Volvo 900 Series

The Volvo 900 Series is a range of executive cars produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1990[4] to 1998.[4] 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.

Volvo 900
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1990–1998 produced 632,710[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E) Full-size car (S90 Royal)
Layout	Longitudinal FR layout[2]
Platform	P90[3]
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo 700 Series
Successor	Volvo V70 (Estate) Volvo S80 (Sedan)

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.

Volvo 940

Volvo 940
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	September 1990–5 February 1998[5]
Assembly	Sweden: Kalmar (VKA) Torslanda (Torslandaverken) Belgium: Ghent Canada: Halifax (VHA) Thailand: Samutprakarn (TSA) Indonesia
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 L B200E/F/K I4 2.0 L B204E/F DOHC I4 2.0 L B200ET/FT turbo I4 2.0 L B204FT/GT turbo DOHC I4 2.3 L B230E/F I4 2.3 L B234F DOHC I4 2.3 L B230ET/FK/FT turbo I4 2.4 L Volkswagen D24 diesel I6 2.4 L Volkswagen D24T/TIC TD I6
Transmission	4-speed automatic 4-speed w/electric overdrive manual 5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,771 mm (109.1 in)
Length	saloon: 4,869 mm (191.7 in) estate: 4,869 mm (191.7 in)
Width	1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	saloon: 1,410 mm (55.5 in) estate: 1,435 mm (56.5 in)
Curb weight	saloon: 1,445–1,485 kg (3,186–3,274 lb) estate: 1,481–1,520 kg (3,265–3,351 lb)[6]

Volvo 940; European spec. front

Volvo 940; US spec. front

Volvo 940 Sedan - rear

Volvo 940 Estate - rear

Volvo 940 Hearse - rear

The Volvo 940 is among the last in the long-running line of large rear-wheel drive cars from Volvo.

Introduced in September 1990, the 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskin of the 740.[7] 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 the same dashboard, 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 estate, introduced in May 1991, was even harder to tell apart from its 745 predecessor.

The engines remained largely the same as for 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 a few early models (B204, B234, naturally aspirated). In 1994, gasoline engine range was limited to 2.3 engines, but the 2.0 turbocharged remained available in some markets with tight tax limits, such as Italy, Belgium, and Portugal. An interesting version added in 1994 was a low-pressure turbocharged version of the B230 – maximum power was only up slightly, from 131 to 135 PS (96 to 99 kW), but torque increased throughout the range and the car suffered from virtually no turbo lag because of the small size of the charger. The 155 PS (114 kW) turbocharged 2.0 was first presented in February 1991,[7] originally intended for Italy and other such markets it was later also installed in the British market 940 SE. Eventually, the most commonly found engines on 940's were the naturally aspirated B230FB/131PS (all markets but US), B230FD/115PS (mainly for the US market), the turbocharged B230FK/135PS, B230FT/165PS, B200FT/155PS (for some markets) and the D24TIC/122PS diesel engine.

Engines were fitted with either a 5-speed or 4-speed+overdrive manual gearbox M46/M47 or an automatic transmission, either Aisin-Warner AW10/71/72 (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 badge was one of the more confusing badges. In the US, the 940 SE was in fact a 960 Turbo 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. 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, the 940 SE was a 2.3-litre Turbo B230FT with some extras as standard. In Thailand the 940 SE was a Turbo (LPT) model with leather seats, ABS brakes and SRS Airbag.

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) had a well equipped special series badged "Classic". Production of the 940 series extended from 1990 to 5 February 1998.

