Volvo 900 Series Explained

Volvo 900 Series
Manufacturer:Volvo Cars
Platform:P90[1]
Class:Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Layout:Longitudinal FR layout[2]
Predecessor:Volvo 700 Series
Successor:Volvo V70 III (Estate)
Volvo S80 (Sedan)
Volvo S80L (Executive Royal)
Designer:Rolf Malmgren, Håkan Malmgren

The Volvo 900 Series is a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1990[3] to 1998.[3] The 900 Series was introduced in 1990 to replace the 700 Series from which it derived. Prior to the end of its production, the 960 was renamed as the Volvo S90 (saloon) and Volvo V90 (estate), and the 940 was renamed 940 Classic, becoming the last rear-wheel-drive cars from Volvo, until the 2023 Volvo XC40.

Visible differences between the 700 and the 900 Series included redesigned rear styling of the saloon models (late 700 estates and early 900 estates are visually identical). The 960 was introduced in 1991 along with a new family of modular engines, and then was substantially revised for the 1995 model year, improving the handling. The range was augmented by the new Volvo 850 in 1991. The last of the 900s was sold in 1998. Some 900 Series were built as chassis for ambulances and hearses after the main production run had been completed.__TOC__

Volvo 940

Volvo 940
Manufacturer:Volvo Cars
Production:September 1990–February 1998[4]
Layout:FR layout
Length:191.7inches

Introduced in September 1990, the 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskin of the 740[5] aside from the completely redesigned rear from the C pillar back on the sedan. The new, taller trunk did diminish rearward vision but provided a larger opening to a larger boot than on the 700-series. The dashboard and seats were all new, offering a bit more headroom and the option of an integrated child booster seat in the rear.[6] All drivetrains, and most options available in the 940 had been available in the 740, with the exception of the 780 Coupé. The 940 was more closely related to the 740 than the 760, sharing similar drivetrain choices and sheet metal from the A-pillar forward. In contrast, the 960 was an evolution of the 760. The 760 / 960 front sheet metal, independent rear suspension, dashboard, and other interior features were all exclusive to the two upscale models. The 940 estate, introduced in May 1991, was almost identical to its 740 estate predecessor.

The engines options were carried over from the 740, with 8-valve 2-litre (B200) and 2.3-litre (B230) four cylinder gasoline engines, either naturally aspirated or turbocharged, as well as the familiar 2.4-litre Volkswagen six-cylinder diesel and turbodiesels being fitted. There were also 16-valve versions of the gasoline engines fitted on some 1991 and 1992 models (B204, B234, naturally aspirated). The 2-litre 16-valve engine was fitted to the 940 base model in Italy at the time of introduction, to mark it being a step up from the 740.[7] After the 740 was discontinued, the eight-valve engine found its way into the 940 as well. The 2.3-litre turbocharged version produces ; Volvo sold a chip tuning kit called Turbo+ which boosted the power to .[8]

In 1994, gasoline engine range was limited to 2.3 engines in Britain, but the 2.0-litre engines remained available in markets with tight tax limits, such as Italy, Belgium, and Portugal. A low-pressure turbocharged version of the B230, the B230FK, debuted in 1994 – maximum power was only up slightly over the B230FB, from 131to, but torque increased throughout the range and there was virtually no turbo lag due to the small size of the charger. The turbocharged 2.0 was first presented in February 1991.[5] Originally intended for Italy and other markets with significant taxation thresholds at two litres, it was later also installed in the British-market 940 SE. The most commonly found engines on 940s were the naturally aspirated B230FB with (all markets but US), B230FD with (mainly for the US market), the turbocharged B230FK and FT, and the D24TIC diesel engine with . The share of sales for the turbodiesel were much lower for the 900-series than in earlier years.[7]

Engines were fitted with either a 5-speed (M47) or 4-speed+overdrive (M46) manual gearbox or an automatic transmission, either Aisin-Warner AW70/71/72 (3-speed+overdrive) or ZF 4HP22 (4-speed) for some B230FB (or E) and diesel engines. In 1995, the manual gearbox was replaced with a full 5-speed (M90), and the ZF was abandoned for gasoline engines and fitted only on diesels.

