Volvo 850 T-5R '1994-1995

'Safety color'

Volvo’s entrance on the wolfcar markets was turning point for the company in many ways: they had just launched a 850 that was a first proper Volvo with front wheel drive, first exported Volvo to North-America with fwd, styling that was awarded with Good Design Grand Prize (850 was awarded all together 40 times for its different qualities) for its design and some say that 850 was the final touch that raised Volvo to premium brand. The design still is something quite uniq: lines from the Jan Wilsgaard’s pencil are yet recognizable boxines of Volvo (that is mostly gone nowadays with strange characters adopted from the Hyundai or similar), but at the same time  more gentle with a rounded edges and the balance of the elements in a body is spectacular. The outlines of the 850 really looks like a car: most probably if you ask people to draw a car they will either draw some ellipse with wheels (the beetle) or something similar to outlines of the Volvo. 

Volvo 850 T-R in cream yellow with titanium gey wheels -perfect match! Source: carwallpapers.ru

Volvo had never built anything like T-5R before, nor GTI’s or cars with sexy appeal, only few Turbo models to provoke Saab and for safe overtaking and of course they made one beautiful gran turismo mistake of P1800.  Therefore the new bright yellow wolf car raised some eyebrows when it was introduced in 1994. And guess what, because Volvo didn’t have experience of building wolfcars, Porsche was called in to help with the design process!!! The yellow color of the release model was something totally against Volvos image that celebrated practicability and safety. Volvo’s design manager Peter Horbury wanted to use yellow “safety color” that Volvo had tried for accident decrease means to gain maximum attention for the new model and era of safe, fast and imposing Volvos. The yellow T-5R’s were sold out in U.S just in five months.

Without rear spoiler just perfect. Source: volvoadventures.com

The figures of the T-5R are not that spectacular nowadays as today’s budget racers are pushing out even greater figures, but if you think it’s a front wheel drive 240hp should be enough for the understeer. For me the T-5R is something more special than its German rivals as there’s a unique sound of the five pot engine, characteristic styling and of course the magic touch of Porsche.

Clear lines of the T5-R staton wagon. Source: hempassagen.se

Check out the stance of the flying wagon! Source: s3.zetaboards.com

Volvo also participated in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) with the 850 T-5R station wagon (approx. figures: 280 hv @ 8500 r/min)! Race version was build together with Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR) and estate was chosen because the better aerodynamic quality and probably because the media coverage. Volvo competed with average success couple of years and station wagon was changes to sedan after the first season.

 

In details:

Engine
R5, 2435cc, 20-valve, electronic fuel injection (B5234T3 ‘Porsche tweaked’)
compression ratio 10,5:1

Mitsubishi ‘TD04HL-15G’  turbo (10,5 Psi)

Forged vanadium steel crank and connection rods

OBDII –diagnostics system (one of the first cars -system become automotive standard)
Numbers
243hp/5600rpm (with 30 sec over boost)
330Nm (300Nm auto)/2000rpm (with 30 sec over boost)
Top speed: 249km/h (245km/h auto) (limited)

0-100km/h: 5,9s (6,6s auto)
1450kg

Drag coefficient: 0.29
Transmission
5 speed manual or 4 speed auto, FWD (Porsche tweaked powertrain)
Chassis

"Delta-link" semi-independent rear suspension, Independent, coil springs (F&R)

Ventilated disks

5-spoke alloys 7x17” with Pirelli “P-Zero” tires
Exterior
Special front and rear spoilers

Side skirts

Polished door sils

Titanium grey 5-spoke alloys

Special “motorsport” trunk badge
Interior

Special graphite leather / alcantara seats  (Porsche tweaked)

Deep walnut wood panels

First car that featured a 4 airbacks as a standard

First sedan with three point seatbelts in every seat
Other
Only three available colors and production including station wagon: cream yellow (1975), black (3025) and olive green (500)

Only two options available: Alpine 6-CD changer and 16” alloys for smoother ride