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==Volvo 960==
 
==Volvo 960==
 
   
 
The 960 is Volvo's top-of-the-line model. You can compare it to the Mercedes-Benz E300, Lexus GS 300 and ES 300, BMW 325/530, and Saab 9000.
 
The 960 is Volvo's top-of-the-line model. You can compare it to the Mercedes-Benz E300, Lexus GS 300 and ES 300, BMW 325/530, and Saab 9000.
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The 2.9-liter aluminum 4-valve inline Six has actually lost 20 horsepower compared with 1994, but makes its peak power and torque (up by 2 ft.-lb.) at substantially lower speeds. The only transmission is an Aisan-Warner 4-speed, electronically controlled 3-mode automatic with lockup torque converter.
 
The 2.9-liter aluminum 4-valve inline Six has actually lost 20 horsepower compared with 1994, but makes its peak power and torque (up by 2 ft.-lb.) at substantially lower speeds. The only transmission is an Aisan-Warner 4-speed, electronically controlled 3-mode automatic with lockup torque converter.
 
All front and rear body sheetmetal is new for 1995. As a result, the sedan's aerodynamic drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.34 to 0.32. Burled walnut trim, most un-Volvolike, is new as are, surprise!, cup holders. Side-impact protection, already in advance of federal requirements, has been improved. All seat positions have 3-point harnesses. Dual airbags, climate control and leather upholstery are all standard.
 
All front and rear body sheetmetal is new for 1995. As a result, the sedan's aerodynamic drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.34 to 0.32. Burled walnut trim, most un-Volvolike, is new as are, surprise!, cup holders. Side-impact protection, already in advance of federal requirements, has been improved. All seat positions have 3-point harnesses. Dual airbags, climate control and leather upholstery are all standard.
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<gallery>
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volvo960sedan.jpg|1995-1996 Volvo 960 4-door sedan
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volvo960sedan2.jpg
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volvo960wagon.jpg|1995-1996 Volvo 960 4-door wagon
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volvo960_steeringwheel.jpg|The steering wheel of a 1995-1996 Volvo 960
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volvo960_interior.jpg|Interior of a 1995-1996 Volvo 960
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</gallery>
   
 
==Volvo 850==
 
==Volvo 850==

Revision as of 17:30, 29 April 2014

Volvo 240

Volvo 740

Volvo 940

Since the elimination of the 240 for the 1994 model year, the 940 has been Volvo's entry-level car, with prices now starting close to $24,000. Basically the same as the old rear-drive 700-series cars, the 940 is available with the 2.3-liter iron-block 2-valve- per-cylinder Four, both normally aspirated and turbocharged, in both a sedan and wagon version. The 940 is priced against the upper end of the Toyota Camry 2.5-liter V6 range, the midpoint of Chrysler's LH cars with the 3.5-liter V6, the Nissan Maxima 3.0-liter V6, the VW Passat GLX with its unusual narrow-angle 2.8-liter V6 and some models of Saab's new 900, just to mix a bag. Tough competition, every one of the preceding models is newer and many have more standard equipment than the basic Volvo. Still, Volvo has a reputation for safety and durability that is near gospel for the Volvo faithful. The boxy looks guarantee a spacious interior and trunk. Upright styling means excellent visibility and low solar heat gain, but also higher wind noise than the competition. The 940 has the traditional Volvo tight turning circle, predictable handling and excellent seats.  It's possible that Volvo will eventually make some of the same changes to the 940 that have been made to the 960, revised front suspension, stiffer body/chassis structure, and a 4-cylinder version of the aluminum 5- and 6-cylinder engines used in the 850 and 960 models. Although no one at Volvo will comment, it's more likely the 940 will go the way of the 240 and be replaced by the new product of a Volvo-Mitsubishi collaboration.