The SE emblem denoted very different trim and engine levels in different countries. In Sweden, the 940 SE was an ordinary non-turbo 940 with some optional extras as standard, most notably painted mirrors and bumpers. In the UK it was a high trim level available with all engines (from 2.0 to 2.3 turbo). In Australia, the 940 SE was a high trim level with only the 2.3 Turbo B230FT with some extras as standard and featured, rather unusually, full painted bumpers. In Thailand the 940 SE was a Turbo (LPT) model with leather seats, ABS brakes and SRS Airbag. In the US, the 940 SE utilised the body from the 960 (different dashboard, firewall, hood, recessed windscreen wipers etc) with the four-cylinder B230FT engine, the 940 SE badge presumably chosen by Volvo in order to maintain the link between name and number of cylinders.

From MY 1993 on, in Italy all 940 estates were badged "Polar" (engine B200F) or "Super Polar" (engine B200FT). Towards the end of the model cycle, certain countries (as Sweden, Germany and Switzerland) received a well equipped, limited series badged "Classic". Production of the 940 series extended from 1990 to 1998 with a total of 246,704 units of sedan and 231,677 units of estate.[9] The Volvo 940 is among the last in the long-running line of rear-wheel drive cars from Volvo.

North America

In the United States, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940 GLE used a DOHC 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine (B234) with a 6000 rpm redline. The 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine (B230FT), and the top-end 940 SE (also turbocharged) included body-coloured trim, and various premium features (leather, power seats/moonroof, etc.) as standard equipment.

This is one of the Volvo vehicles that was produced at Volvo's former manufacturing facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In 1993, 940s built at that plant were affixed with roundels at the rear window, to celebrate the plant's 30th anniversary.

For the 1992 model year the 940 GLE was downgraded with a version of the 2.3-litre four-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL. The 940 SE was in actuality a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, while the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. US-sales ended in 1995 in favour of the Volvo 850 and Volvo 960 series.

Volvo 960

Volvo 960
Manufacturer:Volvo Cars
Production:1990–1998
Layout:FR layout

1990–1994

The Autumn of 1990 marked the launch of the Volvo 960 in time for the 1991 model year. This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760, but it was also one of the first cars to feature the work of British designer Peter Horbury.

The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminium 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, often referred to as "white block" in the Volvo community due to its bare aluminium block. Maximum power was 2040NaN0 at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145PS at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760.[10] The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of the DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (190/200 PS, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes. Certain markets also received the 2.3-litre turbo 'Redblock' four with 1650NaN0, and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116or.[11]

The 960 received incremental changes for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. Most visible were the new more shapely seats, and redesigned seat-belts with hydraulic pretensioners for 1992. 1993 saw a new more ergonomic shifter, and in 1994 dual front airbags were introduced in some markets. The opaque sunroof was replaced by a sliding sunshade and glass window. In 1994, the US version of the 3-litre six was tuned for more torque and a less peaky power delivery in favor of U.S. emissions regulations, with 1810NaN0 at 5,200 rpm and 2700NaN0 at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267Nm at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).[12]

Nilsson, a small coachbuilder in Laholm, Sweden, worked under contract with Volvo to supply the stretched 960 Executive (and the later Royal model, with Hermès leather interior). Nilsson offered a number of different lengths and sealed the window in the C-pillar for more privacy in the rear. The Executive had longer rear doors, longer versions had inserts behind the B-pillar.

For North America, the 1992–1994 Volvo 960s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 for the US-market rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1991 as a 1992 model. The 1995 to 1998 960s were built in Göteborg, Sweden. The first 1995 model year (facelift) 960 was built on June 27, 1994.

1994–1998

In 1994 (for the 1995 model year) the 960 received a facelift, including changes to the grille and body-coloured panels.[12] A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170or for the B6244FS version. The new 960 was the first car offered with standard daytime running lights in North America.

