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The Volvo 480 is a sporty compact car[4] that was produced in Born, Netherlands, by Volvo from 1986 to 1995. It was the first front-wheel drive car made by Volvo. The 480 was available in only one body style on an automobile platform related to the Volvo 440/460 five-door hatchback and four-door saloon models.

Volvo 480
1986 Volvo 480 ES
Overview
Manufacturer	Volvo Cars
Production	1986–1995
Assembly	Netherlands: Born (NedCar)
Designer	John de Vries (1981)[1]
Body and chassis
Class	Compact car[2] (C)
Body style	Coupé
Layout	FF layout
Related	Volvo 440/460
Powertrain
Engine	1.7 L F3N I4 1.7 L F3N I4 (Turbocharged) 2.0 L F3R I4
Transmission	5-speed Renault JC5 manual 4-speed ZF 4HP14Q automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,500 mm (98.4 in)[3]
Length	4,258 mm (167.6 in)
Width	1,710 mm (67.3 in)
Height	1,318 mm (51.9 in)
Curb weight	998–1,040 kg (2,200–2,293 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Volvo P1800
Successor	Volvo C30

It features an unusual four seat, three door hatchback body, somewhere between liftback and estate in form. The 480 was marketed as a coupé in Europe starting in 1986. The car was originally intended to be marketed in the United States as a 2+2 "sports wagon" in the fall 1987, although these plans were cancelled due to the continued weakness of the U.S. dollar during 1987.[5][6][7]

Development

Volvo took six years from the time the 480 was conceived, through its development, and finally brought to production readiness.[3] The press launch was on October 15, 1985, but the 480 was first put on public show in March at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show, becoming available to buyers in May 1986.[8]

Volvo described the car as a four seater with "sporty styling" and the first front wheel driven Volvo.[9] The press described it as having a "sleek hatch body" in contrast to Volvo's traditional "boxcar look".[10] The 480 was the first Volvo of its style since the P1800ES, and the last until the unveiling of the C30.[11] All of these models featured a frameless glass hatch for cargo access.

The 480 was produced in Born, Netherlands, at the factory that built DAF cars, including the DAF 66 based Volvo 66, and later, the Volvo 300 Series. The 480 was the forerunner of the Volvo 440 and 460 models, which were built on the same platform.

Volvo also claimed that it was one of the first cars sold in Europe featuring bumpers designed to comply with United States National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regulations to withstand a 5-mile-per-hour (8 km/h) front rear impact without damage to the engine, lights, and safety equipment.[12] This was the only Volvo to feature pop-up headlights; this was done to meet NHTSA standards on minimum headlight height while maintaining the aerodynamic shape.[10] However, although it was foreseen to sell 25,000 cars overseas, the introduction of the Volvo 480 to the American market was postponed indefinitely in February 1988, citing unfavourable market conditions and the US dollar exchange rate.[13]

The concept was to market a modern, compact front-wheel drive car with a unique low-slung design targeting buyers "between 25 and 40, probably with a higher than average education and with a career."[3] Designed by Volvo's Dutch subsidiary, the "sporty 480 ES coupe" was introduced to change the automaker's "frumpy image" and into the "yuppie" market segment.[12]

Volvo highlighted that the car was "well-endowed with advanced electronics" and the press release described in detail the numerous features.[3] The 480 had good handling, due in part to its Lotus designed suspension. The normally aspirated Renault engines were reliable.[14]

Special editions

Paris Edition

In 1991, to mark the release of a new colour to the range, Paris Blue, Volvo offered a special edition 480 called the Paris Edition. Only available in Paris Blue, the Paris Edition featured turquoise bumper and trim inserts, as well as a unique interior, featuring two-tone turquoise and grey leather upholstery, multicoloured carpet and a MOMO Daytona leather steering wheel. The Paris Edition also received a front chin spoiler and 14 inch Atlas 5-spoke alloy wheels.

Limited Edition

1992 saw the release of the Limited Edition (commonly referred to as the "Two Tone"), which featured a distinctive green and silver two-tone paint scheme, leather steering wheel, half leather seats and different upholstery pattern. A lower chin spoiler, 15 inch Taurus 5-spoke alloy wheels and VOLVO branded sill tread plates were also standard on the Limited Edition until it was discontinued in mid 1993. The Limited Edition was also dubbed the 'Two-Tone' and 'Twin Line' in other markets. [15]

GT

For the UK market in 1994, the GT was introduced as a strict run of 250 cars. It was available in two colours only; Racing Green Metallic and Flame Red Metallic. The all leather interior was specially designed by an artist, and featured a red, green and brown printed pattern, which was unique to each car. The GT also featured Air-conditioning as standard, 15 inch multi-spoke Vesa alloys and was only available as a 2.0. The GT was sold outside of the UK, however it was an option pack, not a standalone model, and did not feature the same interior or wheels as the UK models.

Celebration

1995 saw the United Kingdom release of the "Celebration" limited edition of 480 specially equipped and numbered cars. Celebrations were sold only in three colours, Dark Grey Metallic, Flame Red Metallic and Satin White. A 6-disc CD changer, ruched leather interior, 15 inch 6-spoke Cetus alloy wheels, boot roller cover and air-conditioning were among the standard features found on the Celebration. The Celebration was sold as the 'Collection' in mainland Europe, also being a limited edition of 480 examples.

