Volvo 850

Volvo 850
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1991–1997 (716,903 units)[1]
Model years	1992-1997
Assembly	Torslanda, Sweden Ghent, Belgium Halifax, Canada (VHA)
Designer	Jan Wilsgaard (1989)
Body and chassis
Class	Compact executive car
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door estate
Layout	Front engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
Platform	Volvo P80
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L B5202 I5 2.0 L B5204T turbo I5 2.3 L B5234T turbo I5 2.4 L B5252/B5244 I5 2.4 L B5244T turbo I5 2.5 L D5252T diesel I5
Transmission	5-speed manual 4-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,664 mm (104.9 in)
Length	4,661 mm (183.5 in) (sedan) 4,709 mm (185.4 in) (wagon)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	1,415 mm (55.7 in) 1,445 mm (56.9 in) (wagon, 1996-97)
Curb weight	1,348–1,455 kg (2,972–3,208 lb) (FWD
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo 200 Series
Successor	Volvo S70/V70

Volvo 850 wagon

The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1991 to 1997 and designed by Jan Wilsgaard. Available in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate body styles, the 850 was the first front-wheel drive vehicle from Volvo to be exported to North America. It also was the first all-wheel drive Volvo sold on the US market.

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 Volvo 850 was launched with the slogan "A dynamic car with four world-beating breakthroughs". The four breakthroughs were: the transverse 5-cylinder engine driving the front wheels, a Delta-link rear axle, which combined the dynamics and ride comfort of independent suspension with the reliability of a live rear axle, the SIPS integrated side-impact protection system, and the self-adjusting front seat belt mechanism.^[2]

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 147 mph.

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-colour 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.^[3]

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 1997, 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 there were still many 850s 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.

Models

850

A wide variety of 850 models was sold. These included a CNG-powered Bi-Fuel model and a diesel engined 850 badged as 850 TDI.

850 T-5R

Volvo 850 T-5R at the Volvo Museum

In 1995, a high performance model, developed in part with Porsche, was released and designated the T-5R. The vehicle was based on the 850 Turbo, utilizing the B5234T3 engine with a special ECU (Bosch #628) that added an additional 2 psi (0.1 bar) of turbocharger boost pressure,^[4] giving the engine an extra 18 hp (13 kW; 18 PS) for a total of 243 hp (181 kW) and 250 lb·ft (340 N·m) of torque. The engine was mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission or 5-speed manual transmission, the latter of which was not available in the US. The T-5R was renowned as a sleeper car; despite its boxy, understated appearance, it boasted a drag coefficient of 0.29 and was capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in 5.8 - 6.0 seconds (depending on transmission and body type). The top speed was electronically limited to 155 mph (249 km/h). The vehicle came standard with Pirelli P-Zero tires, providing lateral grip of 0.88 g. The engine tuning was co-developed with Porsche, as was the transmission and other powertrain components. Porsche also aided in designing some of the interior, such as the Alcantara seat inserts. These cars came as standard with nearly every feature available, only a handful of options - such as heated rear seats - were available. On the North American market only two options could be chosen, a trunk-mounted Alpine 6-CD changer and no-cost 16" wheels for a smoother, more comfortable ride and driveability in snow when using all-season tires.

Also included in the 1995 T-5R package was a front bumper with a lip, rear spoiler, side skirts, polished aluminum door sills, special graphite leather and Alcantara seats, 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 road wheel was the titanium-gray 5-spoke 17×7 "Titan". 1995 was the only year that the a model was badged as a "T-5R"; the following year, as Volvo recognized the vehicle's popularity, the model was renewed with the designation "850R".

The Volvo 850 T-5R was also noted for its safety features. It was the first automobile to be fitted standard with four airbags. The side airbags were installed in the seat cushions. The side airbags were integrated into the rest of the Volvo model line the following year as an option, and became standard a year after that; other manufacturers soon followed suit. The car was also fitted with an early example of daytime running lamps. It was also the first sedan to have three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions (previously, cars had only a lap belt for the center rear seat). The T-5R also used the OBDII diagnostics system, a year before OBDII was made an automotive standard.

5500 T-5Rs were produced worldwide, of which 904 went to the United States, 185 were yellow. The 1995 850 T-5R was limited in exterior paint color choices:

• Cream yellow - 1975 worldwide including saloon and station wagon
• Black - 3025 worldwide including saloon and station wagon
• Emerald green metallic - 0500 worldwide including saloon and station wagon

850 R

Volvo 850 R in Torslanda, Sweden.

In 1996 Volvo introduced a new high performance Volvo 850 as a replacement for the hugely successful limited edition T-5R. Volvo decided there should be no direct successor to the T-5R, but due to its huge hand in improving Volvo's image and the big sales success Volvo decided to develop a new high performance model. The new car should be based on the T-5R but with some improvements. The new car was called the Volvo 850 R which again came as either a sedan or Sport Wagon. In 5-door form, the turbocharged station wagon can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.5/7.4 (manual/auto) seconds and reach up to 158 mph (254 km/h).

Production of the 850 R ran between 1996-1997 (the final year of the 850) and unlike the T-5R was not limited. Various Volvo sources estimate between 5000-7000 of all 850 R variants were produced and sold worldwide.