Only the modular six-cylinder engines were available from model year 1995 on. The front suspension was redesigned to more closely match that of the 850. The rear suspension received a completely redesigned multi-link independent system with a single fibreglass transverse leaf spring. The 1995 estate received independent rear suspension. Volvo reported that the single composite leaf spring used in the rear suspension of the 960 estate had the same mass as just one of the two springs it replaced.[13] Boge's Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension system became an option rather than standard equipment.

Trim levels were GLT and SE for European markets.

From 1996, Volvo renamed the 960 in select markets as Volvo S90 (saloon) and Volvo V90 (estate) in alignment with the letter-and-number naming scheme used on their other models. This renaming applied to several European countries in late 1996, in North America from late 1996 for the 1997 model year, and in Australia from March 1997. The new name coincided with an improved air conditioning system.

All US cars were equipped with an electronically controlled Aisin AW-series automatic transmission. Beginning in the 1995 model year, European cars with the 2.5 L engines were also available with a manual transmission, the so-called M90, a strong new design that was derived from the Volvo 850's transmission. With the demise of the 2.5 L engine, the M90 was paired with a detuned version (180PS) of the 3.0 L engine.

Production of the 960 and its S90 and V90 derivatives ended in 1998 with a total of 112,710 sedans and 41,619 estates.[14]

The S90/V90 nameplate returned to use when Volvo introduced its flagship model in 2016.[15]

Specifications

Engines

These engines were offered in the 900 Series vehicles over the years:

Petrol engines!Model!!Engine code!!Year(s)!!Power at rpm!!Torque at rpm!!Displacement!! Engine
config.
940 1991 at 5700 at 2800 I4
940 S/GL/GLE 1991–1995 at 5700 at 2800 rpm
1992–1994 at 5700 at 2800
1992–1998 at 5600 at 3600
940 2.0 8V Turbo / 940 Wentworth1991–1998
940 2.0 16V 1991 at 6000 at 4800
960 2.0 16V Turbo 1991–1993 at 5300 at 2950
960 2.0 16V Turbo 1991–1993 at 5300 at 2950
1991 190 Nm at 3300
940 GLE B230F[16] 1991–1994 at 5400 at 2500
940 GL/GLE 1991–1995 at 5500 at 2950
940 (California Emissions) B230FD 1993-1994 at 4900 at 2500
940 Turbo/940SE (US)/960 2.3 Turbo 1991–1998 at 4800 at 3450
940 SE (Thailand), 940 Polar (LPT) 1995–1998 at 4900 at 2300
940 1992–1995 at 5500 185Nm at 2950
940/960 1991–1994 at 4800 265Nm at 3450
1995–1998 at 4900 230Nm at 2300
940 GLT 2.3 16V 1991–1992 at 5600 at 4800
1991–1992
960 B280E[17] 1991–1992 at 5400 Nordic version
at 5400 European version
at 4500 V6
960 1991–1992 at 5100 at 3750
S90 (Asian Market) B6244F 1995 at 5800 at 4400 I6
960 2.5 24V B6254FS1994–1997 at 5700 at 4400
1996 n/a n/a
960 B6304G 1996 at 6000 at 4300
960 B6304S1992–1997
S90/V90 3.0 24V B6304S21997–1998 at 5200 at 4100
960/S90/V90 3.0 24V B6304F[18]
B6304FS[19] [20]
1991–1997 at 6000 at 4300
1997–1998 at 5200 at 4000
Diesel engines!Model!!Engine code!!Year(s)!!Power at rpm!!Torque at rpm!!Displacement!!Engine configuration
940 (Diesel) D24[21] 1992–1993 at 4700 at 2000 I6
940 (Turbodiesel) 1991–1993 at 4800 at 2500
with EGR at 2400 with EGR
940/960 (Turbodiesel w/ Intercooler) D24TIC[22] 1991–1996 at 4800
at 4800
at 2400
at 2500

