Volvo 960 1990–1998

Motorpedia Volvo 960 1990–1998
960 1990–1998 Featured Image
Volvo 960
95 Volvo 960.png
Overview
Manufacturer Volvo Cars
Also called
  • Volvo S90
  • Volvo V90
Production 1990–1998
Assembly
  • Sweden: Kalmar (VKA)
  • Sweden: Gothenburg
Body and chassis
Body style
  • 4-door saloon
  • 5-door estate
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine
  • 2.0 L B204E I4
  • 2.0 L B204F I4
  • 2.0 L B204FT turbo I4
  • 2.0 L B204GT turbo I4
  • 2.3 L B230FT turbo I4
  • 2.4 L Volkswagen D24TIC turbodiesel I6
  • 2.5 L B6244 I6
  • 2.5 L B6254 I6
  • 2.8 L PRV B280E V6
  • 2.8 L PRV B280F V6
  • 2.9 L B6304 I6
Transmission
  • 4-speed Aisin AW30-43 automatic
  • 5-speed Volvo M90 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase
  • 2,771 mm (109.1 in)
  • 2,921 mm (115 in) (Executive)
Length
  • saloon (Executive):
    5,020 mm (197.6 in)
  • 1992–1994 saloon:
    4,869 mm (191.7 in)
  • 1992–1994 estate:
    4,808 mm (189.3 in)
  • 1995–1998 saloon:
    4,872 mm (191.8 in)
  • 1995–1998 estate:
    4,862 mm (191.4 in)
Width
  • 1995–1997 saloon:
    1,750 mm (68.9 in)
  • 1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height
  • 1992–1994 saloon:
    1,410 mm (55.5 in)
  • 1992–1994 estate:
    1,435 mm (56.5 in)
  • 1995–1998 saloon:
    1,438 mm (56.6 in)
  • 1995–1998 estate:
    1,463 mm (57.6 in)
Curb weight
  • saloon:
    1,560–1,604 kg (3,439–3,536 lb)
  • estate:
    1,602–1,629 kg (3,532–3,591 lb)

1990–1994

Autumn of 1990 marked the launch of the Volvo 960 in time for the 1991 model year.

This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760, but it was also one of the first cars to feature the work of British designer Peter Horbury.

 
Volvo 960 estate (US)

The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminium 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, often referred to as "white block" in the Volvo community due to its bare aluminium block. Maximum power was 204 PS (150 kW) at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS or 107 kW at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760. The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of the DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (190/200 PS, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes. Certain markets also received the 2.3-litre turbo 'Redblock' four, with 165 PS (121 kW) and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or 122 PS (85 or 90 kW).

The 960 received incremental changes for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. Most visible were the new more shapely seats, and redesigned seat-belts with hydraulic pretensioners for 1992. 1993 saw a new more ergonomic shifter, and in 1994 dual front airbags were introduced in some markets. The opaque sunroof was replaced by a sliding sunshade and glass window. In 1994, the US version of the 3-litre six was tuned for more torque and a less peaky power delivery in favor of U.S. emissions regulations, with 181 PS (133 kW) at 5,200 rpm and 270 N·m (199 lb·ft) at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267 N·m or 197 lb·ft at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).

A small coachbuilder in Laholm, Sweden, called Nilsson, worked under contract with Volvo to supply the stretched 960 Executive (and later Royal model, with Hermes leather interior). Nilsson provided a number of different lengths and sealed the window in the c-pillar, for more privacy in the rear. The Executive had longer rear doors, longer versions had inserts behind the b-pillar.

For North America, the 1992–1994 Volvo 960s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 for the US-market rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1991 as a 1992 model. The 1995 to 1998 960s were built in Göteborg, Sweden. The first 1995 model year (facelift) 960 was built on June 27, 1994.

1994–1998

In 1994 (for the 1995 model year) the 960 received a facelift, including changes to the grille and body-coloured panels. A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170 or 180 PS (125 or 132 kW) for the B6244FS version.

 
Volvo 960 saloon
 
Volvo 960 estate (US)

Only the modular six-cylinder engines were available from model year 1995 on. The front suspension was redesigned to more closely match that of the 850. The rear suspension received a completely redesigned multi-link independent system with a single fibreglass transverse leaf spring. The 1995 estate received independent rear suspension. Volvo reported that the single composite leaf spring used in the rear suspension of the 960 estate had the same mass as just one of the two springs it replaced. Boge's Nivomat self-levelling rear suspension system became an option rather than standard equipment.

Trim levels were GLT and SE for European markets.

From 1996, Volvo renamed the 960 in select markets as Volvo S90 (saloon) and Volvo V90 (estate) in alignment with the letter-and-number naming scheme used on their other models. This renaming applied to several European countries in late 1996, in North America from late 1996 for the 1997 model year, and in Australia from March 1997. The new name coincided with an improved air conditioning system.

All US cars were equipped with an electronically controlled Aisin AW-series automatic transmission. Beginning in the 1995 model year, European cars with the 2.5 L engines were also available with a manual transmission, the so-called M90, a strong new design that was derived from the Volvo 850's transmission. With the demise of the 2.5 L engine, the M90 was paired with a detuned version (180 PS or 132 kW) of the 3.0 L engine.

Production of the 960 and its S90 and V90 derivatives ended on 5 February 1998.

The S90/V90 nameplate returned to use when Volvo introduced its flagship model in 2016.