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 the 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 114 bhp 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
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Also called	Volvo S90 Volvo V90
Production	1990–1998
Assembly	Sweden: Kalmar (VKA) Sweden: Gothenburg
Body and chassis
Body style	4-door saloon 5-door estate
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	petrol: 2.0 L B204E/F 16V I4 2.0 L B204FT/GT 16V turbo I4 2.3 L B230FT turbo I4 2.5 L B6244/6254 I6 2.8 L PRV B280E/F V6 2.9 L B6304 I6 diesel: 2.4 L Volkswagen D24TIC td I6
Transmission	4-speed Aisin AW30-43 automatic 5-speed Volvo M90 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,771 mm (109.1 in) 2,921 mm (115 in) (Executive)
Length	saloon (Executive): 5,020 mm (197.6 in) 1992–1994 saloon: 4,869 mm (191.7 in) 1992–1994 estate: 4,808 mm (189.3 in) 1995–1998 saloon: 4,872 mm (191.8 in) 1995–1998 estate: 4,862 mm (191.4 in)
Width	1995–1997 saloon: 1,750 mm (68.9 in) 1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height	1992–1994 saloon: 1,410 mm (55.5 in) 1992–1994 estate: 1,435 mm (56.5 in) 1995–1998 saloon: 1,438 mm (56.6 in) 1995–1998 estate: 1,463 mm (57.6 in)
Curb weight	saloon: 1,560–1,604 kg (3,439–3,536 lb) estate: 1,602–1,629 kg (3,532–3,591 lb)[8]

1990–1994

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.

Volvo 960 estate (US)

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 204 PS (150 kW) at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS or 107 kW at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760.[9] 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 165 PS (121 kW), and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or 122 PS (85 or 90 kW).[10]

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 181 PS (133 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 270 N⋅m (199 lb⋅ft) at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267 N⋅m or 197 lb⋅ft at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).[11]

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.[11] A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170 or 163 PS (125 or 120 kW) for the B6244FS version.

Volvo 960 saloon

Volvo 960 estate (US)

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.[12] 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 (180 PS or 132 kW) of the 3.0 L engine.

Production of the 960 and its S90 and V90 derivatives ended on 5 February 1998.

The S90/V90 nameplate returned to use when Volvo introduced its flagship model in 2016.[13]

