Volvo 200 Series

The Volvo 200 Series (or 240 and 260 Series) is a range of mid-size cars produced by Swedish company Volvo Cars from 1974 to 1993, with more than 2.8 million total units sold worldwide.[6] Like the Volvo 140 Series (1966 to 1974), from which it was developed, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard.

Volvo 200 Series
1993 Volvo 240 GL estate (Europe)
Overview
ManufacturerVolvo Cars
Production
  • Europe: 1974–1993
  • Canada: 1974–1985
  • Malaysia: 1983–1993
Assembly
DesignerJan Wilsgaard
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style
  • 2-door sedan
  • 4-door sedan
  • 5-door estate
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
RelatedVolvo 262C
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase104.3 in (2,649 mm)
Length
  • 189.9 in (4,823 mm) (sedan)
  • 190.7 in (4,844 mm) (wagon)
Width
  • 67.7 in (1,720 mm) (sedan, pre-1987)
  • 67.3 in (1,709 mm) (sedan, 1988–1993)
Height
  • 56.3 in (1,430 mm) (sedan)
  • 57.1 in (1,450 mm) (wagon, pre-1990)
  • 57.5 in (1,460 mm) (wagon, 1991-93)
Curb weightbetween 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
(244 base model) and 1,465 kg (3,230 lb) (265 model)[5]
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor

The series overlapped production of the Volvo 700 Series (1982 to 1992). As the 240 Series remained popular, only the 260 Series was displaced by the 700 Series, which Volvo marketed alongside the 240 for another decade. The 700 was replaced by the 900 Series in 1992, a year before the 240 was discontinued. Production of the 240 ended on 14 May 1993, after nearly 20 years.

History

The Volvo 240 and 260 series were introduced in the autumn of 1974, and was initially available as seven variations of the 240 Series (242L, 242DL, 242GT, 244DL, 244GL, 245L and 245DL) and two variations of the 260 Series (264DL and 264GL). The 240 Series was available in sedan (with two or four doors) or station wagon, however, the 260 Series was available as a coupé (262C Bertone), four-door sedan, or station wagon. The 200 looked much like the earlier 140 and 164, for they shared the same body shell and were largely the same from the cowl rearward. However, the 200 incorporated many of the features and design elements tried in the Volvo VESC ESV in 1972, which was a prototype experiment in car safety. The overall safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a crash was greatly improved with very large front and rear end crumple zones. Another main change was to the engines, which were now of an overhead cam design. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six.

The 200 Series had MacPherson strut-type front suspension, which increased room around the engine bay, while the rear suspension was a modified version of that fitted to the 140 Series. The steering was greatly improved with the installation of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL, and there were some modifications made to the braking system (in particular the master cylinder).[7]

First-generation 240s in international (Australian 1978 244DL sedan, left) and North American (US 1975 245DL wagon, right) versions. The international version has white parking lamps and larger headlamps; the American version has side markers.

The front end of the car was also completely restyled with a "shovel nose" which closely resembled that of the ESV prototype vehicle – that being the most obvious change which made the 200 Series distinguishable from the earlier 140 and 160 Series. Other than all the changes mentioned above, the 200 Series was almost identical to the 140 and 160 Series from the bulkhead to the very rear end. In 1978, a facelift meant a redesigned rear end for sedans, with wraparound taillights and a trunk opening with a lower lip. The dashboard was derived from the safety fascia introduced for the 1973 model year 100 Series - the main change for the 200 Series was the adoption of slatted "egg crate" style air vents in place of the eyeball style vents used in the 140/160 and the square clock. All models were available with a choice of four-speed manual or a three-speed automatic transmission. Overdrive was also optional on the manual 244GL, while a five-speed manual gearbox was optional on the 264GL and 265GL.[8]

In the autumn of 1975 (for the 1976 model year in America), the 265 DL estate became available alongside the existing range, and this was the first production Volvo estate to be powered by a six-cylinder engine. The choice of gearboxes was also improved, with overdrive now available as an option in all manual models except the base-model 242L and 245L. As before, a three-speed automatic was optional in every model. The B21A engine gained three horsepower; a new steering wheel and gearknob were also introduced.[9]

European-specification 1979-1980 two-door sedan 242 DL

At the 1976 Paris Motor Show Bertone first showed the stretched 264 TE, a seven-seat limousine on a 3,430 mm (135 in) wheelbase, although it had entered production earlier. The raw bodies were sent from Sweden to Grugliasco for lengthening, reinforcing, and finishing. Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden used one, as did much of East Germany's political leadership.[10]

For 1977 the B19A engine with 90 PS (66 kW) replaced the B20A in most markets, although the old pushrod type soldiered on for another two years in some places. This is also the year that the sportier 242 GT arrived.[9]

In 1978 the grille was altered, now with a chrome surround. Rear view mirrors were now black, while the front seats were changed as were the emblems, while interval wipers were introduced. 1978 models were also the first 240s to receive a new paint formula, to help solve the severe rust problems in previous model years.[9]

