The Volvo 850 was a compact executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Car Corporation. The first generation of the 850 series, which spanned from 1991 to 1997, included the sporty variant known as the R.
Engine and Transmission:
The Volvo 850 R came with a range of inline-5 cylinder engines including:
2.0L inline-5 (165 HP)
2.3L inline-5 (185 HP)
2.9L inline-6 (230 HP)
A turbocharged version of the 2.3L inline-5 producing up to 225 HP
The engines were paired with a 4-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual transmission
Performance:
The 850 R with the turbocharged 2.3L engine could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in approximately 8 seconds
Top speed for this model was electronically limited to around 143 mph
Handling was improved through the use of stiffer suspension, larger wheels, and a rear spoiler
Design and Features:
The Volvo 850 R featured a sport-tuned version of the 850's bodywork with distinctive styling elements such as large spoilers at both front and rear, side skirts, and a distinctive mesh air dam
The interior was enhanced with sports seats and other trim pieces specific to the model
Safety Features:
The Volvo 850 R included an array of standard safety features including anti-lock brakes (ABS), driver and passenger airbags, as well as side impact protection.
Production and Discontinuation:
Production for the first generation Volvo 850 began in 1991 and continued through 1997
Although the model received updates and facelifts during its production cycle, its popularity waned by the mid-90s, leading to its eventual discontinuation.