A look at Volvo's very own 850 T-5R, the history of the 850 T5 in BTCC and THAT Top Gear Special. 

You just have to own one to truly understand. They are FANTASTIC cars. They handle well and sound really good (with a turbo especially)

In oure dealership is a black 850T5R wagon Love that one...

I owned 3 T5 850 estates, one of which I paid €450 in 2014. Im delighted I held onto an olive green T5R wagon in storage. With so much attention coming on the T5R's I'm getting the urge to recommission it and get it on the road

Got an Manual 850R, the good thing about is not having a little more hp (250) it is having an LSD up front which makes it handle so much better. Ofc has heated seats in the back

Was a 850R for top gear

Awesome 👌 More T-5R content please 😍😍

Wow what a lovely surprise to see my old car in the intro, r301gde, I had that car for a couple of years after buying it privately as a local car in Pembrokeshire and sold it on to the Nottingham area after I got a mad itch to buy a saab, big mistake I should have kept that car she was a lovely old motor and went really well 😀

My dad's had heated rear seats, he had the green estate brand new, we loved that car.

0:58, James bought the later 850 R, not an 850T-5R.

heated rear seats are easy to add. cables are all ready

love love i got an 850 turbo saloon with 88,000 miles wish i had the estate ://

I have a 1999 P80 V70, which has no heated seats at all! This came as a genuine shock to me as I've owned several Volvos and every one had front heated seats, I thought coming from Sweden this was part of the base spec... I mean who would be going through the options list on a new Volvo and not check that box? Premium CD sound system: check. Heated seats: nope. Crazy.

The estate and saloon 850 race car was about the same speed (no rear spoiler allowed in 1994) so of course they choose the estate for marketing reasons. Slightly higher point of gravity thanks to the roof and glass but not enough difference to not go for the marketing effect. With the spoiler in 1995 the saloon was an easy choice.

The t5r ,only had 240 hp ...it was the 850R ,which had 250hp. The BTCC cars, were NA 2.0 20v engines. I still miss my late 96 2.0 10v estate

the car in top gear was an 850R

Hi Geoff, having watched this interesting video, I thought, great, at last a Volvo dealership that can relate to and so understand the needs of Volvo owners aiming to keep their old cars on the road. So, when my 22-year-old V70 recently developed an error message I thought fantastic, I’ll just ask them to plug in their diagnostic system and clear that code for me. And if that goes well, I might involve them in any future issues with my 31-year-old 850. But guess how much they wanted just to plug that device in (to undertake a diagnostic reading and nothing more) - an incredible eyewatering £186! Seems all these dealerships are the same after all. By the way, I knew the reason for the message - the cause was fixed, and I just need the error deleted. Turns out I was able to purchase a code reader and clear the message myself for less money than a single visit to that Volvo dealership. You could not make this stuff up.

I had the S40 T4 in Panama yellow with carbon fibre interior trim. It went crusty and was a very difficult colour to colour match. Still, what a car!

I've got rear heated seat Geoff will send you a pic of buttons lol

There was one in my local garage 4yrs ago having work done.

My favourite Volvo colour is saffron orange.

Hi Geoff, I have a Volvo 850 R, 1 prev owner to me and a mere 58k miles from new, always serviced and it was from Japan. Should I hang on to it? (I love it)

Just brought a manual 850 t5r in black 😬😍 haven't driven it yet hoping it'll be ready for the summer ready for a Volvo meet up, love the yellow though 👌👌

What happened , Volvo vowed never to race again after they lost a racing team in a helicopter crash at the Dakar , the T5 was done on the hush hush and my friend boije ovebrink sort of took the first car out of the factory in Gothenburg to a European truck racing meeting at the misano adriatico circuit in Italy to demonstrate and show the car of to the press .

I thought this video said “1 hour ago” It’s one year ago 😂😂

the BTCC car was based on the GLT not the T-5 because they could only use a 2litre engine

I would sell a kidney for that car

If only Volvo still made a proper estate car with a vertical rear instead of their current "lifestyle" models

You mention M 5 TSR twice between 5.00 & 6.00 but that reg plate clearly says M 9 TSR ? 🤔

I first saw an 850 T5-R at a Winnipeg, MB Volvo dealership in the spring of 1995. It was in the showroom and it was a yellow sedan. My first thought was; "Why does anyone need a car that can do 150mph when the speed limit is just over 60?" Years later that is still my thought. But, judging from their popularity I guess others think differently.

Also famous for 90s ramraiders

That T-5R Does have the right steering wheel. But the gear-knob is wrong. It is missing the cover on the towing hook in the bumper. The doors and so on does have been repainted. There is some color difference. Good Object but so sad to see them just sit in a showroom.

You found a unicorn and I hate you for it.

That colour could easily be called cheddar. Controversial?

Speaking as an Audi A6 C5 4.2 quattro avant wide arch owner (300bhp) I fail to see the fascination in these, yes I remember them when they were new, nope I wasn't that impressed back then either.

Its T5-R :) And no James didnt buy a T5-R he bought the R :)

most past way to swedish carrying on their liquor from 🇪🇪 to their home

v70 S1 the rear seat is heated... same car ey?