Volvo 900 Series
Encyclopedia
The Volvo 900 series is a range of mid-size car
that were manufactured by Volvo Cars
from 1990 to 1998. The 900 series was introduced in 1990 to replace the 700 series
from which it derived.
The most visible differences between the 700 and the 900 series was the completely redesigned rear of the sedan 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 first augmented and finally supplanted by the Volvo 850
in 1993, with the last of the 900s being sold in 1998. Some 900 series were built as chassis for ambulances and hearses after the main production run had been completed.
This series, ending with the 940, S90 and V90 were the last of the rear wheel drive cars from Volvo.
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. 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 station wagon, 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 2-litre and 2.3-litre 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 sixteen valve versions of the gasoline engines, with a turbocharged version of the 2.0 16V available in some markets with tight tax limits, such as Italy, Belgium, and Portugal. An interesting version added somewhat later was a low-pressure turbocharged version of the B230 – max power was only up slightly, from 131 PS, 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 turbocharged 2.0 was first presented in February 1991, originally intended for Italy and other such markets it was later also installed in the British market 940 SE.
The SE badge was in fact 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-litre Turbo with some extras as standard aimed specifically at the company car market as 2-litre engines receive a tax benefit.
, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a DOHC 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine with a 6,000 rpm redline. The 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) 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.
In 1991, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114 bhp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was in actuality a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, while the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended on February 5, 1998.
The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminum 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, often referred to as "white block" in the Volvo community due to its bare aluminum block. Max power was 204 PS at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia
and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760. 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 and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or.
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. The US version of the 3-litre six was tuned for more torque and a less peaky power delivery, with 181 PS at 5,200 rpm and 270 newton metre at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267 newton metre at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).
For North America, the 1992–94 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.
. The most obvious changes were the more aerodynamic grille
, and body-coloured panels. A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170 PS or 180 PS for the B6244FS version.
Only the modular six-cylinder engines were available from model year 1995 on. Underneath, the front suspension was completely retooled to more closely match that of the 850. Indeed, 1995 to 1998 model year 960s may use the same wheels as 1994 and newer front-wheel drive Volvo models, except for the S40, V40 and 400 series. The rear suspension received a completely redesigned multi-link independent system. Instead of conventional coil springs, Volvo used a single transverse fibreglass leaf spring. The 1995 wagon marked the first time ever that Volvo equipped one of its rear-wheel drive station wagons with an independent rear suspension. Boge
's Nivomat
self-levelling rear suspension system became an option rather than standard equipment.
Trim levels were GLT and SE for Europe
an markets.
From 1996, Volvo renamed the 960 in select markets as Volvo S90 (sedan) and Volvo V90 (wagon) to match the letter-and-number naming scheme now used on their other models. This rebranding 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 did not coincide with any notable changes, except for small layout changes and an improved air conditioning system.
Production of the 960 and its S90 and V90 derivatives ended on 5 February 1998.
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)of the 3.0 L engine.
Mid-size car
A mid-size car is the North American/Australian standard for an automobile with a size equal to or greater than that of a compact...
that were manufactured by Volvo Cars
Volvo Cars
Volvo Car Corporation, or Volvo Personvagnar AB, is a Swedish automobile manufacturer founded in 1927, in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is owned by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group. Volvo was originally formed as a subsidiary company to the ball bearing maker SKF. When Volvo AB was introduced on the Swedish...
from 1990 to 1998. The 900 series was introduced in 1990 to replace the 700 series
Volvo 700 series
The 760 was Volvo's attempt to cement a place in the prestige market, after building a reputation for being solid and safe rather than out-and-out luxurious cars. Jan Wilsgaard, head of Volvo's Design and Styling team, proposed over 50 new designs for the new car. It was introduced to the US in...
from which it derived.
The most visible differences between the 700 and the 900 series was the completely redesigned rear of the sedan 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
Volvo Modular engine
The Volvo Modular engine is a family of straight-4, straight-5, and straight-6 automobile piston engine produced from the first year Volvo 960 appeared with the B6304F engine . It has an aluminium engine block and aluminium 4-valve DOHC cylinder heads and uses SFI fuel injection and has...
