The history of the Volvo R (and a bit on the Polestar too)

"44444444444" (00000000000000001) 02/08/2015 at 16:47 • Filed to: volvo, wagon, s60r, v70r, polestar

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Freakin’ Kinja keeps breaking my formatting.

In order to understand what the hell an R is we have to go back in time to 1995... Clinton was president, AOL was all the rage, and Volvo was winding down production of its 4 cylinder cars.

In 1995 Volvo released the first in a series of performance cars that spanned three generations and a decade. The 850 T5-R was the first Volvo that could really be considered to be performance oriented. Volvo slapped a bigger turbo on it, cleaned it up, and give it a few aerodynamic and styling cues. The 850 T5-R would go from 0-60 in 5.8-6 seconds depending on transmission. Offered with stunning 5 spoke wheels (later updated for the P2R) that were the only giveaway to what lay under the hood. It epitomizes the word ‘Sleeper’.

In 1998 when Volvo refreshed the basic 850 in the V70 performance packages came with it. From 1998-2000 Volvo produced 3 different V70R variants.

Phase 1: 1998 V70R AWD with a 240bhp engine and 4 speed mode selectable auto in the USA, manual available elsewhere. 0-60 in 6.4 seconds with AWD and a manual, 7.2 AWD with the 4 speed that came to America.

Phase 2: 1999 V70R AWD with a 247bhp engine, same 4 speed auto however, the TCM was changed to be adaptive. No manual available. 0-60 in 7.3 seconds

Phase 3 2000 V70R AWD 265bhp, 5 speed auto, dual exhausts (the first in a factory Volvo), and bigger brakes. 0-60 in 6.3 seconds.

Each of these R cars steps forward in performance and culminates in the 2000 R. While the cars have a drawback—rudimentary AWD, and the 2000 car has a fatal flaw, the transmission, it nonetheless advances technology and performance forwards.

In 2001 Volvo introduced what was to be a platform that would come to have some serious teething issues especially with the AWD cars. These issues alienated much of Volvo’s legacy user base used to bulletproof reliable cars. Most of the issues stemmed from the fact that Volvo had used the same defective 5 speed auto as the 2000R in every car, and every 1999-2001 car suffered from a poorly designed electronic throttle body failing prematurely. Volvo had sorted the transmission and ETM by around MY 2003.

The P2 platform was a step forward in safety, design, and brough Volvo out of the box+wheels+turbo design philosophy that had been its mainstay for 30 years. 15 years later the P2 cars still look modern, a feat very few cars accomplish even 5 years later.

In 2004 Volvo reintroduced the R cars again. The S60R sedan and V70R wagon both came equipped with 300hp 5 cylinder engines, haldex electro hydraulic all wheel drive (a quantum leap compared to the viscous coupling on every pre 2004 Volvo), the choice of a 5 speed auto, or 6 speed manual, active suspension, self leveling headlights, massive Brembo brakes, and an R specific leather interior in 1 of 3 unique colors (Nordkap blue, Gobi, or ‘baseball glove’ Atacama).

However, the P2R isn’t just good looking, it also performs well. Volvo intended it to compete with the similarly priced (mid 40k) BMW M3, Audi S4 sedan and Audi S4 Avant wagon. The V70R can compete with the S4 Avant but the S60R can’t hold its own against an M3 (well maybe in the rain on super curvy roads it can but not really as an S4 will beat it). (That’s why you should get a V70R not an S60R you have fewer cars that are better than you)

With a 0-60 time of about 5.6 seconds for the manual V70R wagon and 5.2 seconds for the manual S60R sedan they’re pretty quick for cars weighing 3800lbs and 3300lbs respectively. The automatic times are about a second more in 2004 and 2005 because the 5 speed was torque limited in 1st and 2nd. Volvo swapped the auto transmission in 2006 for a 6 speed AW21 that Volvo still uses today sadly.

The R cars only have 3 weak points... the coupling in the front differential that sends power rear can’t handle the torque of the car, the struts are poorly programmed and leak and the valve body of the early 6 speed autos is prone to failure. (Volvo cannot introduce a new automatic transmission and have it work apparently). Production of the S60R and V70R ended in 2007 with the retirement of the P2 platform (P2 S60 production continued for 2 more years).

In 2008 or so Volvo rebranded R to R Design and annoyed the living shit out of every R owner as now every Volvo could be an R (Design). The R Design tag is equivalent to the S-Line tag Audi has—it means nicer seats and that’s it. Given that they already confused people with the R Design brand when Volvo wanted to bring another performance car back they branded it “Polestar”. Polestar is Volvo’s racing branch— a nascent ///M, RS, or AMG if you will.

The first Polestar car was the C30 it only made 250hp with a variant of the 5T in the R, also it was FWD only (WTF Volvo!).

