Volvo 480

Volvo 480
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1986–1995
Assembly	Born, Netherlands (NedCar)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact
Body style	Hatchback
Layout	FF layout
Related	Volvo 440/460
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo P1800
Successor	Volvo C30

A 1988 1.7-litre 480ES with headlamps lowered

The Volvo 480 is an automobile made by Volvo Cars. It was the first front-wheel drive car made by the automaker. It features an unusual 4-seat, 3-door hatchback body, somewhere between liftback and estate in form, though it was marketed as a coupé.

Development

Press launch was on October 15, 1985, but the 480 was first put on show at Geneva in 1986, becoming available to the public in 1987. It was produced in Born, Netherlands, at the factory that built DAF cars, including the DAF 66-based Volvo 66, and later, the Volvo 300 Series. The 480 shared the platform of the Volvo 440 and 460 models. It was originally planned for the North American market (as can be evidenced by its US-spec front and rear side markers, not used on European automobiles), but it was ultimately never sold in the U.S due to unfavourable currency exchange rates. The 480 was the first Volvo of its style since the P1800ES, and the last until the unveiling of the C30.^[1] All of these models featured a frameless glass hatchback, and was the only production Volvo to feature pop-up headlamps.

The concept was to design a sporty, luxury front-wheel drive car with advanced electronics. However, the necessary technology was still crude, and the 480 suffered electrical problems and the central electronics module needed to be replaced. Early cars also had water leaks. It is common to find 480s with a water filled spare wheel well. This is largely due to poor sealing of the glass hatch and deterioration of the rear light cluster seals. The rear lights themselves often discolour and are notoriously brittle.

The had good handling, due in part to its Lotus-designed suspension, and a series of reliableRenault engines, tuned by Porsche.

Annual changes

In 1988, a Turbo version was introduced, the Garrett AiResearch turbocharger increasing the power from 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) to 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp). Maximum torque was 175 N·m (129 lb·ft) compared to the 140 N·m (103 lb·ft) for the naturally aspirated 1.7 L engine. In 1993 (UK), due to new legislation which meant that catalytic converters had to be fitted to unleaded petrol engines, power dropped and so the 2.0 L engine was developed; it was rated at 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) and 165 N·m (122 lb·ft). Standard 4-speed automatic transmission was also offered.

In 1992, the 480 received new mirrors, headrests for the back seats, as well as subtle modifications to the trim and body-colour bumpers. The 2.0 naturally aspirated engine was also introduced. Changes between the CEM (Central Electronic Module) are externally apparent with the introduction of a total closure system whereby the key can be held in the lock position to close the windows and (where fitted) sunroof. Earlier CEM modules feature a "passing" function for the wipers, whereby fully depressing the accelerator pedal will switch intermittent wipers to full.

Rear end of 480 with its hatchback

Early 1992 saw the release of special editions; 1994 saw the UK release of the "Celebration" limited edition of 480 specially equipped and numbered cars. In 1994 the 480 was updated further with clear front turn signals. Production ended on 7 September 1995 with about 80,463 units produced. Writing about the demise of the 480 in Car Magazine, journalist Richard Bremner wrote about the car's decent power and low weight combination. "This meant there was some danger of a sporty steer — pretty radical from a company that considered having fun at the wheel as acceptable as seducing a nun," he commented. "Good grief, a Volvo worth preserving. And there aren't many of them."

Prototypes

The 480 factory also made several prototypes, including a 480 with an electric drivetrain, a supercharged version (G-Lader), a version with a 16-valve engine and a version with a turbocharged 2.0 L engine. A convertible was also announced to the press in summer 1987, but not seen in public until the 1990 Geneva Motor Show. It was planned to be launched at the beginning of 1991, but it did not make production after a supplier declared bankruptcy and concerns over roll-over safety protection.

See also

• Volvo 440/460, related five-door hatchback and four-door sedan models

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo 480.

• Volvo 480-Register (also in English)
• Volvo 480 Club Europe