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Volvo 960 Estate/Wagon. 1990-1997

History of the Volvo Car

Volvo 960 Estate

The Volvo 960 was launched in autumn 1990, when Volvo unveiled its new cars for the 1991 model year. The 960 replaced the outgoing Volvo 760.

The Volvo 760 was powered by an all-new in-line 6-cylinder engine, an advanced power unit featuring an aluminium cylinder block and double overhead camshafts allied to 4 valves per cylinder. This engine represented the first stage in an entirely new generation of in-line engines which eventually developed into a new series of 5-cylinder and 4-cylinder units.

The Volvo 960 also unveiled a number of new safety features, among them a three-point inertia-reel seat belt and adjustable head restraint in the middle of the rear seat. Volvo was the first car manufacturer in the world to offer these features.

An integrated child seat built into the rear seat's middle armrest could be specified as an option, further enhancing the new car's safety levels.

These and other safety developments gained the model considerable international accolade, not least among them the "Prince Michael Road Safety Award" and the "Autocar & Motor" prize for the best safety features.

The 1995 model year saw the 960 undergo a comprehensive redesign. The front was facelifted, the chassis under the skin was almost totally new, and a new 2.5 litre 6-cylinder engine supplemented the previous 3-litre version.

Another new feature for the 1995 model year was that the 960 estate inherited the latest generation of advanced multilink rear suspension from the sedan.

The end for the Volvo 960 Estate came in model year 1997, when the replacement Volvo V90 was introduced.

Technical facts:
Prod. years: 1990 - 1997
Prod. volume: 41619
Body style: 5-door estate car
Engine: 6-cylinder in-line DOHC unit, 2,473 cc or 2,922 cc
Transmission: 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic
Brakes: Hydraulic, all-round disc brakes
Dimensions: Overall length 484.5 cm/190.7" Wheelbase 277 cm/109"

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