The 1979 model year brought a full facelift front and rear, the most obvious change being the adoption of flush fitting square headlamps in place of the recessed circular units, whilst the sedans received new wraparound rear lamp clusters and a restyled leading edge to the trunk lid, although the rear of the wagons remained unchanged. The GLE was added while the L was cancelled, and the six-cylinder diesel arrived late in the year. For 1980, the sporty GLT arrived, replacing the GT. For 1981 there was yet another new grille, while the station wagons received new, wraparound taillights.[9] The B21A gained some four horsepower, now 106 PS (78 kW), while the carburetted B23A with 112 PS (82 kW) was introduced in some markets. The Turbo arrived, while six-cylinder models now had a more powerful 2.8-liter engine.[9] 1981 also saw the dashboard altered significantly, which a much larger binnacle in order to bring the radio and clock within the driver's line of sight. The instrument pod itself, which had been unaltered since the 1973 model year 100 Series, was also redesigned.

1993 Volvo 240 SE estate (UK)

Incremental improvements were made almost every year of the production run. One of the major improvements was the introduction of the oxygen sensor in North America in late 1976 (1977 models), which Volvo called Lambda Sond and developed in conjunction with Bosch. It added a feedback loop to the K-Jetronic fuel injection system already in use, which allowed fine-tuning of the air and fuel mixture and therefore produced superior emissions, drivability and fuel economy.

For the 1983 model year, Volvo dropped the DL and GLE labels, selling the cars simply as 240s. In the domestic Swedish market, the 240 could be had with a 2.1 or 2.3-liter engine (more options were available in export), but the bigger engine always came coupled with a five-speed transmission and tinted windows.[11] The 1983s also received wider side trim and all models had the larger taillights introduced on the previous year's GLT model. A B23E-engined GLE variant was also added (not available with two doors).[11] Buyers protested against the lack of grades and they returned for 1984.[9] A new manual gearbox also arrived for 1984, while a four-speed automatic option was available in the GL. The GLT and Turbo versions received a taller grille.[9]

About one-third of all 240s sold were station wagons, which featured very large cargo space of 41 cubic feet (1.2 m3).[12] They could be outfitted with a rear-facing foldable jumpseat in the passenger area, making the wagon a seven-passenger vehicle. The jumpseat came with three-point seat belts, and wagons were designed to have a reinforced floor section, protecting the occupants of the jumpseat in the event of a rear-end collision.

The last 200 produced was a blue station wagon built to the Italian specification and named the "Polar Italia", currently displayed at the Volvo World Museum.

Engines
B21A engine in a 1970s Volvo 240, showing single side draft carburetor

The 200 series was offered with three families of engines. Most 240s were equipped with Volvo's own red block, 2.0-2.3 litre four-cylinder engines. Both overhead valve and overhead cam versions of the red block engines were installed in 240s. The B20 was used only in the early years and subsequently replaced by the B19, a smaller version of the B21. Power of the carburetted versions increased for the 1979 model year. V6 engines were also available, first in the 260-models, but also later in the GLE- and GLT-versions of 240. Known as the PRV family, they were developed in a three-way partnership among Volvo, Peugeot and Renault, 240 diesel models are powered by diesel engines purchased from Volkswagen. In Greece and Israel the 1.8 liter B17 engine was available beginning with the 1980 model year (also as a luxuriously equipped 260). This hard working little twin-carb engine developed 90 PS (66 kW), and had considerably higher fuel consumption than even the turbocharged top version.[13]

The 1974 240 series retained the B20A inline-four engine from the 140 Series in certain markets, with the new B21A engine available as an option on the 240 DL models. The new B21 engine was a 2,127 cc, four-cylinder unit, which had a cast-iron block, a five-bearing crankshaft, and a belt-driven overhead camshaft. This engine produced 97 PS (71 kW) for the B21A carburettor 242DL, 244DL and 245DL, and 123 PS (90 kW) for the B21E fuel-injected 244GL. The carburetted B19A also produced 97 PS (71 kW), although at 5400 rpm, while the fuel injected B19E claimed 117 PS (86 kW).[14]

North American inline-fours

The first models to reach the US market were 1975 models equipped with the old pushrod B20F engine, with the new OHC B21F motor making its way to America for the 1976 model year. The US and Canadian 200-series ranges were not identical; the B21A carbureted engine was never available in the US, but was the base engine in Canada from 1977 through 1984. All 240s were fuel-injected in the US market; the carbureted B20 and B21 engines were not available due to emissions regulations. 1975-76 Canadian models were identical to their US counterparts. From 1979, a North American 240 with the fuel injected B21F produces 107 hp (80 kW) at 5,250 rpm.[15][16] Beginning in 1985, Canadian models received the US model engines, usually in 49-state form, except for the turbo, which only had California emission controls.