, and then was substantially revised for the 1995 model year, improving the handling. The range was first augmented and finally supplanted by the Volvo 850
Volvo 850
The Volvo 850 is a compact executive car produced by Volvo Cars from 1992 to 1997 and designed by Jan Wilsgaard. Available in sedan/saloon and station wagon/estate body styles, the Volvo 850 was notable as the first front-wheel drive vehicle from this Swedish manufacturer to be exported to North...
in 1993, with the last of the 900s being sold in 1998. Some 900 series were built as chassis for ambulances and hearses after the main production run had been completed.
This series, ending with the 940, S90 and V90 were the last of the rear wheel drive cars from Volvo.
Volvo 940
Introduced in September 1990, the 940 was essentially a cosmetic reskin of the 740. 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 station wagon, 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 2-litre and 2.3-litre 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 sixteen valve versions of the gasoline engines, with a turbocharged version of the 2.0 16V available in some markets with tight tax limits, such as Italy, Belgium, and Portugal. An interesting version added somewhat later was a low-pressure turbocharged version of the B230 – max power was only up slightly, from 131 PS, 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 turbocharged 2.0 was first presented in February 1991, originally intended for Italy and other such markets it was later also installed in the British market 940 SE.
The SE badge was in fact 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-litre Turbo with some extras as standard aimed specifically at the company car market as 2-litre engines receive a tax benefit.
North America
In the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the 1991 940 was offered in three versions: the 940GLE used a DOHC 16-valve version of the 2.3-litre engine with a 6,000 rpm redline. The 940 Turbo used a turbocharged 2.3-litre engine, and the top-end 940SE (turbo) 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.
In 1991, the 940 GLE was downgraded with a 114 bhp 2.3-litre 4-cylinder engine and sold as the 940 GL (or basic 940 in some export markets). The 940 SE was in actuality a 960 Turbo sold as the 940 SE, while the 940 Turbo remained largely unchanged. Production of the 940 series ended on February 5, 1998.
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.Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760. 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 and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or.
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. The US version of the 3-litre six was tuned for more torque and a less peaky power delivery, with 181 PS at 5,200 rpm and 270 newton metre at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267 newton metre at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).
For North America, the 1992–94 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 underwent a faceliftFacelift
Facelift is the common name for rhytidectomy, a cosmetic surgery procedure.Facelift may also refer to:* Facelift , the revival of a product through cosmetic means such as changing its appearance...
. The most obvious changes were the more aerodynamic grille
Grille
A grille or grill is an opening of several slits side by side in a wall or metal sheet or other barrier, usually to let air or water enter and/or leave but keep larger objects including people and animals in or out.-Spelling:In the United States, "grille" is used to differentiate the automotive...
, and body-coloured panels. A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170 PS or 180 PS for the B6244FS version.
Only the modular six-cylinder engines were available from model year 1995 on. Underneath, the front suspension was completely retooled to more closely match that of the 850. Indeed, 1995 to 1998 model year 960s may use the same wheels as 1994 and newer front-wheel drive Volvo models, except for the S40, V40 and 400 series. The rear suspension received a completely redesigned multi-link independent system. Instead of conventional coil springs, Volvo used a single transverse fibreglass leaf spring. The 1995 wagon marked the first time ever that Volvo equipped one of its rear-wheel drive station wagons with an independent rear suspension. Boge
Bogë
Bogë is a small mountainous village and also a holiday resort village in western Kosovo. Bogë is located in the Prokletije mountain range on an altitude of about 1,300m - 1,400m. Closeby the village is located the peak of Hajla at 2,403m and the Pećka Bistrica which has its source not far from the...
's Nivomat
Nivomat
Nivomat is the name for a vehicle suspension technology created by Mannesmann-Sachs. Compared to the common use of springs, struts, and shock absorbers in a car suspension, Nivomat replaces all of these components with a single unit per wheel which provides damping, ride control, and a...
self-levelling rear suspension system became an option rather than standard equipment.
Trim levels were GLT and SE for Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an markets.
From 1996, Volvo renamed the 960 in select markets as Volvo S90 (sedan) and Volvo V90 (wagon) to match the letter-and-number naming scheme now used on their other models. This rebranding 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 did not coincide with any notable changes, except for small layout changes and an improved air conditioning system.