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 configuration	Comment
940	B200E	1991	115 PS (85 kW) at 5700	158 Nm at 4800	1986 cc	I4	940
940GL/GLE	B200F	1991–1995	111 PS (82 kW) at 5700	158 N⋅m (117 lb⋅ft) at 2800	1,986 cc (121.2 in^3)	I4	940
X	B200G	1992–1994	111 PS (82 kW) at 5700	155 N⋅m (114 lb⋅ft) at 2800	1986 cc	I4	940
X	B200GT	1992–1998	155 hp (114 kW) at 5600	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 3600	1986 cc	I4	940
940 2.0 8V Turbo	B200FT	1991–1998	155 PS (114 kW) at 5600	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 3600	1,986 cc (121.2 in^3)	I4	940
940 2.0 16V	B204E	1991	139 hp (102 kW) at 6000	181 N⋅m (133 lb⋅ft) at 4800	1986 cc	I4	940
960 2.0 16V Turbo	B204FT	1991–1994	190 PS (140 kW) at 5300	280 N⋅m (210 lb⋅ft) at 2950	1,986 cc (121.2 in^3)	I4	960
740 2.0 16V Turbo	B204GT	1991–1994	200 PS (147 kW) at 5300	290 N⋅m (214 lb⋅ft) at 2950	1,986 cc (121.2 in^3)	I4	740
X	B230E	1991	131 hp (96 kW)	190 Nm at 3300	2,316 cc	I4	940
940GLE	B230F[14]	1991–1994	116 hp (87 kW) at 5400	182 N⋅m (134 lb⋅ft) at 2500	2,316 cc (141.3 in^3)	I4	940
940GL/GLE	B230FB	1991–1995	131 PS (96 kW)at 5500	185 N⋅m (136 lb⋅ft) at 2950	2,316 cc (141.3 in^3)	I4	940
940	B230FD	1993-1994	116 hp (85 kW) at 4900	182 N⋅m (134 lb⋅ft) at 2500	2316 cc	l4	940 California Emissions Spec
940 Turbo/940SE (US)/960 2.3 Turbo	B230FT[14]	1991–1998	165 PS (121 kW) at 4800	264 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 3450	2,316 cc (141.3 in^3)	I4	940/960 960 (–1992)
940SE (Thailand) 940 Polar (LPT)	B230FK	1995–1998	135 PS (99 kW) at 4900	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 2300	2,316 cc (141.3 in^3)	I4	940
940	B230G	1992–1995	116 PS (85 kW) at 5500	185 N⋅m (136 lb⋅ft) at 2950	2316 cc	I4	940 (US, some others)
940/960	B230GT	1991–1994	170 PS (125 kW) at 4800	265 N⋅m (195 lb⋅ft) at 3450	2,316 cc	I4	940/960
X	B230GK	1995–1998	135 PS (99 kW) at 4900	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 2300	2,316 cc	I4	940
940GLT 2.3 16V	B234F	1991–1992	155 PS (114 kW) at 5600	204 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) at 4800	2,316 cc (141.3 in^3)	I4	940
X	B234G	1991–1992	155 PS (114 kW) at 5600	204 N⋅m (150 lb⋅ft) at 4800	2316 cc	I4	940
960	B280E[15]	1991–1992	154 PS (113 kW) Nordic version 170 PS (125kW) European version at 5400	240 Nm at 4500	2849 cc	V6	960
960	B280F[15]	1991–1992	147 PS (108 kW) at 5100	235 N⋅m (173 lb⋅ft) at 3750	2849 cc	V6	960
S90	B6244F	1995-	163 PS (120 kW) at 5800	220 N⋅m (160 lb⋅ft) at 4400			Asian market
960 2.5 24V	B6254FS[16]	1994–1997	170 PS (125 kW) at 5700	230 N⋅m (170 lb⋅ft) at 4400	2,473 cc (150.9 in^3)	I6	960
X	B6254GS	1996	n/a	n/a	n/a	I6	960 S90/V90
960	B6034G	1996-	204 PS (150 kW) at 6000	267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) at 4300	2922 cc	l6	960
960	B6304S	1992–1997	204 PS (150 kW) at 6000	267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) at 4300	2922 cc	I6	960 S90/V90
S90/V90 3.0 24V	B6304S2	1997-1998	180 PS (132 kW) at 5200	274 N⋅m (202 lb⋅ft) at 4100	2,922 cc (178.3 in^3)	I6	S90/V90
960/S90/V90 3.0 24V	B6304F[17] B6304FS[16][18]	1991–1997	204 PS (150 kW) at 6000	267 N⋅m (197 lb⋅ft) at 4300	2,922 cc (178.3 in^3)	I6	960 S90/V90
X	B6304FS2	1997–1998	180hp (132kW) at 5200	267Nm at 4000	2,922 cc (1783.3	I6	960 S90/V90

Diesel engines

Model	Engine code	Year(s)	Power at rpm	Torque at rpm	Displacement	Engine configuration	Comment
diesel	D24[19]	1992–1993	82 PS (60 kW) at 4700	145 N⋅m (107 lb⋅ft) at 2000	2,383 cc (145.4 in^3)	I6	940
turbodiesel	D24T[19]	1991–1993	112 PS (82 kW) at 4800 109 PS (80 kW) with EGR	205 N⋅m (151 lb⋅ft) at 2500 190 N⋅m (140 lb⋅ft) at 2400 with EGR	2,383 cc (145.4 in^3)	I6	940
turbodiesel intercooler	D24TIC[19][20]	1991–1996	116–122 PS (85–90 kW) at 4800	225–240 N⋅m (166–177 lb⋅ft) at 2400-2500	2,383 cc (145.4 in^3)	I6	940 960 (–1994)

