Swedish automaker Volvo has a well-deserved reputation for building safe, though not particularly exciting, vehicles. But there were exceptions, most notably performance-focused R models. These were Volvo's answer to European performance offerings like BMW's M series. The combo of practicality and performance is on full display with R variants of Volvo’s roomy wagons, such as the 1996 Volvo 850R recently sold on eBay.
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Easy Highway Miles
This 850R is a world tourer originally registered in Germany. It spent time in Kansas before ending up in Texas. The seller says the 259,000 miles on the odometer were mostly “easy highway miles.”
The wagon received excellent care over the years and shows like a car with fewer miles. Its odometer reading is reflected in the reasonable $10,000 Buy-It-Now price. Recent work and performance upgrades include:
- IPD front and rear sway bars
- New headliner
- Replacement OEM Volvo turbo - opens in new window or tab.
World’s Fastest Station Wagon
Volvo’s first R model was the 1995 T-5R wagon. Volvo planned a limited production run, but the first examples were a big success. Production continued, and the name was shortened to 850R for 1996. R models received numerous upgrades to the engine, suspension, and brakes, with many components not shared with the more pedestrian models.
The resulting performance earned the 850R the title of “World’s Fastest Station Wagon” by the pundits at the British TV show Top Gear - opens in new window or tab.. The exterior appearance, however, provides few visual clues of the performance within, making the 850R an ideal sleeper.
Help from Porsche
Porsche engineers helped tune the 850R for maximum performance. The 2.3-liter, five-cylinder turbocharged engine - opens in new window or tab. has a reprogrammed Bosch ECU - opens in new window or tab. not shared with other Volvo models. It provides a boost of 18 horsepower. Paired with a four-speed automatic transmission, the 850R generates 240 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. That’s enough to propel the wagon from zero to 60 mph in under seven seconds, according to period road tests. The governed top speed is 153 mph.
Porsche also helped with extensive suspension modifications, including stiffer shocks, larger anti-roll bars, and sticky Pirelli P Zero 205/45ZR-17 tires - opens in new window or tab. on 17-inch titanium gray alloy wheels. The changes turn the staid Volvo into a canyon carver, with buckets of grip and virtually no body lean in corners. The ride is sometimes described as stiff.
The example recently for sale on eBay has aged remarkably well. There are a few dings and scratches, but the red paint and tan leather interior show no damage. Still wearing its original R wheels, body cladding, and front and rear spoilers, this 850R beautifully hides its performance capabilities. And nobody has to know how little you paid for it.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.