Six-cylinder PRV

The 260 models had a completely new 90-degree V6 B27E engine, sometimes called the "Douvrin".[8][17] This engine was developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo in collaboration, and is therefore generally known as the "PRV engine". This engine was unusual at the time, being composed of many small parts in a modular design (as opposed to a monolithic engine block and head). The B27E engine has a displacement of 2,664 cc, an aluminium alloy block, and wet cylinder liners. This engine produces 140 bhp (100 kW) for both the 264DL and 264GL. In fuel-injected form, the B27F was introduced to the US in the 1976 260 series. The two-door 262 DL and GL sedans, the 264DL saloon (sedan) and the new 265DL estate (station wagon) were offered outside North America with the B27A engine. Almost identical to the fuel-injected V6 B27E engine, it has an SU carburettor instead of fuel injection, and therefore it produces a lower output of 125 PS (92 kW). The PRV engine (B27E in 1980, B28E 1981–1984) was also used in 244/245 GLT6 on several markets as an option until 1984.

Volvo increased engine displacement to 2.8 litres in 1980 with the introduction of the B28E and B28F, which were prone to top-end oiling troubles and premature camshaft wear. Some export markets also received the lower output carburetted B28A engine with 129 PS (95 kW) at 5,250 rpm, capable of running on lower-octane fuel.[18] Volvo also installed the B28 V6 in their new 760 model and the engine was used by numerous other manufacturers in the 1970s and 1980s. The updated B280 engine used in the final years of the 760 and 780 models did not suffer from the same premature camshaft wear as the earlier PRV engines. In North America, the 260 series was only available with a three-speed automatic transmission or a five-speed manual transmission with electronic overdrive and the engine produces 130 hp (97 kW).[19]

VW diesels

Announced at the 1978 Paris Auto Show, the Volvo 240 GL D6 was introduced in the spring of 1979. Volvo's new diesel engine was purchased from Volkswagen and was a six-cylinder iteration of the ones installed in diesel Volkswagen and Audi vehicles at the time.[20] Production was initially low, with only around 600 built by the time of the introduction of the 1980 model year cars.[21] A turbocharged diesel was never sold in the 200 series. At the time of introduction, the six-cylinder Volvo was one of the fastest as well as quietest diesels sold.[22] These engines are all liquid-cooled, pre-combustion chamber, diesel engines with non-sleeved iron blocks and aluminum heads. A Bosch mechanical injection system is used that requires constant electrical input so that the fuel supply can be cut off when the ignition key is removed.

A 2.4-litre inline-six (the D24) and a 2.0-litre inline-five (the D20) were available, producing 82 PS (60 kW) and 68 PS (50 kW) respectively. The lesser D20 engine was the same as installed in the contemporary Audi 100; it was only sold in select markets where it was favoured by the tax structures. Most D5s went to Finland but it was also marketed in Italy between 1979 and 1981.[23] By 1985 the D6 had replaced the D5 in Finland as well. The D5 was very slow, much slower than the D6 or the Audi 100 with the same five-cylinder engine, reaching 100 km/h from a standing start in 24.4 seconds.[24] The D5 used the same four-speed manual transmission as the D6 but coupled to the lower-geared rear axle also used in 2-litre petrol cars; this meant that fuel consumption figures were only marginally better than those of the larger diesel while noise levels increased noticeably.[24] In Finland, the price difference with the equal six-cylinder diesel was only just over two percent; owners expected to save money by being in much lower tax and insurance brackets.[24]

The diesel had originally been intended to be sold North America first and foremost, but in actuality the D24 only became available in the North American market beginning with the 1980 model year. After the US diesel market collapsed, sales decreased to ever smaller numbers and it was discontinued after the 1985 model year.[25] No diesels were actually delivered during 1980 as Volvo had a hard time meeting the EPA's environmental standards.[25] The federalized diesel developed a claimed 78 hp (58 kW; 79 PS), but was not certified for sale in California.[26]

Badges

Nomenclature

The 200-series cars were identified initially by badges on their trunk lid or rear hatch in a manner similar to the system used for previous models.

  • 1974–1982: three digits (in the format 2XY, where X usually represents the number of cylinders and Y represents the doors: 2 for coupés, 4 for sedans, 5 for station wagons) followed by trim level letters. For example; 244 and 245 were four-cylinder sedans and wagons respectively and 264 and 265 six-cylinder sedans and wagons respectively.
  • 1983–1993: 240 (or 260 until 1985) followed by trim level letters (third digit no longer reflects body style, although it is reflected in the engine compartment label, as well as on the label in the trunk on sedans or under the main cargo compartment storage lid on wagons). Special models (e.g. Polar and Torslanda) sometimes omit the 240.

For the American market:

  • 1975–1979: trim level letters preceded by three digits (in the format 2XY, where X usually represents the number of cylinders and Y represents the doors: 2 for coupés (only for the 262C. 242 are two-door sedans), 4 for sedans, 5 for station wagons)
  • 1980–1985: trim level letters. A small number of four-cylinder 260s were produced, namely the 1980–1981 GL sedan, which could either be a 240 or a 260. Additionally, diesel 240s have six-cylinder engines.
  • 1986–1993: 240 followed by trim level letters (third digit no longer reflects body style), although it is reflected in the engine compartment label, as well as on the label in the trunk on sedans or under the main cargo compartment storage lid on wagons.

