By Nigel Evans
In the exuberant eighties, anything was possible in the automotive world, and enthusiasts tended to be obsessed with performance. However, alongside that speed, they always wanted something that looked the part, with some aero tweaks, a low nose, flared arches, and maybe the suggestion of motorsport pedigree as well. So, imagine how many eyebrows rose towards the sky when Volvo suggested that its slab-sided and boring sedan could outrun a Porsche. There wasn't any exotic engineering to speak of here, so how could something that looked like a brick do something so outrageous?
Nevertheless, Volvo was very confident in the 740 Turbo. It was in marketing heaven when the model held its own against a Porsche 944 in a famous TV ad. It wasn't the only cocksure marketing from the traditionally demure Sweidh brand, as it had an entire series of print adverts and posters comparing its performance to Lamborghinis, Porsches, and Lotus sports cars of the era.
Even better for some bold enthusiasts, the mechanical layout of the 740 Turbo made it far happier going sideways as a surprising drift king, running even further away from the brand's sober image. While the 740 Turbo didn't dominate motorsport or embarrass anything German on a racetrack, it had credible 1980s performance and a surprising afterlife as a sideways cult hero.
Why The Volvo 740 Turbo Was Fast Enough To Run With A Porsche 944
When you strip away the mythology and get down to brass tacks, you can begin to see why this Volvo sedan could cut it alongside the Porsche. After all, by mid-1980s standards, it had some legitimately strong, straight-line performance with its B230FT engine, a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-four that definitely favored torque over theatrics.
You'd get somewhere in the region of 165 hp, which may not sound too dramatic today, but the whole range of power was entirely usable. There was plenty of torque, and the boost arrived early, so the engine delivered its power in a way that felt more effortless than peaky. Usability mattered a lot more in real-world driving than top-end power alone.
| 1987 Volvo 740 Turbo Sedan Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Engine | 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-four B230FT |
| Transmission | Five-speed manual or available four-speed automatic |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Power | 165 hp |
| Torque | 195 lb-ft |
Alongside the contemporary Porsche 944, you might not think that the Volvo would stand a chance. After all, the Porsche was a beautifully balanced machine that was certainly rewarding on twisty roads, although it wasn't particularly quick in a straight line. The setup meant the Volvo could match it in everyday acceleration and, in some situations, even get ahead of it.
Volvo wanted to make as much as it could from that type of comparison with plenty of marketing materials to follow, but this wasn't about humiliating Porsche or claiming some kind of moral superiority. Volvo wanted to show that its practical family sedan could occupy the same kind of performance conversation as a respected sports car. The automaker had an opportunity to demonstrate that some of that all-important 1980s performance didn't necessarily have to come wrapped in a low-slung coupe.
How A Humble Volvo Sedan Became A Drift God
The layout of the 740 Turbo gave it a natural tendency towards sliding. Certainly, this situation may not have been the intent of its designers but rather a by-product of an old-school engineering approach. Volvo stuck to its guns, opting for a rear-wheel-drive layout, with the development prioritizing durability and simplicity. When also considering the long wheelbase and relatively soft suspension tuning, the result was a chassis that tended to transition smoothly rather than snap when traction ran out.
Meanwhile, the Volvo's turbocharged power delivery tended to amplify this effect as the boost didn't arrive with linear precision. Instead, it came in a noticeable swell that could quickly overwhelm the rear tires at the exit of a corner, especially given the relatively narrow rubber of that period. When the rear did step out, the car's overall weight distribution and length kept the drama quite stable and predictable. If drivers knew what they were doing, they could hold on to the slide rather than panicking to correct it.
The 740 Turbo also suffered from body roll, but if you were looking to be a bit of excitement, that was a good thing. After all, the car would lean into corners to load or unload the suspension, making it quite easy to reach your traction limits. Volvo ended up with a vehicle that would certainly cooperate if the driver wanted to push it to the edge.
Source: Volvo
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This article originally appeared on CarBuzz and is republished here with permission.