• B200E: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic 115 PS (85 kW)
• B200F: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 111 PS (82 kW)
• B200K: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Renix ignition, 200K had standard head unlike 230K
• B200ET: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic engine management (155 PS)[21]
• B200FT: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch LH-Jetronic 156 PS (115 kW)
• B204E: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated
• B204F: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated and catalyzed
• B204FT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged
• B204GT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged
• B230E: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection
• B230F: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, 114 hp
• B230K: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Renix ignition, Heron head (introduced for the '85 model year)
• B230ET: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic (introduced in the '85 model year)
• B230FK: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Low Pressure Turbo ('95— ), 135 hp
• B230FT: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, 165 hp
• B234F: 2.3 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated, 155 hp
• B230FB: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated
• B280E: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2, 154 PS (113 kW) Nordic or 168 hp (125 kW) European version even fire crankshaft
• B280F: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 147 hp (110 kW), even fire crankshaft
• D24: 2.4 L inline-6 diesel, 82 hp (61 kW), naturally aspirated (Volkswagen)
• D24T: 2.4 L inline-6, turbo diesel, 109 hp (81 kW), variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by Volkswagen
• D24TIC: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodiesel, intercooled, 122 hp (91 kW), variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by Volkswagen
• B6244/B6254: 2.4/2.5 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated
• B6304: 2.9 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated

[22]

Transmissions

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

• M46 manual transmission (4-speed + Laycock de Normanville overdrive)
• M47 manual transmission (5-speed)
• M90 manual transmission (5-speed)
• AW30-40 electronically controlled automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)
• AW70/AW70L automatic transmission (3-speed + overdrive, lockup torque converter on some models)
• AW71 automatic transmission (3-speed + overdrive)
• AW72L automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)
• ZF 4HP22 automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)

References

1. https://www.volvoclub.org.uk/history/900_stats_search.shtml
2. "1991-98 Volvo 940/960/S90/V90". July 28, 2014.
3. "Tjugo år sedan den sista Volvo 940 tillverkades" [Twenty years since the last 940 was manufactured]. www.klassiker.nu (in Swedish). 5 February 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-02-10. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
4. Volvo Car Corporation (8 January 2000). "1990-1999: A historical review". www.media.volvocars.com. Retrieved 2017-10-15.
5. "940 Estate". www.volvocars.com/intl. Volvo Car Corporation. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
6. "1995 Volvo 940 owner's manual". Volvo Car Corporation. 1994. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
7. Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1992. pp. 1169–1172.
8. "1998 Volvo S90 owner's manual". new.volvocars.com. Volvo Car Corporation. 1997. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
9. "Exchange: Volvo 960 Basegrade". Goo-net. Archived from the original on 2011-07-11. Retrieved 2010-12-03.
10. Quattroruote: Tutte le Auto del Mondo 1992 (in Italian). Milano: Editoriale Domus S.p.A. 1992. pp. 1173–1174.
11. "Press launch information pack – Volvo 960 1995" (PDF). Volvo Car UK Ltd. June 1994. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
12. David Bak (7 October 1996). "Quality takes center stage in '97". Archived from the original on 2006-02-16. Retrieved 2019-02-07.
13. Jim Holder (14 April 2015). "2016 Volvo S90 to rival Jaguar XF". Autocar. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
14. "1993 Volvo 940 owner's manual". new.volvocars.com. Volvo Car Corporation. 1992. Retrieved 2018-02-11.
15. "Volvo 960 Battery with mounting parts B280E, B280F". Volvo Car Corporation.
16. "Volvo 960 Press Kit" (PDF). Volvo Car UK Ltd. July 1995. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
17. "Press kit" (PDF). www.volvoclub.org.uk.
18. "Technical Info".
19. "Tech data" (PDF). www.volvoclub.org.uk.
20. "Volvo 940 960 buyers guide".
21. Björn-Eric Lindh (1986). Volvo: The Cars – From the 20s to the 80s (2nd English ed.). Malmö, Sweden: Förlagshuset Norden. p. 214. ISBN 91-86442-14-7.
22. Jim White; Gavin Green (10 June 1995). "Road Test: Volvo 940". Independent. Retrieved 2018-02-11.

External links

• Volvo Cars Heritage