Specifications

Engines

These engines were offered in the 900 Series vehicles over the years:

Petrol engines
Model Engine code Year(s) Power Torque @rpm Displacement Engine configuration Comment
X B200E 1991 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B200F 1991–1995 111 hp (82 kW) @5700 158 N·m (117 lb·ft) @2800 1,986 cc (121.2 in3) I4 940
X B200G 1992–1994 Y 100 N·m (74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B200GT 1992–1998 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B200FT 1991–1998 155 hp (116 kW) @5600 229 N·m (169 lb·ft) @3600 1,986 cc (121.2 in3) I4 940
X B204E 1991 Y 78 N·m (58 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B204FT 1991–1994 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 960
X B230E 1991 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B230F 1992–1994 114 hp (85 kW) @5400 183 N·m (135 lb·ft) @2500 2,316 cc (141.3 in3) I4 940
X B230FB 1991–1995 130 hp (97 kW) @5500 185 N·m (136 lb·ft) @3000 2,316 cc (141.3 in3) I4 940
940 Turbo B230FT 1991–1998 162 hp (121 kW) @4800 265 N·m (195 lb·ft) @3500 2,316 cc (141.3 in3) I4 940
960 (–1992)
X B230FK 1995–1998 135 hp (97 kW) @4900 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) @2300 2,316 cc (141.3 in3) I4 940
X B230G 1992–1995 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B230GT 1991–1994 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
960
X B230GK 1995–1998 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B234F 1991–1992 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B234G 1991–1992 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I4 940
X B280E 1991–1992 154 hp (115 kW) Nordic version
168 hp (125 kW) European version		 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) V6 960
X B280F 1991–1992 147 hp (110 kW) 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) V6 960
X B6244FS 1997–1998 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I6 960
S90/V90
X B6254FS 1997–1998 170 bhp @5700 230 N·m (170 lb·ft) @4400 2,473 cc (150.9 in3) I6 960
S90/V90
X B6254GS 1997 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I6 960
S90/V90
X B6304S 1997 181 hp (135 kW) @5200 274 N·m (202 lb·ft) @4100 2,920 cc (178.2 in3) I6 960
X B6304F
B6304FS		 1991–1997 204 bhp @6000 267 N·m (197 lb·ft) @4300 2,922 cc (178.3 in3) I6 960
X B6304FS2 1997–1998 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I6 960
S90/V90
X B6304GS 1992–1997 Y 1 N·m (0.74 lb·ft) @ 1 cc (0.1 in3) I6 960
S90/V90
Diesel engines
Model Engine code Year(s) Power Torque @rpm Displacement Engine configuration Comment
diesel D24 1992–1993 82 hp (61 kW) @4700 145 N·m (107 lb·ft) @2000 2,383 cc (145.4 in3) I6 940
turbodiesel D24T 1991–1993 109 hp (81 kW) @4800
108 hp (81 kW) with EGR		 205 N·m (151 lb·ft) @2500
190 N·m (140 lb·ft) @2400 with EGR		 2,383 cc (145.4 in3) I6 940
turbodiesel
intercooler		 D24TIC 1991–1996 122 hp (91 kW) @4800 240 N·m (180 lb·ft) @2500 2,383 cc (145.4 in3) I6 940
960 (–1994)
  • B200E: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic 115 hp (86 kW)
  • B200F: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 111 hp (83 kW)
  • B200K: 2.0 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Renix ignition, 200K had standard head unlike 230K
  • B200ET: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic engine management (155 hp)
  • B200FT: 2.0 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch LH-Jetronic 156 hp (116 kW)
  • B204E: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated
  • B204F: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated and catalyzed
  • B204FT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged
  • B204GT: 2.0 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, turbocharged
  • B230E: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection
  • B230F: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, 114 hp
  • B230K: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated, Renix ignition, Heron head (introduced for the '85 model year)
  • B230ET: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Bosch Motronic (introduced in the '85 model year)
  • B230FK: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, Low Pressure Turbo ('95— )
  • B230FT: 2.3 L inline-4, turbocharged, 162 hp
  • B234F: 2.3 L 16-valve, DOHC, inline-4, naturally aspirated, 153 hp
  • B230FB: 2.3 L inline-4, naturally aspirated
  • B280E: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 2.2, 154 hp (115 kW) Nordic or 168 hp (125 kW) European version even fire crankshaft
  • B280F: 2.8 L V6, naturally aspirated, Bosch LH-Jetronic 147 hp (110 kW), even fire crankshaft
  • D24: 2.4 L inline-6 diesel, 82 hp (61 kW), naturally aspirated (Volkswagen)
  • D24T: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodiesel, 109 hp (81 kW), variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by Volkswagen
  • D24TIC: 2.4 L inline-6, turbodiesel, intercooled, 122 hp (91 kW), variant of the LT35 engine manufactured by Volkswagen
  • B6244/B6254: 2.5 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated
  • B6304: 2.9 L 24-valve inline-6, naturally aspirated

Transmissions

Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year/model/engine combinations including the:

  • M46 manual transmission (4-speed + Laycock de Normanville overdrive)
  • M47 manual transmission (5-speed)
  • M90 manual transmission (5-speed)
  • AW30-40 electronically controlled automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)
  • AW70/AW70L automatic transmission (3-speed + overdrive, lockup torque converter on some models)
  • AW71 automatic transmission (3-speed + overdrive)
  • AW72L automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)
  • ZF4HP22 automatic transmission (4-speed, lockup torque converter)