[24]

Transmissions

Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year/model/engine combinations including the:

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: sv . Tjugo år sedan den sista Volvo 940 tillverkades . Twenty years since the last 940 was manufactured . www.klassiker.nu . Fredrik . Nyblad . 5 February 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180210213708/http://www.klassiker.nu/reportage/tjugo-ar-sedan-den-sista-volvo-940-tillverkades . 2018-02-10 . 2018-02-11 . live.
  2. Web site: 1991-98 Volvo 940/960/S90/V90. July 28, 2014.
  3. Web site: en . 1990-1999: A historical review . Volvo Car Corporation . www.media.volvocars.com . 8 January 2000 . 2017-10-15 .
  4. Web site: en . 940 Estate . Volvo Car Corporation . www.volvocars.com/intl . 2018-02-11 . 2018-02-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180212083249/https://www.volvocars.com/intl/about/our-company/heritage/heritage-models/50-940-estate . dead .
  5. Book: it . Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 . Editoriale Domus S.p.A . 1992 . 1169–1172 . Milano.
  6. CC91 . Mycket skrik för lite ull . Much ado about nothing . sv . . Specialtidningsförlaget AB . Stockholm, Sweden . 28 . 1991-01-24 . 2 . 43 . Calle . Carlquist .
  7. Web site: Meno spigoli più sprint. Fewer corners, more dash . 1990-09-29 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210428211515/https://ricerca.repubblica.it/repubblica/archivio/repubblica/1990/09/29/meno-spigoli-piu-sprint.html . 2021-04-28 . Alberto . Bellucci . . it .
  8. AS91b . Säkrare 900, billigare 400 . Safer 900, cheaper 400 . sv . . Specialtidningsförlaget AB . Stockholm, Sweden . 18 . 1991-09-05 . 17 . 43 . Alrik . Söderlind .
  9. Web site: en . VOLVO 940 (1990-1998) . Volvo . 27 June 2013 . 2023-01-11 .
  10. Web site: Exchange: Volvo 960 Basegrade . Goo-net . https://web.archive.org/web/20110711111551/http://exchange.goo-net.com/catalog/VOLVO__960/9000812/ . 2011-07-11 . 2010-12-03 . dead.
  11. Book: Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 . Editoriale Domus S.p.A . 1992 . 1173–1174 . it . Milano .
  12. Web site: en . Press launch information pack – Volvo 960 1995 . Volvo Car UK Ltd. . June 1994 . 2018-02-11 .
  13. Web site: Quality takes center stage in '97 . David . Bak . 7 October 1996. https://web.archive.org/web/20060216234516/http://www.designnews.com/article/CA151178.html . 2006-02-16 . 2019-02-07 . dead.
  14. Web site: 27 June 2013 . VOLVO 940 (1990-1998) . 2023-01-11 . Volvo Cars . Volvo . en.
  15. Web site: en . 2016 Volvo S90 to rival Jaguar XF . Autocar . Jim Holder . 14 April 2015 . 2016-07-24 .
  16. Web site: en . 1993 Volvo 940 owner's manual . Volvo Car Corporation . new.volvocars.com . 1992 . 2018-02-11 .
  17. Web site: Volvo 960 Battery with mounting parts B280E, B280F . Volvo Car Corporation.
  18. Web site: Press kit . www.volvoclub.org.uk .
  19. Web site: en . Volvo 960 Press Kit . Volvo Car UK Ltd. . July 1995 . 2018-05-27 .
  20. Web site: Technical Info .
  21. Web site: Tech data . www.volvoclub.org.uk .
  22. Web site: en . Volvo 940 960 buyers guide .
  23. Book: Björn-Eric Lindh . Volvo: The Cars – From the 20s to the 80s . Förlagshuset Norden . Malmö, Sweden . 214 . 1986 . 2nd English . 91-86442-14-7.
  24. News: en . Road Test: Volvo 940 . Independent . Jim White . Gavin Green . 10 June 1995 . 2018-02-11 .