Volvo 480 a futuristic milestone
Produced in the Netherlands from 1986 to 1995, the 480 was the first front-wheel drive car made by Volvo
IT is astonishing to note that 30 years have passed since the introduction of the Volvo 480 ES.
This was the first front-wheeldrive car with a transverse engine produced by Volvo and Britain was is most successful market.
When the annual motor show in Geneva opened on March 6, 1986, the Volvo 480 ES went down a bundle.
It was not just the premiere of the first sports car from Volvo in more than a decade but also that the 480 ES was powered by the DNA of the iconic 1800 ES sports wagon, which ended production in 1973.
The low, wedge-shaped body with its pointed nose and popup headlights provided a hint of the future, while the abruptly ending rear section with its glass tailgate was yet another way to pay homage to the 1800 ES.
It still looks modern when placed next some of the latest cars and says much for its forward thinking designers.
Several sketches had been prepared by designers such as Carozzeria Bertone and Volvo Cars’ chief designer Jan Wilsgaard, but the proposal that got the green light was created by John De Vries of Volvo’s subsidiary in the Netherlands. Dynamics and personality were key words guiding the design.
The interior was also innovative, with an instrument panel angled towards the driver and adjustable backrests in the individual rear seats. The interior was designed by Peter Horbury, who would later become Volvo’s design supremo.
The level of technology in the car was high, and the 480 ES was well equipped even in the standard version.
A new feature was the trip computer. This “electronic information centre” could give the driver information about average fuel consumption, average speed, range and outside temperature. Digitally, of course.
The 1.7-litre engine came from Renault and produced 109bhp thanks to the help of catalytic converters. This was enough to produce a top speed of 118mph and enabled the car to sprint to 62mph in 9.5 seconds.
While the engine’s power output was not particularly high, the 480 ES was a car with driving properties that could match its sporty appearance.
The year 1998 saw the launch of the 480 Turbo, which had a 120bhp engine with the help of its exhaust turbo and intercooler. In 1993, a new 2.0-litre engine was added to the 480 ES series, with 110bhp and, above all, improved torque.
The 480 series was designed to be a niche model and was not a big seller for Volvo. However, it was more important for Volvo than many realised at the Geneva Motor Show in 1986.
The 480 was namely the first car in a large and comprehensive project – internally called Galaxy. The name implied that they were aiming for the stars.
For Volvo, it meant that a new era of technology was beginning. Rear-wheel drive was replaced with front- wheel or all- wheel drive, and a range of new engines was developed.
Project Galaxy began in 1978. Two years later, the first frontwheel-drive prototype was ready. The project was then split up so that Volvo Cars in Sweden was responsible for the larger car that would become the 850, and the Dutch subsidiary Volvo Cars BV was responsible for the smaller models – the 440, 460 and 480.
There were plans for an open 480 ES, and a prototype of a convertible version of the 480 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in 1990.
However, it never made it into production. Neither did the Targa version that was also developed for study purposes. Three of the prototypes of an open 480 ES are currently preserved at the Volvo Museum in Gothenburg.
The Volvo 480 ES was primarily marketed in Europe. The largest single market was the UK, where 22,000 cars were sold. Production of the car in Volvo’s plant in Born, Netherlands ended in September 1995.
At the same time, the new compact model S40 was picked up. 76,375 Volvo 480s were built in total.
I drove one of two examples and although first reaction was that this was something of a niche model, its true potential dawned after a little time at the wheel.
Few then realised the influence this futuristic model would have on the Volvos of the future.