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.Major product modifications Volvo 240 Series - 1974 - 1992
source: Volvo Press Information
The
1975 model
In August 1974,
Volvo presented a new car - the Volvo 242/244/245 - the successor
to the popular 140 Series. The first digit in the model
designation showed that this was a new series, the second
represented the number of cylinders and the third the number of
doors.
The Volvo 240 was acknowledge at an early stage for its safety designs and features in the field of both active, so-called accident-prevention, safety and passive, injury-prevention, safety. The design and the body closely resembled the experimental safety car, the VESC (Volvo Experimental Safety Vehicle), which Volvo had presented some years before. The fine driving characteristics could be attributed in part to a newly-designed front chassis featuring rack and pinion steering and MacPherson suspension. The 240 also had a live rear axle in order to avoid behavior which could surprise the driver (the same reaction when taking evasive action in an emergency as in normal driving).
A modern engine with an aluminum cylinder head of the cross-flow type and a single overhead camshaft developed 97/100 bhp in the carburetor version and 123 bhp in the injection version.
The Volvo 264 had a newly-designed injected engine, a V6 with an output of 140 bhp. This engine was built in a plant in northern France and was the result of a joint venture between Volvo, Renault and Peugeot.
The
1976 model
Two new
manual gearboxes were introduced;one was a four-speed (M45) and
the other was a four-speed with electrical overdrive (M46).
Overdrive was easy to operate using a push button on the top of
the gear selector knob and could be engaged and disengaged
without declutching.
A new, safer steering wheel was introduced. The development of
this steering wheel was based on experience acquired from Volvo's
traffic accident research (the Traffic Accident Research Team, as
it is known).
Copper-alloy brake lines also helped to improve the level of safety.
Parts of the exhaust system was aluminized to improve life expectancy.
The
1977 model
In the
USA, Volvo introduced a system using a three-way catalytic
converter controlled by what was know as Lambda sond, which
produced far cleaner exhaust emission that had previously been
possible. The whole of the world's automobile industry has since
adopted this system, which is still unrivaled with it comes to
cleaning the exhaust from petrol-driven cars.
The
1978 model
The old
B20 engine was replaced by the B19A, a member of the new engine
generation, with an output of 90 bhp.
On April 14th, Volvo celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first car ever produced by Volvo. The occasion was commemorated, among other things, by a jubilee version of the 244 in silver metallic paint.
The Volvo 242 GT was presented. this was a two-door car with a new front, new seats, ventilated disc brakes, anti-roll bars, and an injection engine developing 123 bhp.
During this jubilee year, Volvo aroused a great deal of attention by presenting a coupe model, the 262 C, designed by the Italian Bertone.
The front seats were given a new design.
The
1979 model
The
previous round headlights were replaced by square or rectangular
ones.
The saloon models were given a new, rounded boot lid with a lower sill and new tail-lights.
The tailgate on the 245 was given gas springs.
All models now had a spoiler.
New anti-roll bars and harder shock absorbers improved road performance
A new, safer steering wheel was introduced.
The Volvo 242 GT was equipped with 2.3-litre engine, the B23E, developing 140 bhp.
A 6-cylinder diesel engine for cars was given its world premiere. It was a 2.4-litre developing 82 bhp which had been developed by Volkswagen. A 5-cylinder version of this engine was also used for a number of years on some markets, first and foremost Italy.
The
1980 model
The GT
model was replaced by the 244 GLT with two different engines -
the B23E or the six-cylinder B27E with an output of 141 bhp.
The interior of all the models were even more extensively color-keyed.
The Volvo 240 featured a small but valuable safety improvement - a wide-angle rearview mirror on the driver's side. This new mirror virtually eliminated blind spots.
The
1981 model
A new
front, new bumpers and a new so-called "greenhouse" -
in other words, a frame round the side windows. The 1981 models
had a new dashboard and the estates were given
"wrap-around" tail-lights.
Important new features
when it came to engines. Volvo launched a turbocharged engine,
the B21ET, with an output of no less than 155 bhp, as well as a
new basic engine, the B23A, which developed 112 bhp in the
carburetor version.
A new 2.8-litre version of the PRV (Peugeot-Renault-Volvo) engine
with an output of 155 bhp was also introduced.
The
1982 model
A
two-litre turbocharged engine, the B19ET, was introduced for
certain markets including Italy.
Other new features included a 4-speed automatic gearbox, the AW70/71, a new interior fittings.
The
1983 model
The Volvo
760 was presented in February and, as a result, the Volvo 264 was
phased out.
The Volvo 240 was given a new front and tail-lights - from the 264 Series.
A new gearbox, the M47, was introduced. It was a 5-speed gearbox made of aluminum and was 6 kg lighter than previous versions.
The
1984 model
The Volvo
245 Turbo - the world's first series-manufactured estate with a
petrol-driven turbo.
Aluminized exhaust systems form the exhaust manifold and back.
The
1985 model
A new
engine generation with displacements of 2 and 2.3 litres.
Asbestos-free brake pads.
The
1986 model
The most
striking changes included a new front, bonnet and boot
lid/tailgate together with a black protective molding along the
bottom of the sides of the body.
New interior fittings such as new seats and head restraints, a colour-keyed dashboard and a new luggage compartment in the estate.
An 8-year corrosion warranty and what known as a long-life exhaust system on all versions.
Asbestos-free plates in the clutch.
The
1987 model
A new
carburetor engine, the B230K. A 2.3-litre multi-octane engine
which could run on every octane from 93 and up, with or without
lead.
The
1988 model
Improved
cold-start characteristic for the 2.3-litre injection engine.
The
1989 model
Rear head
restraints were introduced on all models.
A new 2.3-litre engine, the B230F, with a diagnostic system.
The
1990 model
A new
tailgate on the estate.
An airbag on the driver's side.
The Volvo 245 Polar was introduced in Italy.
A new 2-litre injection engine with catalytic exhaust emission control.
New, environmentally-compatible corrosion treatment.
15,000 km service intervals.
The
1991 model
Anti-lock
brakes (ABS) on all left-hand-driven 240s.
More efficient air conditioning with a 15% reduction in CFCs.
The new B230FX engine developing 136 bhp.
No oil changes need on the rear axle.
Greater protection from flying stones for the windscreen by using a thicker outer layer of glass.
The
1992 model
Airbags
and ABS anti-lock brakes on right-hand-driven cars as well.
New chassis for greater comfort and improved roadholding.
New front seats, more powerful and better electrical heating.
The
1993 model
CFC-free
air conditioning.
A 2.3-litre environmental engine for California and Sweden.
The Volvo 240 with its timeless design. (the 240 ceased production)
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