VOLVO 940 2.3 8v Red Block (1992) | a big, SAFE BRICK from SWEDEN | #30

The Volvo 900 series is a refreshed edition of the 700 series that was introduced in 1984. Volvo might have not make it till the 80’s without the success of this model. The 200 series did not come up to expectations regarding the reliability. After the oil crisis of the 70s costumers decided more frequent to exchange their big cars to smaller city cars that offered a better fuel economy.
To stay on the market Volvo had to act fast! They launched the 700 series project to create a bit more fuel effective cars, that will be easier to drive. The key elements were supposed to stay: rear wheel drive and dimensions of the 200 series. However for better handling a subframe was added to make the rear suspension more predictable and silent. Despite the boxy shape it was possible to reduce the air resistance to 0.4.
The prototypes were thoroughly tested not only in arctic colds of northern Sweden’s but also in heats of Australian deserts and presented to the audience in Germany and USA to collect costumer impressions about the future car.
Volvo 700 was a success especially in the USA where boxy design was not that uncommon. In 1991 a new 900 series, that didn’t differ much, was introduced. This range of cars stayed in production till 1998…

The engine in this particular car is the 2.3 litters, 4 cylinder red block (the engine block’s were painted red in the factory) that generates up to 130 horse power. This car is like traveling back to 1970’s: the engine is maybe not one of the fastest but it gives a constant amount of power by acceleration. The noise becomes a constant and beautiful ham after the engine reaches 2000 rpm. The back suspension may surprise a modern driver. The rear rigid axle gives the impression of towing an empty trailer when the road gets bumpy (pay attention!). What also surprises is how good this car is turning. It gives the impression that it’s much shorter then in reality.