The classic Volvo is a young man your neighbor will envy!

Sometimes you want to turn the analog key in the ignition and feel complete control over the car without any auxiliary systems, annoying start-stop system and a glowing indicator from a damaged tire pressure sensor and aimlessly drive several tens of kilometers ... Yes, you need a classic Volvo, preferably an 850 T5 -R or 850R!

Each year, car manufacturers provide us with additional enhancements and systems to fit new vehicles. Thanks to them, we can see in the dark, the “blind spot” in the mirror has ceased to exist, headlights adjust to road conditions, and autonomous driving systems are increasingly replacing the driver. But what if, after a hard week of work, you want to get into the car, turn the analog key in the ignition and feel complete control over the car without any auxiliary systems, annoying start-stop system and a glowing indicator, damaged the tire pressure sensor and drove aimlessly for several tens of kilometers? Youngtimer is best suited for such cases, as it regularly takes us back in time.

Stand out at meetings

An indispensable element of the presence of classics is participation in various kinds of drawings and rallies. This is a great entertainment for which you can get together with the whole family and have a great time with friends. Each rally is dominated by cars from outside the western border. In all rally car parks we will find streamlined Mercedes, Volkswagen or a few Porsche cars. Volvo is a great way not only to enjoy driving, but also to stand out from the crowd. And here it will be a particularly good choice. Volvo 850 T5-R Or 850R.

The legend of the "flying brick".

In 1994 of the year Volvo together with the team TWR submitted Model 850 adapted for the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC). In the first season, the team 850 Racing he was the only one to race station wagons. The following season, a rule change prevented the re-release of this body type, so the team was forced to switch to sedans. However, it continues Volvo 850 BTSS bore the nickname "Flying Brick", referring to the angular body.

Marketing success of the team 850 Racing by TWR was released in a limited edition of 5 copies. T5-R Serieswhich was only released in 1995. Unlike the racing version, T5-P it had a turbocharged engine. It was decided to use the fifth line in the nomenclature. Volvo called T5 from the Whiteblock family with a capacity of 2.3 liters. In this version, in overboost mode, it has a power of 240 hp. and a torque of 330 Nm. There were two transmissions: a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic. Model 850 it was the second car in the brand's lineup with front axle drive only. The first model to be equipped with FWD is the 400-series family, which was developed in parallel with the 850-series as the second branch of the Galaxy project.

interior Volvo 850 T5-R upholstered in leather and alcantara. The sports seats are trimmed in Alcantara on the sides and in leather in the middle of the seat and backrest. A very simple and angular instrument panel, slightly directed towards the driver, is trimmed with walnut wood.

From the outside, this version can be recognized by a different front bumper and plain anthracite five-spoke wheels. T5-P it appeared in only three body colors - the most characteristic yellow banana yellowin the production of 2 units, black is produced in the same quantity, and emerald green is only 500 units.

Volvo 850R is the fastest option

1996 means the last year of production 800 series, a successor was introduced T5-R-ki – model Volvo 850R. Although about 9 units were produced, it no longer had limited series status. Visually Volvo 850R the color scheme was different from its predecessor. We can meet R-ka, among others in red or white. The five-spoke Titan rims were replaced with the Volans model. A sportier front bumper was added again, as well as a stiffened and lowered suspension, as well as a self-levelling rear axle suspension. The same materials are used in the interior, but this time in reverse combination. The sides of the seats are trimmed in leather, and the center is in Alcantara.

The biggest changes have occurred in the mechanics. This time the 2.3 T5 engine has 250 hp. in the version with a manual transmission and 240 hp. version with automatic transmission. Thanks to the use of another turbine, power was not obtained only in overboost mode. With the increase in power, the manual gearbox was changed - the R version was equipped with the M59 gearbox, which has a mechanical differential on the front axle as standard.

Classic Volvo on the track in Modlin

Thanks to the courtesy of the Polish branch of Volvo, I had the opportunity to test on the track in Modlin several more or less old models of the brand, which were provided by the company Volvo Museum in Gothenburg. We had the first wagon at our disposal - Volvo Duet, Volvo P1800S known from the TV series "The Saint" with Roger Moore and more modern Volvo 240 Turbo and yellow Volvo 850 T5-R. This unique experience was reinforced by the fact that none of these models is very popular in our domestic youth market.

Although it has gained popularity in recent years Volvo P1800 (probably due to the unique design, which may lead unsophisticated passers-by to think that this is a car from the Ferrari or Maserati stable), so I definitely recommend to start your adventure with classic automotive Model 850. Despite more than 20 years on the neck, this is quite a modern car. It includes automatic air conditioning, heated and power seats, and an optional heated rear seat. In addition to comfort, passenger safety is, as usual, at a very high level. Construction Volvo 850 models took into account the innovative SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), which, thanks to the strengthening of the thresholds and the roof, creates a kind of safety cage.

Well, the new Volvo from Sweden ... sorry - from the USA

After a day spent with fantastic classics made history Volvo, with a smile I fall into new S60Where else can you feel the Scandinavian spirit. Minimalism on the dashboard and quality finishes are the standard that buyers are used to. Volvo. Add to that the excellent soundproofing and new technologies that made the return trip to Krakow quite uncomfortable after an eventful day. It is a pity that in the last few years one cylinder has been lost, but this is such a sign of our time.

Volvo 850R + S60?

For me 850R i S60 the perfect duo to complement each other in the garage. We can also choose V60, van would be synonymous Volvo. Anyway, I choose new ones every day Volvodefinitely for the weekend madness "Flying Brick".