Volvo 960

The 960 is Volvo's top-of-the-line model. You can compare it to the Mercedes-Benz E300, Lexus GS 300 and ES 300, BMW 325/530, and Saab 9000. Although it may not be readily apparent to any but the Volvo acolyte, the 1995 960 model is really quite a different car from its predecessors. Basic dimensions are the same, both inside and out, but the body/chassis structure has been considerably reengineered. Front suspension is now similar to the front-drive 850 model's, a tubular crossmember stiffens the chassis and transverse A-arms put side loads directly into it. In the rear, the excellent Volvo multilink suspension now is carried on a huge aluminum crossmember. The former coil springs have been replaced by a reflex-curved glass fiber transverse leaf. For the first time, the multilink rear setup is used on the wagon as well.  The 2.9-liter aluminum 4-valve inline Six has actually lost 20 horsepower compared with 1994, but makes its peak power and torque (up by 2 ft.-lb.) at substantially lower speeds. The only transmission is an Aisan-Warner 4-speed, electronically controlled 3-mode automatic with lockup torque converter. All front and rear body sheetmetal is new for 1995. As a result, the sedan's aerodynamic drag coefficient has been reduced from 0.34 to 0.32. Burled walnut trim, most un-Volvolike, is new as are, surprise!, cup holders. Side-impact protection, already in advance of federal requirements, has been improved. All seat positions have 3-point harnesses. Dual airbags, climate control and leather upholstery are all standard.

Volvo 850

1995

For 1995, Volvo's front-drive 850 is available as either a 4-door sedan or station wagon. It combines a compact, 4-valves-per-cylinder, aluminum 5-cylinder engine (designed in collaboration with Porsche) and optional turbocharger with an equally compact 4-speed, electronically controlled 3- mode automatic transmission. The automatic is standard on Turbo models and optional on others, where a 5-speed manual is standard.

The 850 is Volvo's midpriced car, and competes with such sports/ luxury imports as the Acura Legend, Audi A6, BMW 3-series, Saab 900 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class. 

The Turbo is the most powerful engine ever offered in a Volvo passenger car, 222 hp. It gives the Sportswagon an un-Volvolike top speed of over 150 mph. Turbo models are now fitted with SIPS, Volvo's acronym for Side Impact Protection System, a clever seat-mounted airbag system that, combined with Volvo's outstanding structural side-impact protection, puts them far ahead of U.S. standards. 

For 1995, the normally aspirated GLT models get the smoother front sheetmetal first introduced on Turbo models.

Volvo brings daytime driving lights, required in Sweden and Canada, to the United States on all models. Low wattage is supplied to the headlights whenever the ignition is on. An optional, dealer-installed third seat for children is available on wagons. 

Volvo pioneered roadside assistance with its On Call 24-hour roadside service. The 850 has standard airbags, ABS, CFC-free air conditioning and asbestos-free brake pads.

1996

Now that the 940 has been pastured, the 850 has become the entry-level Volvo. Arguably the most heralded introduction in Volvo history, the 850 has come up, spun around and continued outward in several different directions in just three years of production. The amazing T5-R, introduced only last March, was a specially equipped version of the already hot 850 Turbo fitted with startling 17-in. wheels, lowered sport suspension, traction control, 240 hp and exclusive trim and paint. A mere 1000 units later (U.S. allocation), the T5-R is a fleeting memory.

In its place for 1996, a less sanguinary offering called the Platinum Limited Edition. It retains most of the T5-R's content (sport suspension, traction control, special 16-in. tires and wheels, Cold Weather package, keyless entry, sunroof and an upscale AM/FM/cassette/CD stereo and leather upholstery), but not the engine enhancement or the big graphite-colored wheels. Those who wish to upgrade the 850 Turbo should investigate the T5-R parts schedule while it lasts. Other than the platinum, champagne and metallic red paints that are new for 1996, the lineup is unchanged. The sedan and wagon are available in base, GLT and Turbo trim. Aside from Volvo's normal array of safety equipment, all 850 Turbos are fitted with seat-mounted, side-impact airbags designed to minimize body trauma on the rebound (or reaction) side of impact. These SIPS (side-impact protection system) bags are available on nonturbo cars as a $500 option. 

The 850 excels in wintry weather. With a cleated tire at each corner, a transmission programmed to start off in third gear and Tracs traction control, the 850 pulls straight ahead in the snow with more confidence than some SUVs. The front-drive 850 competes with the Acura TL, Audi A6, Ford Taurus and Saab 900, as well as the rear-drive BMW 3-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.