Volvo 760 1982–1990
| Volvo 760 | |
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Volvo 760 GLE (facelift model)
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| Overview | |
| Production | 1982–1990 |
| Assembly | Sweden: Kalmar (VKA) Australia: Clayton Belgium: Ghent Canada: Halifax (VHA) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 4-door saloon 5-door estate |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 2.3 L B23ET 173 hp (129 kW) turbo I4 2.3 L B230ET 182 hp (136 kW) turbo I4 2.3 L B230FT/FT+ 165/190 hp turbo I4 2.8 L B28F 130 hp (97 kW) V6 2.8 L B280E 170 hp (130 kW) V6 2.8 L B280F 147 hp (110 kW) V6 2.4 L D24TIC 115 hp (86 kW) turbodiesel I6 |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual 4-speed AW71 automatic 4-speed AW72L automatic (lockup torque converter) 4-speed ZF4HP22 automatic (lockup torque converter) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,770 mm (109 in) |
| Length | 1982–1987: 4,800 mm (190 in) 1988-1990: 188.4 in (4,790 mm) |
| Width | 1982–1987: 1,750 mm (69 in) 1988-1990: 69.3 in (1,760 mm) |
| Height | 1,410 mm (56 in) 1,435 mm (56.5 in) (estate) |
| Curb weight | 1,360–1,510 kg (3,000–3,330 lb) |
The 760, the first was Volvo's attempt to cement a place in the prestige market, after building a reputation for building solid and safe rather than out-and-out luxurious cars.
Jan Wilsgaard, head of Volvo's Design and Styling Team, proposed over 50 new designs for the new car.
It was introduced to the U.S. in 1982 for the 1983 model year as the 760 GLE saloon, having been launched in Sweden in February 1982 and in Britain from July 1982. An estate model followed in 1985.
This new design was criticized by the media when released: Gordon Murray of Autocar Magazine said, "to me it's obscene. That goes right against the grain of what everybody else is trying to do. To me it looks like a European version of a North American car. It produces the same amount of power as a 2600 or 3500 — in this day and age it disgusts me to see something about like that. It's a definite step backwards." All that changed however when Autocar and Car & Driver got their hands on a turbo intercooled 760; they said it was one of the best handling and fastest accelerating cars they had seen in a while, going from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in under eight seconds.[citation needed]
Turbocharged and intercooled variants were added in 1984, station wagon variants and the 740 (the 760's lower-specification sibling) were introduced for the 1985 model year. In 1985, an electronic traction control system was introduced. Unlike the lesser 740, the 760 received standard anti-lock brakes in many models.
For the 1988 model year, the 760 received numerous updates. From the outside, the most noticeable of the over 2000 changes were the revised front sheet metal, including an aluminium hood, recessed windscreen wipers, and new aerodynamic headlights. Inside, all 760s received a revised dashboard which was angled towards the driver, three-position tilt steering, and a new stereo system. The top versions (standard in the US) were equipped with a new electronic climate control (ECC). Underneath, saloons received the same multi-link independent rear suspension which was also introduced on the 780. The new four-link rear axle also required a new fuel tank, which was in the form of a saddle, sitting atop the driveshaft. The volume of the tank shrunk by two liters, to 80 l (21.1 US gal; 17.6 imp gal). Along with the revised dash, the interior saw the addition of a revised dome light and many fabric accent pieces. The 760 Estate received the same changes, except it continued to use the live rear axle. This was due to the weight increase: the new rear suspension weighed about 40 kg (88 lb) more than the old one, and Volvo meant that loss of payload would not be worth the comfort improvements.
The Volvo 760 was a popular choice as a police car in several parts of Europe. East German leader Erich Honecker often used this Volvo in his governmental car pool. It was inevitably a popular choice with police in Scandinavian countries.
For 1990, its final year of production, Volvo 760 saloons received taillights in the style of the Volvo 780 and minor interior changes. The 760 was discontinued after the 1990 model year (with production ending on 27 June 1990), replaced by the Volvo 960, an update of the 760 chassis. The Volvo 740 outlived the 760, remaining for another two years, finally being discontinued in 1992 after the 850 was launched.
The Volvo 760 was built in Kalmar, Sweden, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and Ghent, Belgium.
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