Trim levels

Throughout the 200-series' production, different levels of luxury were available for purchase. The specific trim level designations ranged from the 240/244/245 DL, being the least expensive, to the highest specification 264/265 GLE saloon and estate models respectively. The actual equipment and availability of a particular trim level varied depending on the market. The letters normally appear on the trunk lid or rear hatch of the car (except for during MY1983) and had originally represented the following, although by the 1980s the letter codes had officially lost any underlying meaning:[27]

1979-1980 European-spec 244 GLE sedan
  • DL (de Luxe)[28]
  • GL (Grand Luxe)[28]
  • GLE (Grand Luxe Executive)[27]
  • GLT (Grand Luxe Touring)[29]
  • GT (For example, a 1979 GT 200-series Volvo is badged a 242 GT, meaning it is a 240-series car with two doors and sporting trim.)
  • Turbo (replaced the GT offering in 1981, with GLT trim)[30]
1986 Volvo 244 GL

The 4 and 6 codes soon lost their original meaning as signifying the number of cylinders with the introduction of B17-engined four-cylinder Volvo 260s for export to Greece and Israel in the late 1970s. There was also a six-cylinder 240 GLT in some markets, as well as both six- and five-cylinder diesels labelled 240. The second digit now only denoted how luxurious the car was. By June 1982, with the introduction of the model year 1983 Volvos, the third digit too lost its meaning and the 242/244/245 became simply the 240.[31]

Special trim levels

Several trim levels were special offerings only available during certain years or for unique body styles:

  • GTX - this was not an actual trim level, but the name of a sporty parts package available from Volvo dealers in much of Scandinavia
  • Polar - Austerily equipped entry level version on some European markets - such as Italy (1991), Belgium and the Netherlands (1992-1993). Italian spec. always, BeNeLux spec. very often with the B200F engine (instead of the B230F). Cloth interior instead of tricot plush on GL-badged vehicles.

The Polar version was earlier also in 1986 on the German market.

  • Super Polar - 1992-1993 Italy-only model. Well-equipped version with black leather upholstery, power windows all around, air conditioning, and cross-spoke aluminium wheels. Three different metallic paints to choose between, all-black trim instead of chrome. Only available with the B200F engine.
  • SE - special equipment; late runout edition on certain markets in 1991–1993. Typically with GL or GLT interior trim but without the performance and handling modifications. Only 1991 in the United States.
  • Limited - (1993; very similar to classic, but not numbered edition with brass plaque instead of the numbering)
  • Classic - (1993; numbered version of the last 1600 200-series Volvos produced for North American market)

The Classic was also on the Swiss market and equipped with the B230FX engine.

  • Torslanda - 1992-1993 Europe-only Station Wagon version, mainly sold in Britain. Simply equipped with three body colours to chose between.

Engine type

Sometimes, the engine type of a car was also designated by badging. In some instances, these badges were omitted, replaced trim level badges, or even used in combination with them:

  • Turbo (a separate trim level, similar to GLT - 1981-83 models also had GLT Turbo models)
  • Diesel (had most GL features, but some omissions)
  • Injection (indicating fuel injection (K-Jetronic) in certain markets)
  • Katalysator (indicating a catalytic converter in Scandinavia and the German market)

200 Series specifications
  • Produced 1974–1993
  • Production volume: 2,862,053
  • Body style: 4-door sedan (1974–1993), 2-door sedan (1974–1984), 5-door station wagon (1974–1993)
  • Engines: see the engine section for more detail. Engine configurations included:
    • B20 four-cylinder inline OHV
    • B17, B19, B21, B23, B200, B230 four-cylinder inline OHC
    • B19ET, B21ET, B21FT four-cylinder inline OHC turbo (intercooled with factory installed IBS - intercooler boost system kit or Volvo R-Sport dealer retrofitting kit for 1981-1983 models starting in mid-1983.)
    • B27, B28 V6 OHC
    • D20 five-cylinder inline OHC diesel
    • D24 six-cylinder inline OHC diesel
  • Transmissions: Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year, model, market, and engine combinations including the:
    • M40 (4-speed manual, 1975 only)
    • M41 (4-speed manual with electrical overdrive, 1975 only, coupe and sedan only)
    • M45 (4-speed manual)
    • M46 (4-speed manual with electrical overdrive)
    • M47 (5-speed manual)
    • BW35, BW55 or AW55 (3-speed automatic)
    • AW70 or AW71 (4-speed automatic with 3 direct + OD)
  • Brakes: hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels
    • Front: four opposed piston calipers with either solid or (later) vented rotors
    • Rear: twin piston calipers utilizing solid rotors and integral parking brake drums
    • Triangulated braking circuits on non-ABS cars with both front calipers and one rear caliper per circuit. ABS cars used normal diagonal split braking system.
  • Standard safety features
  • Dimensions:
    • Wheelbase: 264 cm (103.9 in)
    • Length (Europe):
      • 1975–1980: 490 cm (192.9 in)
      • 1981–1993: 479 cm (188.6 in)
    • Length (US/Canada):
      • 1975–1982: 490 cm (192.9 in) - 1975–1985 Cdn 240)
      • 1983–1985 US: 479 cm (188.6 in)
      • 1986–1993 US/Cdn: 482 cm (189.8 in)
  • Weight: 2,840 lb (1,288.2 kg) (1989 US spec 240, fully fueled, no driver)

