Superb video, a very insightful look at an amazing little machine. I was just wondering, would it be possible for me to use this footage as part of an upcoming documentary I'm creating about the history of the Volvo 480? I will provide you will full accreditation and send you a link to the video before its release so you can review the use of your footage. :)
This video has been created by Volvo UK so you should credit them, not me. :) Please provide a link to the video when you're done so I can share that with the Volvo 480 community. Thanks!
Blame Volvo upper management and their ties with Renault at the time. Renault had a stake in Volvo, Volvo needed Renault's front wheel drive technology but they had to use their engines for it in exchange. (There are a handful Renaults with Volvo engines though!) Also, Jan Wilsgaard, who was head of Volvo design, didn't want the 480 to be a fast car, because that would hamper the safe image of Volvo. So that's why it was a bit underpowered for being the fastest from the lights or have a top speed on the Autobahn. But it cornered much, much better than the rear wheel drive bricks of the time.
You can shoehorn a Renault Clio RS engine (up to 2013 when they changed to Nissan turbo engines) into the 480. Same engine with 20 years of further development, no turbo, yet 170+ bhp (even 200 in the latest RS models)
+Robert Brink had three of these a turbo an es and a two tone ltd edition loved them at the time but like I said would have been a cracking car with a two litre turbo get my kicks now in my 98 c70 gt t5 another underrated Volvo !!
Its handles and accelerate like a front wheel drive car, too much power and your front wheels are jumping begging for grip. Oversteer is also a issue with them. But for a Volvo at the time it was quite sporty and good looking
Actually the gearbox in the Turbo has a different first and second gear ratio compared to the normally aspirated engines. I have a two litre n/a engine, don't find it sluggish or low geared and corners very fast as well. But my frame of reference is a big, heavy Volvo...
I think the automatic is very good, even by today's standards its not bad, certainly better than any Peugeot. However it's a tad slow for daily driving today. Still nice and quick enough