In 2014 Volvo decided to introduce Polestar versions of the S60 and V60 (what replaced the V70 wagon, the XC70 still exists but it’s based on the S80 not S60). The Polestar cars have a T6 engine making 350hp and 369 ft-lb of torque, same 6 speed transmission as the ‘06+ Rs, manually adjustable Ohlins dampers (the same company that designed the electronic struts on the R), 6 piston calipers on the front, Haldex Gen IV (more instanter power to the rear), and a bunch of interior upgrades similar to the P2R. However, the Polestar also has a pricetag slightly north of $60,000, quite the bit of coin for brakes, a turbo, dampers and an ECU tune. A fully optioned S4 platinum with electronic suspension, a dual clutch (or a manual) goes for $65,000 Remember, the maxed out P2R cost around $45,000 ten years ago about the same as an S4.

For me this begs the question of why don’t the Polestar cars have a manual or a dual clutch? It isn’t that Volvo doesn’t have both (they do). Hell, Volvo has had a dual clutch since 2008 with Ford’s PowerShift and they have had a bolt on 6 speed manual for a decade with the M66 from the R, C30, and V50. In 2015 a 10 year old torque converter based automatic isn’t acceptable for a $60k+ sportscar. Additionally, 350hp isn’t nearly enough either! Give us the 450hp T5 from the true Polestar C30 T5 AWD or the 508hp T6 from the Polestar S60 Concept then go charge $70k. However, that won’t happen as the 508hp Polestar car is about $150,000.

What have we learned today? Absolutely nothing! I had originally titled this “Why the Volvo Polestar cars don’t live up to the R legacy” but I dunno they kinda do... Just not in performance or price competitiveness with an Audi S4. However, if you want a fast wagon in America you have 2 options—a Polestar V60 or Mercedes Benz E63AMG (which is $40k more expensive.) So buy the damn wagon, if you want a fast AWD sedan get an Audi.

bob and john > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 16:56

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hey, my name is peter too...and I'm an engineering student...and I love wagons. and 5 cylinders.

I dont have any volvos ATM. nor pilots permit. but i do have my motorcycle shit.

ehh, close enough.

Jobjoris > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 17:01

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It epitomizes the word 'Sleeper'.

Totally right. And after the word 'Sleeper' you display one of the most screaming Volvo's ever in that 'Cream Yellow' ;-)

44444444444 > Jobjoris 02/08/2015 at 17:11

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Only if people actually know what it is...

44444444444 > bob and john 02/08/2015 at 17:17

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You mean within the margin of error.

bob and john > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 17:19

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yea, lets roll with that

505Turbeaux > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 17:56

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it didnt start in 95 though, earlier...

AM3R shamefully returns > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 19:14

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I'm fascinated, and disappointed with Volvo on that auto transmission business.

44444444444 > AM3R shamefully returns 02/08/2015 at 19:19

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It's Aisin Warner and Volvos fault. Volvos TCM software made the transmissions eat themselves in drive and Aisin Warner built them with shitty valve bodies.

Autofixation > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 21:27

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Thank your for the lesson! I once walked my girlfriend across a parking lot to show her a V70R all giddy and excited. I started listing off specs and telling her how practical it would be. She couldn't understand why I wanted an old man's box of a car….

I am glad you are a fellow wagon aficionado. Sedans will never make sense to me. Such a wasted of space.

And my name's Peter.

twochevrons > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 22:01

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Awesome article! It's nice to know that somebody else is passionate about these remarkable Swedish hoonmobiles. I'm a former engineering student myself (dropped out, now back in college for computer science) and 'one-day' aspiring pilot (a family member owns a light aircraft and I've been itching to learn to fly once I have the time and money).

Here's a few more details on the 850 era R models:

The 850 T5-R was a one-year-only model, produced in limited numbers and designed with input from Porsche, who had assisted Volvo in the development of the "whiteblock" modular engine a few years earlier. It was a sales success, and for the remainder of the 850 model run (1996 and 1997), Volvo added the 850 R to their lineup to fill the gap left by the T5-R.

Although they are very similar cars, there are a few key differences: the 850 R had different wheels (17" Volans) as standard, a slightly tweaked suspension setup (thinner antiroll bars and stiffer dampers), and slightly different interior trim. The 850 R was also available in a wider range of colours, and was not a limited-edition model – production numbers are not known, but they are definitely more plentiful than the T5-R. The T5-R and 850 Rs with automatic transmissions had the exact same drivetrain as the run-of-the-mill 850 Turbo. The only change was in the engine management programming, allowing additional boost, but only for a short duration and at wide-open throttle.

850 Rs with manual transmissions, however, got a bigger turbocharger, uprated intake, an all-new engine management system, as well as a limited-slip differential. With these extra goodies, the manual-transmission 850 Rs produced 250 bhp rather than the 240 bhp of the T5-R and automatic 850 R. However, none of them made it Stateside – all 850 T5-Rs and Rs sold in the USA had a four-speed automatic transmission.

I'm working to rectify that on my 850R wagon, though – the torque converter is getting a tad noisy, and so the logical solution is to rip all that mess out and replace it with a manual 'box. I might not get the extra ten horsepower and limited-slip diff (which a 240hp FWD car desperately needs!), but at least I'll be able to shift my own gears. The automatic 'box isn't bad, and its sport mode is properly vicious, but I can't help but think that the car would be more enjoyable with a manual transmission.