Market differences

European/Australian market
European-spec 1975–1980 264 GL sedan
European-spec 245 GL estate, 1981–82 model; Scandinavia: 1981–84
  • Glass-lens headlamps compliant with international ECE headlighting standards, 1974–1993
  • Fender-mounted side turn signal repeaters introduced various years in different European markets per local regulations; worldwide except North America starting in 1984. Australia starting in 1989.
  • Daytime running lamps implemented by a second, bright 21W filament in the parking lamp bulbs, introduced mid-1970s in Scandinavia and the UK, and in some other markets outside North America in the early 1980s.
  • White parking lamps (with white front turning signals for Italian market until 1977)
  • Aspheric sideview mirrors from the 1980 model year (originally not for the DL)[21]
  • Diesel engine available (except Australia) from 1979 to 1993.

For 1980, the 240 GT and GLE were dropped from most markets, as well as the 265 GLE. In the UK and Australia the 265 GLE was available until 1985 (now badged "260"). The new GLT model which replaced GT and GLE had the GT's 140 PS (103 kW) fuel injected 2.3-litre engine with manual transmission (sedan only), or the 260's 2.7-litre V6 with 141 PS (104 kW) in station wagons or in automatic-equipped sedans.[21]

North American market
1976-1977 Volvo 265 DL wagon with American-market quad round sealed beam headlamp configuration, as used until 1980 on some models
1981 U.S. Volvo 244 GL sedan
1978 Volvo 262C Bertone with North American quad headlights

For 1981, the 260 estate was dropped but the new GLT and GLT Turbo models joined the lineup.[19] The diesel engine was discontinued in 1984, but was still sold in the 1985 model year with a 1984 VIN and 1985 specs. The Turbo model was discontinued in early 1985.

American-spec headlamp configurations 1974–1993

Quad indicates two headlamps per side; all others one headlamp per side[32]

Model Year242244/245262/264/265Turbo/Turbo GLT (242/244/245)
1975Round 7" sealed beamsRound 7" sealed beamsN/AN/A
1976-77Quad round ​5 3⁄4" sealed beams
1978-79Quad round ​5 3⁄4" sealed beamsQuad rectangular 165 mm × 100mm sealed beams
1980DL: quad round ​5 3⁄4" sealed beams
GL, GLE: quad rectangular 165 mm × 100mm sealed beams
1981-82Quad rectangular 165 mm × 100 mm sealed beams (high beams halogen)
1983-84Quad rectangular 165 mm × 100 mm halogen sealed beamsQuad rectangular 165 mm × 100 mm halogen sealed beamsN/AQuad rectangular 165 mm × 100 mm halogen sealed beams
1985N/A
1986-93Replaceable-bulb halogen compositeN/A

