Volvo 440/460 Little Known Facts

The Volvo 440 and 460 were introduced in 1990 as replacement for the Volvo 300 series.
They shared a platform with the Peugeot 405 and the Renault 25.
The engines used in these cars were from PSA (Peugeot-Citroen) with displacements of 1.7L and 1.9L, producing 71hp and 90hp respectively.
A turbocharged version of the 1.9L engine was available, producing 110hp.
The Volvo 440 and 460 were facelifted in 1993 with a new front bumper, revised interior, and optional features such as air conditioning.
In 1995, a further update introduced a new dashboard design and additional equipment options.
The cars had a top speed of around 115-120mph (185-193km/h), dependent on the engine chosen.
Fuel economy was good for the time, with up to 45mpg in some trim levels.
In 1996, Volvo recalled over 100,000 of these models due to concerns over the fuel pump and ignition system reliability.
The engines used in the Volvo 440/460 were known for being somewhat underpowered and thirsty compared to modern standards.
The cars featured a unique "Volvo" instrument cluster, consisting of three separate dials (speedometer, rev counter, and fuel gauge).
The interior trim was known for its durable and stain-resistant design, with options including cloth or leather upholstery.
In some markets, the Volvo 440/460 were marketed as being more premium than they actually were, due to their association with the Volvo brand name.
A number of racing variants were developed using the Volvo 440 engine, which produced up to 200hp in competition trim.
In Australia, a limited edition "Australian Delight" model was released in 1996, featuring unique badging and additional equipment.
The Volvo 440/460 cars had a relatively short lifespan, being replaced by the V40 range from 1995-1997, depending on market.
Despite their age, examples of these cars can still be found for sale today, often at relatively low prices due to their reputation and reliability concerns.
The Volvo 440/460 cars were built in several countries including Sweden, France, and Australia.
In some European markets, the cars were branded as "Volvo C" models, but this is not universally used.
A small number of Volvo 440/460 were converted to right-hand drive for use in Japan.
In Scandinavia, a unique model was released called the "Volvo 44", which featured an extended boot and additional equipment options.
The Volvo 440/460 cars shared many parts with other PSA-platformed models from Peugeot and Renault.

Volvo, 440/460 Little Known Facts