Engines

Engine code	Type	Power@rpm	Torque@rpm	Transmission
B18E	1.7 L (1,721 cc) F3N I4	108 hp (81 kW)@5800	103 lb⋅ft (140 N⋅m)@4000	5-speed manual 4-speed ZF 4HP14Q automatic
B18FP	1.7 L (1,721 cc) F3N I4	102 hp (76 kW)@5600	104 lb⋅ft (141 N⋅m)@3900	5-speed manual 4-speed ZF 4HP14Q automatic
B20F	2.0 L (1,998 cc) F3R I4	110 hp (82 kW)@5200	122 lb⋅ft (165 N⋅m)@3500	5-speed manual 4-speed ZF 4HP14Q automatic
B18FT	1.7 L (1,721 cc) F3N I4	118 hp (88 kW)@5400	129 lb⋅ft (175 N⋅m)@4500	5-speed manual 4-speed ZF 4HP14Q automatic

Annual changes

The 1987 models were available with an anti-locking brake system (ABS) as an optional extra.[9]

In 1988, a Turbo version was introduced, the Garrett AiResearch turbocharger increasing the power from 109 PS (80 kW; 108 hp) to 120 PS (88 kW; 118 hp). Maximum torque was 175 N⋅m (129 lb⋅ft) compared to the 140 N⋅m (103 lb⋅ft) for the naturally aspirated 1.7 L engine.

In 1991, the 480 received new mirrors, headrests for the back seats, as well as subtle modifications to the trim and body-color bumpers.

Also in 1991, due to upcoming EU Euro 1 emissions legislation which meant that catalytic converters had to be fitted to unleaded petrol engines, power dropped to 102 hp and so the 2.0 L engine was developed; it was rated at 110 PS (81 kW; 108 hp) and 165 N⋅m (122 lb⋅ft) and first became available in September 1992. A four-speed automatic transmission was also offered.

1992 also saw the introduction of a new trim level called the '480 S'. This trim served as the base model, and lacked certain features as standard that were found on the higher spec 'ES' models, such as alloy wheels, front fog-lamps and the semi-digital gauge cluster.

Also introduced was a total closure system whereby the key can be held in the lock position to close the windows and (where fitted) sunroof. Earlier CEM modules feature a "passing" function for the wipers, whereby fully depressing the accelerator pedal will switch intermittent wipers to full.

In 1994, the 480 also received its last light update, and now sported clear front turn signals, stronger side intrusion bars and a driver's airbag as standard.[15] Production ended on 7 September 1995. According to the Volvo Museum, 76,375 cars in ES and Turbo versions were made between 1986 and 1995.

Legacy

Writing about the demise of the 480 in Car Magazine, journalist Richard Bremner wrote about the car's decent power and low weight combination. "This meant there was some danger of a sporty steer — pretty radical from a company that considered having fun at the wheel as acceptable as seducing a nun," he commented. "Good grief, a Volvo worth preserving. And there aren't many of them."

He also commented on the last versions for the United Kingdom as, "And Celebration it was too, as Europe waved goodbye to the badly built, pointless, DAF coupé with an outrageous asking price of £16,500. That paid for the CD player, alloys, leather, and a "pointless hallmarked plaque" glued to the dashboard."[14] It "was no sports car" with most being "ridiculously underpowered" and available to collectors "at rock bottom" prices.[14]

Prototypes

The 480 factory also made several prototypes, including a 480 with an electric drivetrain, a supercharged version (G-Lader), a version with a sixteen valve engine, and a version with a turbocharged 2.0 L engine.

A convertible was announced to the press in summer 1987, but not seen in public until the 1990 Geneva Motor Show. It was planned to be launched at the beginning of 1991, but it did not make production after a supplier declared bankruptcy, and concerns over rollover safety protection.[15]

References

External links

• Volvo 480 Club Europe

На других языках

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[de] Volvo 480

Der Volvo 480 ist ein Kompaktklasse-Coupé bzw. Shooting Brake und das erste frontgetriebene Fahrzeug von Volvo. Es wird zur 400er-Serie gezählt. Das auf dem Entwurf des Niederländers John de Vries basierende Design zeigt gewisse Anlehnungen an den von Sommer 1971 bis Ende 1973 gebauten Volvo P1800 ES.

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- [en] Volvo 480

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[es] Volvo 480

El Volvo 480 es un automóvil deportivo compacto[4] que fue producido en Born (Países Bajos) por Volvo entre 1986 y 1995. Fue el primer automóvil con tracción delantera fabricado por Volvo. El 480 estaba disponible en un solo estilo de carrocería sobre una plataforma relacionada con los modelos "hatchback" de cinco puertas y sedán de cuatro puertas Volvo 440.

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[fr] Volvo 480

La Volvo 480 est un modèle du constructeur automobile suédois Volvo qui fut pour la première fois présenté au public lors du Salon de Genève de mars 1986.

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[it] Volvo 480

La Volvo 480 è un modello di automobile costruito dalla casa automobilistica Volvo, nell'insolita configurazione tre porte con quattro posti, che la rendeva in pratica una coupé. Venne messa in produzione nel 1985, e fu la prima Volvo della storia con la trazione anteriore[1].

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[ru] Volvo 480

Volvo 480 — автомобиль гольф-класса в кузове универсал-купе (шутинг-брейк), созданный компанией Volvo. Также является первым переднеприводным автомобилем этой марки и единственным автомобилем Volvo, имеющим слепые фары. Производился на заводе NedCar в Нидерландах с 1986 по 1995 год. В техническом плане близок к автомобилям Volvo 440/460.

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