The only colours available were Bright Red, Black Stone, Dark Grey Pearl, Dark Olive Pearl, Turquoise Pearl and Polar White. In the US market only Bright Red, Polar White and Black Stone were available. Cream yellow was discontinued for the 850 R. The saloon featured a newly designed rear spoiler. Spoiler was now standard on the estate. The interior upgrades included bucket style heavily bolstered 'sport' front seats (alcantara centre with leather bolsters), alcantara door cards, 2-tone leather steering wheel, stainless steel '850' kick plates and R branded over mats. A 200w amplifier was also added to the 8-speaker audio system as was the option to have an SC-805/815 in-dash CD player (some markets).

For a limited time in 1996 only, Volvo offered a new heavy duty manual transmission designed specifically for the 850 R (excluding US market), called the M59, which featured both a viscous coupling and a Torsen limited-slip differential. Furthermore, the M59 equipped cars were fitted with the B5234T4 2.3-litre 5-cylinder engine featuring a larger TD04HL-16T turbo, re-designed turbo manifold & intercooler, unique ecu with motronic 4.4, uprated fuel pressure sensor and a heavy duty clutch. These modifications enabled the manual(M59)cars to produce 250 hp (190 kW) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) versus 240 hp (180 kW) and 330 N·m (240 lb·ft) for the automatic transmission.

Due to encumbrances placed on engine volume by the Italian government, 850 Rs 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. 850s, the M56H being available in other countries.

850 AWD

In 1996 Volvo launched the 850 AWD as a model year 1997 car. It featured standard all-wheel drive. Only available on the Canadian and European market, all cars were equipped with the new 2.5L turbo engine developing 193bhp. The only available transmission was a 5-speed manual.

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 missing the grille insert and has aftermarket wheels.

1993

• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (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 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo: 2.3 L I5, 225 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 lb·ft (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. Wheels were upgraded from a 4 bolt pattern to a 5 bolt on 108mm pattern that is still used today.

1995

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo: 2.3 L I5, 225 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 lb·ft (300 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 T-5R: 2.3 L I5, 245 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 lb·ft (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

1996–1997 Volvo 850 AWD station wagon (Australia)

1996–1997 Volvo 850 AWD station wagon (Australia)

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4700 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4500 rpm
• 850 Turbo: 2.3 L I5, 225 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 lb·ft (340 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R: 2.3 L I5, 250 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 lb·ft (350 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 l in the U.S. and Canada, but made their way to Russia and Switzerland. In manual form the 850 R power output increased to 250 bhp and torque to 350 NM.

1997

• 850: 2.4 L I5, 168 hp (125 kW) @ 6300 rpm and 162 lb·ft (220 N·m) @ 4700 rpm
• 850 GLT: 2.4 L I5, 190 hp (142 kW) @ 5100 rpm and 199 lb·ft (270 N·m) at 1600 rpm
• 850 T-5: 2.3 L I5, 225 hp (166 kW) @ 5200 rpm and 221 lb·ft (340 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 R: 2.3 L I5, 250 hp (179 kW) @ 5600 rpm and 221 lb·ft (350 N·m) @ 2100 rpm
• 850 AWD (Canada/Europe only) 2.4L I5 T 193 hp (144 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 1999.
Volvo 850 AWD In 1997 Volvo released the 850 AWD to the Canadian market. It had been available in Europe in 1996, perhaps earlier. It has the same motor as the 1997 GLT 2.4 L I5 LPT (13G). It was only available with a 5 speed M58 transmission in Canada. It is believed that 214 850 AWDs were imported to Canada for 1997. It had an M56 with an added bevel gear (transfer case) which created the M58 transmission. In 1998 AWD versions were only available in automatic except in Europe and Canada although it is believed that only 7 V70 AWD Manuals were imported to Canada. The United States never had any sold there.

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.

Tuning

Volvo 850R AWD, 1997 model year, color Dark olive pearl (green) in Saint-Petersburg, Russia. On this car, was custom-installed all-wheel drive system from Volvo V70R AWD (1998) with manual M58 gearbox.

850s models often also experience tuning measures, since they are inexpensive because of their age. The only problem is that there are not many companies that offer the appropriate components. Wheels and suspension parts are easy to get, otherwise it looks at spoilers, bumpers, side skirts and rear aprons from. Usually, the only source for these components is DIY, or stock components from sportier models. Cars of 850/S/V/C/XC/70-Series are universal, and each uses interchangeable parts. Therefore, besides the increase in engine power, there are also more interesting tuning projects. For example, all-wheel-drive conversion. Similar projects exist in different countries of the world:

• - 855 T5-R Yellow wagon in Norway;
• - 854 R Black sedan in England;
• - 854 R Green sedan in Russia;
• - 854 R Turquoise sedan is being built in Netherlands.

See also

• Volvo S70, succeeding sedan model, largely a facelift version
• Volvo V70, succeeding estate model, largely a facelift version
• Volvo 440/460, compact models bearing a similar design (post-facelift)

References

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

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Volvo 850.

• 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
• Volvo 850 Racing - Volvo 850 Race cars photo gallery