting rods. The 740 Turbo switched from the Garrett T3-series turbocharger to the Mitsubishi TD04 series, offering quicker spool-up and better low-RPM boost, at the expense of top-end performance. The fuel system was upgraded from LH-Jettronic 2.2 to 2.4 (in 1989 for normally aspirated cars, 1990 for Turbo cars). The newer fuel system offered onboard diagnostics, which are easily accessible from under the hood, and require no special equipment. In 1992, the final year for the 740, the mechanical engine cooling fan was ditched in favour of an electric fan. In short, many of the mechanical lackings of the 1985-89 740s were ironed out in the 1990-92 model years. The 1990-92 Volvo 700-series cars may very well represent one of the most reliable 4-door passenger sedans of its era due to a limited number of engineering limitations and solid build quality.

Trim levels were GL, GLE and GLT worldwide; Continental markets had some exceptions to this rule.

[edit] Volvo 780

Volvo 780
1989 Volvo 780 Turbo
Production 1986–1990
Engine 2.8 L 144 hp V6 B280F
2.3 L 175-188 hp 8v I4 Turbo B230FT+
2.0 L 200hp 16v I4 Turbo B204GT
Transmission 4-speed automatic
4-speed manual & electronic
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in)
Length 4800 mm (188.8 in)
Width 1760 mm (69.3 in)
Height 1400 mm (55.1 in)
Fuel capacity 79 litres (21 US gal)

The Volvo 780 coupé made its debut at the International Auto Show in Geneva, Switzerland in 1985. It marked the return of a two-door 2+2 seater coupe to the Volvo stable after a four-year absence following the departure of the 262C in 1981. The 780 became available in Europe in 1986, and would come to the United States a year later.

Like its predecessor, the 780 was designed and built by Carrozzeria Bertone in Turin, Italy. However, unlike the Volvo 262C, the 780 was not merely a two-door 760 with a "chop top" roof. Bertone gave the 780 its own distinctive shape which set it apart from the other models, yet was still identifiable as a Volvo. The car had a sleek, low profile, inheriting some of the styling of the other 700 series cars, but without many of the severe angles and sharp corners. The hood, trunk, and roof lines were all slightly lower than the standard 700 series profile, and the C-pillar was wider and had a more gradual slope down to the trunk. Headroom was improved over the 262C, due to Bertone’s mere 1 cm lowering of the roofline. Window frames all had black matte trim, and were accented with chrome. Chrome also highlighted the door handles, bumpers, and side mouldings.

In the first two years the 780 was available worldwide ('86 and '87) the 780 was available with the B280F V6 engine and a solid (live) rear axle. In the following year, they came equipped with Volvo's independent rear suspension, which used self-leveling Nivomat shocks, to keep ride height correct.

Many people began to take note of the relatively weak powerplant that the 780 had. The B280F at this point had roughly 150HP, but the car itself was nearly 3400 pounds. People wanted something better performing. Enter the B230FT+; a B230FT with Volvo's boost controller, Turbo+, increasing the engine output to 175hp. The following model year saw it increase to 188hp. In the car's finale year, 1991, it was rebadged simply as "Coupé". At this point, the car came only in turbo guise.

Volvo's official production total for the 780 is 8,518 cars built between 1985 and 1990. However, this number has often been disputed as different sources have often estimated the actual total to be higher. As before, a coupé would remain absent from Volvo's model line for several years, until the front-wheel drive C70 was premiered in 1995 for the following model year.

[edit] Volvo 940

Volvo 940
Volvo 940 station wagon
Production 1990–1998
Engine 2.3 L 153 hp I4 (B234F)
2.3 L 162 hp I4 (B230FT)
2.3 L 114 hp I4 (B230F)
2.3 L 135 hp I4 (B230FK) (EU)
Transmission 4-speed automatic
4-speed manual
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in.)
Length 4850 mm (estate)
4900 mm (saloon)
Width 1750 mm
Height 1410 mm (55.0 in.)
Fuel capacity 75 litres (19.8 U.S. gal)

The Volvo 940 is among the last in the long-running line of large rear-wheel drive cars from Volvo. Introduced in 1991, the 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskinning of the 740. All drivetrains, and most options available in the 940 had been available in the 740. The 940 was more closely related to the 740 than the 760, sharing the same dashboard, drivetrain choices, and sheet metal from the A-pillar forward. In contrast, the 960 was an evolution of the 760. The 760 / 960 front sheet metal, independent rear suspension, dashboard, and other interior features were all exclusive to the two upscale models.

In the United States, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine, the 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) included body-coloured trim, and the premium features (leather, power seats/moonroof, etc.) as standard equipment.

In 1992, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114bhp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was dropped and replaced by the similar 960, but the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended in 1998, when the range was rebadged as the Volvo S90 and V90.

