Volvo 850

The Volvo 850 is a mid-size luxury car, that would also be considered a compact executive car. The Volvo 850 was introduced worldwide as a 1992 model, except for the U.S. where it arrived in the 1993 model year. It was sold as a sedan, with a wagon model on sale from 1994. The 850 was the first model in the U.S. to feature front-wheel drive and an all-aluminum 20-valve five-cylinder engine. The 850 was Volvo’s top-seller in the mid-1990s. In markets outside the U.S. a 10-valve variant of the five-cylinder was popular for its lower cost and better fuel economy. The 850 Turbo Wagon is one of the fastest production station wagons in the world, capable of 250+ km/h (160+ mph) when ungoverned. Production models of the wagon and sedan are electronically governed to approximately 142 mph (229 km/h). In 1996 a Platinum edition of the 850 Turbo was available. The exterior paint for these models came in a metallic pearl platinum-color. The interior was fitted with leather seats and burled walnut accents. Only 120 sedans and 80 wagons were produced for the U.S. market.