Special editions
Volvo 244 DLS.
  • 244 DLS (1977–78): Export model to the former German Democratic Republic with 264 hood and grille from 264DL. Engine B21A. Five different body paintings (solid) available. Total amount exported approx. 1,000 units. The cars were mainly sold to residents of East Germany.[33] Sedans only.
1976–1980 Volvo 264 TE
  • DLi - MY 1978 limited edition for West Germany. DL trim; equipped with fuel-injected B21E engine (instead of B21A carbureted engine on standard "DL" models). Mostly sedans.
  • GLi: MYs 1981 and 1982 specification for the Netherlands. GL trim; equipped with fuel-injected B21E engine (instead of B21A carbureted engine on standard "GL" models there and then). Only estates.
  • 264 TE (top executive, 1976–81): A limousine version of the 264; many now reside in Germany as they were exported to the former German Democratic Republic for use by the government (which would neither use the small Trabant or Wartburg models nor import West German autos like BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes). As a result, the population nicknamed Wandlitz, the preferred home town of politicians, Volvograd.[34]
  • 245 T (transfer) (1977-early 1980s): An extended wheelbase station wagon designed to have additional rows of seats for use as taxi or rural school bus. These cars had the same wheelbase as the 264 top executive.
  • 262C/coupé by Bertone (1978–1981): This had custom body work and interior from Bertone. The exterior coach building of these two-door saloons consisted of a chopped roof (2.25in shorter than 242) and a more raked windscreen. The 1980 & 1981 models were badged coupé instead of 262C. These cars were further characterized by additional Bertone badges on the front wings. Mostly built in left hand drive form, right hand drive vehicles are very rare.
1979 Volvo 242 GT (Australia)
  • 242 GT (1978–79, until 1980 in North America): Sport model with tuned sport suspension and a high-compression engine. All US models were Mystic Silver metallic with black and red racing stripes going from the hood to the side to the trunk. Special black corduroy interior with red stripes. Canadian models were available in black with red pinstripes along the side of the car, in addition to the US model silver. The model was created as Volvo in the US had enjoyed a sportier image and though Volvo now felt too safe and boring. Due to short time and budget constraints they had to make the most with small means. It used the same B21E engine as the GL model but it received ventilated front disc brakes, The chassis was improved wuith a front stabilizing bar, strengthened stabilizers and 30% harder springs than a regular DL. It changed the car from being understeered to being oversteered, something that was often shown in advertising pictures. 3M had approached Volvo about new stripes that would not fade or get damaged in automatic car washes. All 242GT came in silver metallic with stripes in black and red-orange. Another design change is that decor that was normally chromed was black and vice versa. It had fog lights in the grille as standard and a front spoiler. For the first time in a Volvo the headlining was black. The seats were in black courderoy with red-orange stripes. The dashboard got a central rev counter. From 1979 it got the new B23E engine.[35]
  • GLT Turbo (1981–1985): Replaced the GT as the sporty model, equipped with a turbocharged engine, with the 760T intercooler from late 1983, following the sale of the 500 FIA Evolution cars, which were the first 240Ts to be fitted with this uprated intercooler as standard. The two-door model was available 1981–1984; four-door sedans available late 1981-early 1985 and wagons available 1982-early 1985. Came with new black trim as opposed to the popular chrome trim found on the GLs (grill, door trim, door handles, tail light sills and lens dividers). All came factory stock with 15" Virgo alloy wheels.[30]
1993 Volvo 240 Classic wagon (US)
The dash of a 1993 US-market Volvo 240 Classic wagon with leather seats and wood trim
  • GLT (1980–82): Standing for "grand luxe touring," these models shared the uprated suspension, blacked-out exterior trim, and 15" Virgo alloy wheels of the GLT-Turbo model, but with a naturally aspirated powertrain.
  • 244/240 GLE (1981–85) Australian market: Due to the problems with fitting a turbocharger to a RHD vehicle the Turbo model was rebadged GLE and retained all the blacked-out trim and high-end interior fittings of the Turbo models but were equipped with the B23E then B230E engines. These were most frequently fitted with the BW55 transmission until 1983 then the AW71 for 1984 and 1985.
  • 240T Group A FIA homologated turbo (1983): 500 "Evolution" models were built to satisfy production requirements to qualify for the FIA's International Group-A touring car racing. The homologation process of the 500 Evolution cars that formed the basis of the famous GpA Volvo 240T race cars [in order to make the car competitive with the Jaguar XKS and BMW 635s coupés, in Group A touring car racing] was controversial, because VMS [Volvo Motor Sport] elected to convert 500 designated car simultaneously on the east and west coasts of America, instead of down the assembly lines in Europe, and then once inspected by the FIA in the US, the assembled 500 Evolution cars [270 on the West Coast and 230 on the East Coast] would be stripped of the Evolution kit parts, save only for the uprated intercooler, which was left in place on all 500 cars, and sold across America. For the sake of clarity all 500 of these cars had sunroofs, and none were ever shipped back to VMS to be built up into GpA race cars, only the Swedish built 240 DL body shells were used because they were built locally and did not have a sunroof option. VMS realized that there was a loop hole in the FIA regulations at that time, which did not require that "Evolution" cars had to be sold to the public, but merely built and inspected, prior to being granted homologation status, hence the controversy that followed the success of the factory cars when they won the European Touring Car Championship in 1985 and would have won again in 1986, but for a fuel irregularity at one race meeting, that ultimately cost Volvo the championship. This incident also resulted in the board of directors withdrawing from factory supported GpA racing programs. Due to constraints there was insufficient time to install the Evolution components in the 500 designated 240T cars as they went down the assembly lines in Belgium (save only for the fitting of the European market only flat-nose bonnet and matching grille) and so a decision was made to stow each car's Evolution component kit into the trunks of each of the designated cars before they were shipped to the US, and then retro-fit the component in the US. 270 of these cars were sent to the Volvo facility, at Long Island, LA, and the remaining 230 cars were sent to Volvo East Coast facility at Chesapeake Bay, during a period of three weeks all 500 cars were retro-fitted simultaneously on both the west and east coasts with the Evolution kits. However, immediately following the FIA's random inspection of all the 500 "Evolution" cars, the installation teams, removed all of the Evolution components, with the exception of the uprated intercooler, which was left in all 500 cars, and sold to the public as the first of the new uprated 240 Turbo intercooler cars, using the intercooler from the 1983 European 760T's intercooler. All but one of these cars (which was sent back to VMS) were then sold across the US as the first of 240 Turbo intercooler cars with the uprated intercoolers. So while there were no full Evolution cars sold to the public, the remaining 499 flat-nosed cars that were sold to the American public were unique, in as much as they were the only flat-nosed 240T intercooler cars ever imported into the US, and all carried the designation SO2476 on the chassis plate. All subsequent 1983 240 Turbo intercooler car had the projecting, so called coffin-nose and grille, but were fitted as standard with the uprated intercooler, which developed more power solely due to the efficiency of the 760's uprated intercooler. Not one of the 500 Evolution cars was ever used by the factory, or the factory-supported GpA 240T race cars, despite claims to the contrary, that 30 were sent back to VMS etc. All of the Factory cars were built up from the 1983 DL body shells because they had no sunroof and were built in Sweden, so they were readily available and relatively cheap. All were sold to Volvo of North America and approximately 30 were returned to Europe for racing; all of these cars had flat hoods not otherwise seen on North American 240s, as well as numerous and substantial performance and suspension upgrades ranging from larger radiators and intercoolers to water injection and large rear spoilers [36] Source: Göran Sallström; Project Engineer for Volvo Motor Sport
  • 240 SE (1991): Special alloy wheels, all-black grille and trim. Roof rails on wagon model.
  • Police (1981–85): A special edition 240 aimed at the Swedish police, but also made in right-hand-drive form and used by some British constabularies. It was effectively a 240GLT with vinyl, rather than cloth, trim, steel wheels and no sunroof.[37]
  • 240 (Super) Polar (1991–1992): European markets only; commonly found in Italy. Mostly with B200F engines.
  • 240 Classic (1992–93): European markets from the 1992 model year. For the North American market, only 1,600 were produced in April and May 1993, half wagons and half sedans. European Classics have fully equipped interior with wood dash trim and "Classic" badges on hatch/deck lid. In addition to the European equipment, the 1,600 North American Classics have body-matched painted grilles and side mirrors, special 14" alloy wheels, production-number plaque in dash, and special paint colors — ruby red or metallic dark teal green.
  • 240 GL (1992): North American market. Slightly different from the early 1975–1989 GL model, more like the 1993 Classic and the 1991 SE model. Only available in 244 sedan body style.
  • 240 Torslanda: These cars can be identified by Torslanda badging, tinted windows, plastic exterior trim, multi-spoke 15" alloy wheels, and full-length body striping above the rocker panels. the only features were heated front seats, power steering and the standard heating systems. The Torslanda was sold outside of Sweden as a limited run special edition to mark the rundown of 240 production. MYs 1992-93 only.
  • 240 family edition: Entry level cars for the German market from 1990 to 1993. Simplified interior with cloth upholstery (instead of tricot plush on "GL"-models). No heated front seats as standard but all equipped with headlamp wipers and fixed black roof rails. No sedans. Shipped with petrol-fired B230F engine or D24 diesel engine. All badged 240.
  • 240 Tack: Limited edition in 1992–93 to phase out the 240 series in Japan. Tricot plush trim, five body paintings to choose. Sedans and estates. All units with B230F engine. At the same time a more upmarket limited edition badged "Classic" was offered. Same five paintings as "Tack" available, but shipped with black leather upholstery, wood trim on the dash board and "Corona" alloy wheels. Also engine B230F. Sedans and estates as well.
  • 262C Solaire: A convertible version of the 262C. The building was ordered by Volvo Cars of North America and made by Solaire in California. Due to safety concerns only five cars were built.[38]