Production of the 960 and its S90 and V90 derivatives ended on 5 February 1998.
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)of the 3.0 L engine.
Engines
These engines were offered in the 900 series vehicles over the years:- B200E: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic 115 hp
- B200F: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 111 hp
- B200K: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, RenixRenixRenix made automobile electronic ignitions, fuel injection systems, electronic automatic transmission controls, and various engine sensors.The term Renix also has a number of applications...
ignition, 200K had standard head unlike 230K - B200ET: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch MotronicMotronicMotronic is the trade name given to a range of digital engine-management systems developed by Robert Bosch GmbH, commonly known as Bosch.-Motronic ML1.x:Motronic ML1.x was one of the first digital engine-management systems developed by Bosch...
engine management (155 hp) - B200FT: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch LH-Jetronic 156 hp
- 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, BoschRobert Bosch GmbHRobert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
K-Jetronic fuel injectionFuel injectionFuel injection is a system for admitting fuel into an internal combustion engine. It has become the primary fuel delivery system used in automotive petrol engines, having almost completely replaced carburetors in the late 1980s.... - B230F: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, 114 hp
- B230K: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, RenixRenixRenix made automobile electronic ignitions, fuel injection systems, electronic automatic transmission controls, and various engine sensors.The term Renix also has a number of applications...
ignition, Heron headHeron cylinder headA Heron cylinder head or simply Heron head, is a design for the combustion chambers of the cylinder head on an internal combustion piston engine. The head is machined flat, with recesses only for inlet and exhaust valves, spark plugs, injectors and so on. The combustion chamber itself is contained...
(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-)
- B230FT: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, 162 hp
- B234F: 2.3 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated, 153 hp
- B230FB: 2.3 L inline-4. naturally aspirated.
- B280EPRV engineThe PRV engine is an automobile petrol V6 engine that was developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo Cars – and sold from 1974 to 1998. It was gradually replaced after 1994 by another joint PSA-Renault design, known as the ES engine at PSA and the L engine at Renault.-Corporate history:The...
: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2, 154 hp Nordic or 168 hp European version even fire crankshaft - B280FPRV engineThe PRV engine is an automobile petrol V6 engine that was developed jointly by Peugeot, Renault and Volvo Cars – and sold from 1974 to 1998. It was gradually replaced after 1994 by another joint PSA-Renault design, known as the ES engine at PSA and the L engine at Renault.-Corporate history:The...
: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 147 hp, even fire crankshaft - D24Volkswagen D24 engineThe Volkswagen D24 engine is a 2.4 litre inline-six cylinder , naturally aspirated diesel engine, formerly manufactured by Volkswagen Group from 1978 to 1995....
: 2.4 L inline-6 dieselDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, naturally aspirated (Volkswagen) - D24T: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodieselDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, 107 hp, variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by VolkswagenVolkswagenVolkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
. - D24TIC: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodieselDiesel engineA diesel engine is an internal combustion engine that uses the heat of compression to initiate ignition to burn the fuel, which is injected into the combustion chamber...
, intercooled, 124 hp, variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by VolkswagenVolkswagenVolkswagen is a German automobile manufacturer and is the original and biggest-selling marque of the Volkswagen Group, which now also owns the Audi, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, SEAT, and Škoda marques and the truck manufacturer Scania.Volkswagen means "people's car" in German, where it is...
. - B6244/B6254: 2.5 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated
- B6304: 2.9 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated
Transmissions
Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year/model/engine combinations including the:- M46 manual transmissionManual transmissionA manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
(4-speed + Laycock de Normanville overdrive) - M47 manual transmission (5-speed)
- M90 manual transmission (5-speed)
- AW30-40 electronically controlled automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(4-speed, lockup torque converter) - AW70/AW70L automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(3-speed + overdrive, lockup torque converter on some models) - AW71 automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(3-speed + overdrive) - AW72L automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(4-speed, lockup torque converter) - ZF4HP22 automatic transmissionAutomatic transmissionAn automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
(4-speed, lockup torque converter)
Suspension and axle
There were also different suspension combinations depending on the model chosen:- 1030: Standard rear axle
- 1031: Heavy-duty version of the 1030
- 1041: Rear axle with Eaton locking mechanism