44444444444 > twochevrons 02/08/2015 at 22:26

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Put an M66 and V70XC rear diff and make it AWD! Those cars are so heavy they need 4 driven wheels. You can also get an Torsen LSD for it. Or stay FWD and get an M56 with a Torsen LSD.

twochevrons > 44444444444 02/08/2015 at 22:52

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Believe me, the thought has crossed my mind. However, the 850R is supposed to be my daily driver, and I already have two projects (an '85 VW Scirocco and a '56 MGA roadster). I might be able to get by with a manual swap, but having it in pieces for an AWD conversion would definitely have some people questioning my sanity!

The M56+LSD route could be a possibility, though. I don't drive it hard enough to really justify it, but at the same time, if have a gearbox out, I might as well do some improvements. First off, though, I'm going to have to track down a donor vehicle. The junkyards up here seem to be full of manual base-model 850s, but I'm a bit wary of buying an untested transmission from a junked car.

44444444444 > twochevrons 02/09/2015 at 07:36

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I can imagine. Also without the 300lbs of AWD stuff front wheel spin should be less of an issue.

twochevrons > 44444444444 02/09/2015 at 15:09

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Oh, there's still plenty of wheelspin possible. And brutal torque-steer. In a way, I actually kind of like it – sure, it would be faster with fancy gadgetry keeping in line, but I quite like the ability to elicit such uncivilised behaviour out of an otherwise very civilised car.

44444444444 > twochevrons 02/09/2015 at 15:11

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If you make an R FWD you apparently get wheelspin and torque steer all the way to 3rd gear.

BarryDanger > 44444444444 02/11/2015 at 11:10

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Sorry to threadjack but-

I just realized Audi stopped selling us the S4 avant in 2013... WTF

Any why won't they put the good engine in the allroad? So much VAG.

44444444444 > BarryDanger 02/11/2015 at 11:30

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They have the S6/RS6 Avant now....

BarryDanger > 44444444444 02/11/2015 at 11:43

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hmmm I can't spec one out on their site.

44444444444 > BarryDanger 02/11/2015 at 11:52

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Well not in America sadly...

Hiroku > 44444444444 01/21/2016 at 07:56

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Even the normal T-5 manual will break the wheels loose easily in second gear (speaking from experience). If there’s a bit of water on the road you can even do infinite burnouts in 3rd!

TurboFlashXC60 > 505Turbeaux 05/11/2016 at 08:24

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Every Dealer who sees my 2010AWD 3.0 Turbo with Moonroof & 2 tone seats has called it a Volvo R car . Now I know why ! The only thing mine lacks in 20 inch wheels.! But since I am in the South- Virginia to be exact and don’t see potholes until early spring and they are not bigger then 4 inch holes , dont mind if I miss a case of “road rash” like you get up North. I’ll stick with my 18 inch wheels! It has foward city safe Radar-adaptive Cruise and about 17 other options Xenons- Technology pkg, Climate pkg, Blis, PCC keys,keyless start,DTSC,Hilldescent. This car today would retail ~ 60k. Been wondering how mine was so ‘special’ Think I keep it under warranty another 3 years with this info..:>)

Kobe > 44444444444 07/09/2016 at 14:18

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A lot of the information here is incorrect.

For example:

-R-Design does not mean nicer seats and that’s it. The S60 and V60 R-Design come with a seat upgrade yes, but also a performance oriented front and rear bumper, special steering wheel and gear shift, and if its a T6 R-Design it comes stock with Polestar Tuning bumping it 25hp and 29tq over the basic T6

-Polestar cars have 345hp not 350

-The C30, V50, and S40 did not come with the M66 manual, they had their own. M56.

-The S60 Polestar concept actually had a price tag of a whopping $300k, not $150k. Only 10 were produced the year it was brought to the world.

-No Volvo cars have a dual clutch. Ford or otherwise.

Diamond_Edge > 44444444444 08/22/2017 at 00:26

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You forgot the 1996 Volvo 850R (250hp, FWD, available as a manual and auto here in Europe), and the first generation V70R was available as FWD too here (actually, the AWD cars coupled with a manual are quite rare here). The 850R also had (as a manual) a limited slip differential up front as well.
Source: I actually own a Volvo 850R, and was planning to buy a V70R when I bought it ^^
There are also the less powerful versions for the italian market. Basically all castrated to 211 hp, because they come with an engine restricted to 2 litres (tax reasons)

Diamond_Edge > 44444444444 08/22/2017 at 00:29

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M59 was the gearbox for the 850R, and I would advise against using anything else, if you up the power slightly on these beasts you are looking at more than 400nm of torque fast.
The M59 gearbox will have no problems, but soon enough the clutch will be the thing to worry about.
And you don’t need AWD for those, especially not the early Volvo AWD systems (which destroy themselves over time if you use differently worn tires on both axles).
If you have a little bit of sensitivity in your left foot, then you are actually better off with the FWD because of the weight you saved. The car weighs in at about 1500KG with power seats and stuff.