Anniversary special editions
European-spec 1977 Volvo 244 DL Anniversary edition
  • 244 DL Anniversary (1977): Volvo released this model to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Based on the 244DL, the anniversary car was finished in metallic silver with a black and gold band around the waistline. Around 50 were sold in ten different countries, taking the total number produced up to 500.
  • 264 Anniversary (1977) Volvo released this model to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary. Based on the 264, the anniversary car was finished in metallic silver with a black and gold band around the waistline. Numbers produced unknown.
  • 240 DL Jubileum (1987): Volvo released this model to celebrate its sixtieth anniversary. Like the fiftieth anniversary edition, it was based on the 240 DL series, only this time it was available as both a saloon and an estate.
  • 244 Thor (1979–80) Around 300 were produced for the UK market and this spec lay somewhere near the GLE spec. Noticeable extras fitted as standard were, metallic black paint, premium stereo, auto box, black cloth seats, front electric windows and corona alloy wheels and fuel injection. Noticeable exclusions for a limited edition premium model were, power steering, electric rear windows and air conditioning.

Concept models

Volvo produced a prototype for a hatchback version in 1975, badged the Volvo 263 GL, but it was not chosen for mass production and is now on display in the Volvo World Museum in Gothenburg, Sweden.[39]

Volvo also produced a prototype in 1978 called the 242 GTC Turbo, which had roof pillars similar to that of a 262 C, and a body design of a 242 GT. It also came with striping on the sides, close to the bottom of the car with the word turbo on it to make it seem lower than it actually was. It was originally planned to have two engine choices, a 16 valve I4 engine (made for racing), and a turbocharged version of the B21 Redblock I4 engine which was under construction.[40]

240 in motorsport
Volvo 240 Turbo at the Nürburgring 1985

Despite its non-sporting image, the Volvo 240 was a successful competitor in touring car racing in the 1980s. In 1983 Volvo produced 505 evolution version of the 240 Turbo with a larger turbocharger and other performance modifications. All of these special cars were exported to the United States with the special equipment kit in the trunk of each car. 270 of these cars were retrofitted with the special equipment at Long Beach and further 240s were simultaneously fitted with the same kit on the East Coast at the Volvo Penta facility at Chesapeake Bay. All 500, except for one car which was returned to Sweden, were subsequently stripped of their GpA homologation equipment and sold as standard road cars. This was allowed under the Group A regulations, the cars only having to have been made and not necessarily sold. Nevertheless, it did lead to protests from other teams, until Volvo was able to produce proof that the 500 cars had indeed been manufactured.[41]

