We will all agree {that a} station wagon is principally the final word fanatic’s car. There’s simply one thing about these long-roof machines that do every thing. If you throw on issues like turbocharged engines and all-wheel drive, it’s simply icing on the cake. Sadly, not many wagons exist within the U.S. anymore. Volvo is one in every of the final holdouts. And not too long ago they gave me the possibility to get behind the wheel of one in every of their traditional wagon fashions.
Whereas the 850 made a superb however reasonably sedate wagon — it was the primary automotive on the planet to return outfitted with aspect influence airbags, as an illustration. Volvo needed in on the efficiency recreation, although, and it launched the high-performance 850 R wagon for 1995. It received a 240 horsepower turbocharged inline-five, a four-speed automated transmission, a singular entrance fascia with decrease air dam, darkish grey 17-inch wheels and a rear wing. It was fast and one of many quickest wagons within the Nineties, if not the quickest. Unbiased testing confirmed it might hit 60 mph in simply 6.7 seconds earlier than topping out at 149 mph.
Volvo introduced a mint instance for me to check out at WagonFest SoCal 2024. This one was an actual deal with and was painted in Cream Yellow. The colour is important as a result of it was one in every of solely 49 ever dropped at the U.S. This specific 850 R was privately owned till Volvo bought it from the proprietor again in 2017. They usually truly drove the factor, which is gorgeous to see — the odometer learn simply over 148,000 miles.
Entering into the 850 R, I used to be instantly transported again in time. I drive a number of automobiles, however I haven’t been in a automotive this previous shortly. It was an exquisite change given the automotive’s simplicity. No enormous screens. Precise, bodily buttons and switches to manage every thing. No push button begin; an precise key for the ignition. Turning the important thing and beginning up that 30-year-old I5 , I used to be capable of really feel every thing from the clicking of the ignition to the shuddering whereas the engine was turning over. You may’t say that about too many automobiles now.
The engine sounded good although, which informed me that regardless of being in storage more often than not, Volvo retains up with its upkeep. That didn’t imply Volvo didn’t need one in every of its expensive historic automobiles babied. The Volvo rep using with me informed me to verify I preserve an eye fixed out on the engine temp, particularly given the heatwave we’ve been going via. And there have been a number of different small, tough edges. The A/C didn’t work, as an illustration. Other than that, and given the miles and age, the state of the inside was fairly rattling good.
After letting the automotive sit for a pair minutes I set off on a brief trek down L.A.’s annoyingly busy Fairfax Blvd. Getting underway, the sensations I used to be getting whereas driving have been complicated. On one hand, you’re feeling the automotive’s age when going over uneven or tough elements of the road. On the opposite, I questioned if this was simply me being spoiled and so used to fashionable automobiles and their adaptive suspensions and sound deadening. Giving it a little bit of gasoline to make it throughout an interplay, I used to be met with precise engine noise from the turbocharged I5. Giving it a bit extra — with the OK from the Volvo rep after all — I received hit with one thing I by no means thought I’d miss: torque steer. Placing 250 horses via simply the entrance wheels tended to provide that in this stuff. Being so used to fashionable automobiles although, electronics and engineering advances implies that torque steer has virtually been eradicated. Feeling it once more was weirdly nice.
Regardless that my drive within the 850 R was transient, I’ll always remember it. It was a reminder I wanted of simply how far automobiles have come within the final 30 years. Whereas that’s introduced some advances which have benefited prospects and firms alike, it’s additionally come on the expense of complication and most significantly, driving really feel. I additionally gained an understanding of why the 850 R is so wanted. It’s implausible, and we’ll possible by no means see something prefer it once more. In the event you’re fortunate sufficient to personal one, don’t ever do away with it.