[edit] Volvo 960/S90/V90

Volvo 960
Facelifted Volvo 960 wagon
Production 1990–1998
Engine 2.9L 201 hp I6
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in)
Length 4850 mm (estate)
4900 mm (saloon)
Width 1750 mm
Height 1410 mm (55.5 in)
Fuel capacity 79 litres (21 US gal)
Volvo S90/V90
Production 1998
Engine B6304
B6254
Transmission 4-speed automatic
5-speed manual
Wheelbase 2770 mm (109.1 in)
Length 4850 mm (190.9 in) (estate)
4900 mm (192.9 in) (saloon)
Width 1750 mm (68.9 in)
Height 1438 mm (56.6 in)
Fuel capacity 77 litres (20.3 US gal)

Autumn 1990 saw the launch of the Volvo 960, in time for the 1991 model year. This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760. The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminum 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. Some markets, such as Australia, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same V6 engine, the B280, that had powered the 1990 760. The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of a 960 with the DOHC six-cylinder engine.

The 960 received further incremental changes for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. Most visible were the new more shapely seats, and redesigned seat-belts with hydraulic pretensioners for 1992. 1993 saw a new more ergonomic shifter, and 1994 saw the introduction of dual front airbags in some markets.

For 1995, the 960 underwent radical changes. Most obvious was the more aerodynamic front end, and more body coloured panels. Underneath, the front suspension was completely retooled to more closely match that of the 850. Indeed, 1995 to 1998 960s are able to use the same wheels as 1994 and newer front-wheel drive Volvo models. The rear suspension was a completely redesigned multi-link independent design. Instead of conventional coil springs, Volvo used a single transverse fibreglass leaf spring. The 1995 960 station wagon marked the first time ever that Volvo equipped one of its rear-wheel drive station wagons with an independent rear suspension. Included in the suspension redesign, Boge's self-levelling rear suspension system, the Nivomat, became an option, rather than standard equipment.

Production of the 960 ended in 1998, with the 1998 model year vehicles renamed as the Volvo S90/Volvo V90. Some 1997 model year vehicles were branded S90 or V90 as well.

The 1992-94 Volvo 960s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1991, as a 1992 model. The 1995 to 1998 960s were built in Goteborg, Sweden. The first 1995 960 was built on June 27, 1994.

All US cars were equipped with an electronically controlled Aisin AW-series automatic transmission. Beginning in the 1995 model year, European cars with the 2.5 L engines were also available with a manual transmission, the so-called M90, a strong new design that was derived from the Volvo 850's transmission. With the demise of the 2.5 L engine, the M90 was paired with a detuned version of the 3.0 L engine.

[edit] Specifications

[edit] Models

Beginning in 1985, the 740 and 760 models were available in both saloon and estate forms.

North American model availability:

  740 740 GL 740 GLE 740 GLE 16 Valve 740 GLE Turbo Diesel 740 Turbo 740 SE 760 GLE 760 GLE Turbo Diesel 760 Turbo
1983               X X  
1984               X X X
1985     X   X X   X X X
1986     X   X X   X   X
1987     X     X   X   X
1988     X     X   X   X
1989   X   X   X   X   X
1990 X X   X   X   X   X
1991 X         X X      
1991 X         X        
1992 X         (wagon)        

[edit] Engines

These engines were offered on US-spec 700 and 900 series vehicles:

  • B23FT: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged
  • B230F: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, 114 hp ('85-88 740GLE, '89-90 740GL, '90-92 740)
  • B234F: 2.3 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated, 153hp ('89-90 740 GLT)
  • B230FT: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, 160 hp ('85-92 740 Turbo **NOTE: '90-92 models produced 162 hp**)
  • B28F: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, odd fire crankshaft ('82-86)
  • B280F: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, even fire crankshaft ('87-90)
  • D24T: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodiesel, 107hp, manufactured by Volkswagen.
  • D24TIC: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodiesel, intercooled, 124 hp, manufactured by Volkswagen.
  • B6304: 3.0 L straight-6, naturally aspirated

Other engines offered in other markets include:

  • B19E (offered for the '84 model year only)
  • B23E: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection ('84)
  • B23ET: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, utilizing Bosch Motronic engine management ('84)
  • B28A: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, carburated ('82-85)
  • B28E: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic, high output ('82-86)
  • B200F: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch [K-Jetronic] 111 hp
  • B200K: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Renix ignition, Heron head (introduced for the '85 model year)
  • B200ET: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic engine management (introduced for the '85 model year)
  • B204E: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated (introduced for the '89 model year)
  • B204FT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged (introduced for the '89 model year)
  • B204GT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged (introduced for the '89 model year)
  • B230A: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, carburated (1985-86)
  • B230E: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (introduced in the '85 model year)
  • B230ET: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic (introduced in the '85 model year)
  • B230FK: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Low Pressure Turbo ('95-)
  • B280E: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated (introduced in the '87 model year)
  • B230FB: 2.3 L inline-4. naturally aspirated. available in 940
  • B6244: 2.4 L straight-6, naturally aspirated
  • B6254: 2.5 L straight-6, naturally aspirated

[edit] Transmissions

Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year/model/engine combinations including the:

[edit] Suspension/Axle

There were also different suspension combinations depending on the model chosen:

  • 1030: Standard rear axle
  • 1031: Heavy-duty version of the 1030
  • 1041: Rear axle with Eaton locking mechanism

[edit] SE models

Later in 1991, Volvo offered a sedan and wagon badged the 740 SE. The 740 SEs, along with the 740 Turbo sedan, were subsequently discontinued for 1992.

[edit] External links

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
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