Nevertheless, the 240 Turbo proved a successful competitor, and in 1984 won the Zolder round of the European Touring Car Championship. In Group A racing form, the 240T weighed 1,065 kg (2,348 lb), and its turbocharged 2.1 litre engine produced approximately 350 bhp (261 kW; 355 PS). Although it was a big car and lacked the agility of some of its competitors, and despite its boxy, un-aerodynamic appearance, it was fast in a straight line (approximately 260 km/h (162 mph) on faster circuits such as Monza, Hockenheim and Bathurst) and proved to be reliable. Volvo Motor Sport, VMS, did not run the cars directly, instead contracting the services of established teams to prepare and manage them, with technical assistance from VMS.

The Eggenberger Motorsport team was the most successful of these. Late in the 1984 European Touring Car Championship, Swedish team Sportpromotion won the EG Trophy race at Zolder circuit and followed that with second in the 500 km del Mugello. In 1985, Volvo signed Swiss engine guru Reudi Eggenberger to run its works team. Eggenberger Motorsport, with team drivers Gianfranco Brancatelli and Thomas Lindström, won the 1985 ETCC outright, seeing off challenges from BMW (Schnitzer), and defending ETCC champions TWR who were running the V8-engined Rover Vitesse rather than the V12 Jaguar XJS that had dominated 1984 after Jaguar had decided to concentrate on Sports Car racing.

Eggengerger moved to race Ford Sierras in 1986 and Volvo contraced Belgian based team RAS Sport to be its factory "works" team in the ETCC, with defending champion Lindström being joined by ex-Formula One and Grand Prix motorcycle racer Johnny Cecotto, as well as Ulf Granberg and Anders Olofsson in the second car. The team was competitive in 1986, taking wins at Hockenheim, Anderstorp, Brno, Österreichring and Zolder. However, the wins at Anderstorp and the Österreichring were taken away from the team due to illegal fuel. The disqualifications would see Lindström unable to defend his title, and Volvo AB quit GpA racing.

Around the world, other teams were also running the Volvo 240T with fair degrees of success. New Zealand business man and racer Mark Petch had purchased an ex GTM Team car directly from VMS 240T and with drivers Robbie Francevic and Michel Delcourt won the Wellington 500 street race in New Zealand in January 1985 after starting from the rear of the grid due to the car not arriving in time to qualify. MPM, Mark Petch Motorsport took the car to Australia with financial assistance from Volvo Australia. Francevic then went on to finish 5th in the 1985 Australian Touring Car Championship (the first ATCC to be run under Group A rules), taking out right wins at Symmons Plains and Oran Park. Thomas Lindström joined Francevic to drive in the 1986 Wellington 500 and brought with him from Europe the latest engine and suspension upgrades for the car. Petch with the help of Bob Atkins, head of The Australian Volvo Dealer Council, formed the AVDT, Australian Volvo Dealer Team who purchased Petch's car and spares immediately following MPM's second back to back win at the opening two round of the 1986 ATCC. The Volvo Dealer Team expanded to two cars, for the fourth round of the ATCC at Adelaide with the new car RHD car, ex RAS, being for dual Australian Single Seater Drivers' Champion John Bowe who had driven with Francevic at the 1985 Bathurst 1000. Francevic won the 1986 Australian Touring Car Championship the first and only time that the title had been won by a Volvo driver and the first time since its inception in 1960 that it had been won with a car powered by a turbocharged engine. Volvo GpA cars also won the Guia Race in Macau consecutively in 1985 and 1986. The Volvo 240 Turbo won the 24 Hours of Zolder in 1987 and 1990.

Volvo withdrew from the sport at the end of the 1986 season, partly because of the RAS team being found guilty of using non-approved race fuel, but primarily because the 240T had achieved what it set out to do. Volvo did not return to touring car racing until the advent of super touring racing in the early 1990s, with the 850 model.

The 240 also enjoyed some success in other branches of motorsport. Although Volvo had pulled out of rallying in the early 1970s, the 240 Turbo did see action as a Group A rally car in the mid-1980s, but without works backing it met with only limited success. The normally aspirated version remained eligible for international competition until 1996, and to this day the 240 remains a popular clubman's rally car in Scandinavia. Its popularity has in recent years been boosted with the establishment of the Volvo Original Cup, or VOC. This is a championship for amateur rally drivers using Volvo 240s, 740s and 940s. In the interests of cost control, only very limited modifications are allowed to the cars. The series attracts large numbers of competitors, attracted by its low cost and by the Volvo's rear-drive handling and reliability.

Because it is cheap and robust, the 240 has also become very common in folkrace competitions. In the UK the 240 is popular for banger racing, due to its strength. The Volvo 240 is now a common choice alongside Ford Granadas and Jaguars for using at unlimited banger meetings. In the United States, 240s regularly appear in low-budget endurance racing series such as 24 Hours of LeMons, where the 240 reliability, durability, and easy parts availability are appreciated.

Notes
  1. Volvo 262C only.
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