All About Volvo R Cars
Through the years, car manufacturers have been developing high performance classic cars for sale to add to their lineup. These are given different badges to indicate that these are designed for high speeds and can even perform well on race tracks. Volvo is one of these car makers which offer a high performance version of their standard models. In Volvo’s case, they assigned an R for these high performance track and road cars. Sadly though, Volvo announced that they will no longer be producing these astounding R cars.
Volvo’s stint in the high performance specially-badged vehicle market started in 1995 and that has been12 years ago. The R first came into being with the 850 T-5R. Just like any Volvo during that time, the first R car is boxy but it offers a high power output thus making it faster than any Volvo during that time. The first R car provides a high performance that Volvo even entered the 850 T-5R in the British Touring Car Championship. While the said R car did not achieve to get the championship at the BTCC, it marks the start of Volvo’s reputation of being capable of producing track-worthy vehicles.
In 1998, the Volvo S40 R driven by Rickard Rydell won the cup cementing Volvo’s car name as one of Europe’s top car brands.
But before the S40 R’s win, the 850 R came into being. It followed the 850 T-5R as the second Volvo R car. The 850 R is made more aerodynamic than its predecessor and was made even faster. Other models which have been offered with the R badge include the Volvo S60 and the Volvo V70.
While the engines of these vehicles are smaller than the competition, Volvo made use of turbocharging to increase the power output of their R cars. For example, the current S60 and the V70 are equipped with smaller engines compared to BMW’s M3 or Audi’s car but with the high-pressure turbocharger it is equipped with produces 300 horsepower. While these R cars from Volvo offer high performance, they also give comfort to consumers. The comfortable seats can keep a passenger relaxed even on extended trips.
