History of the Volvo 5 Cylinder: Part 2

[matthew1]

History of the Volvo 5 Cylinder: Part 2

Don't miss Part 1!

[quote]While Volvo only introduced its first 5 cylinder, the Volvo 850, in 1991 – much later than Audi – the actual development of the 5 cylinder started way back in 1978, just two years after their rival introduced the 5 cylinder Audi 100.

In the late ’70s, Volvo wanted to jumpstart their move towards a more modern automobile. They created a new special project dubbed the Galaxy Project, as they were – in their own words – ‘aiming for the stars’ by creating something completely new. Indeed, the project encompassed new ideas everywhere: new body styles, new materials, new safety components and, of course, new engines. It was a long-term investment, with an economic, future-forward car as the ultimate goal.

Over the next 10 years or so, Volvo poured huge amounts of money into Project Galaxy and it eventually ended up becoming the most expensive project Volvo had ever taken on at the time. However, their push into the future eventually birthed two new cars, the Volvo 480 and the 850, the latter of which would go on to define Volvo for a decade or more.[/quote]

[Rattnalle]

When Ford sold Volvo to Chinese automaker Geely the following year, Ford gave them a 5 year ‘grace period’ in which they continued to supply Volvo with all their engines

This part confuses me a bit since all the I5s were all made in Volvos plant in Skövde and Volvo supplied Ford in Europe with I5s for their performance models. The same plant now makes the modern I4s. Though I guess Ford did try to keep as much of Volvos IP as possible when they sold the company; employees tell of Ford halting purchases of even office supplies to keep costs down before the sale to sell as little as possible of the actual value.

[mecheng]

Well done!

[June]

Nice writeup. One typo though that should be fixed on the long version. Where it says the 960 is the first car to get the Modular engine a I4, 960 had a I6, 6 for cyl. June

[matthew1]

I think you're correct, June. All those 4s in that list are red blocks.

For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (187/197 hp, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes.

But I think that was a red block engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series

[Rattnalle]

For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (187/197 hp, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes.

But I think that was a red block engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series

It was. It's the B204FT/GT engines listed there. Italy among other countries had (or even have) large tax penalties for engines above 2L. There are 2L versions of the I5 even in the T5 segment for these markets as well.

The I4 version of the aluminum white block didn't come about until the S/V40 in -95.

[matthew1]

When Ford sold Volvo to Chinese automaker Geely the following year, Ford gave them a 5 year ‘grace period’ in which they continued to supply Volvo with all their engines

This part confuses me a bit since all the I5s were all made in Volvos plant in Skövde and Volvo supplied Ford in Europe with I5s for their performance models. The same plant now makes the modern I4s. Though I guess Ford did try to keep as much of Volvos IP as possible when they sold the company; employees tell of Ford halting purchases of even office supplies to keep costs down before the sale to sell as little as possible of the actual value.

Looking into this. (I split this post off from the Part 1 story topic and merged it into this topic.)

[Rattnalle]

When Ford sold Volvo to Chinese automaker Geely the following year, Ford gave them a 5 year ‘grace period’ in which they continued to supply Volvo with all their engines

This part confuses me a bit since all the I5s were all made in Volvos plant in Skövde and Volvo supplied Ford in Europe with I5s for their performance models. The same plant now makes the modern I4s. Though I guess Ford did try to keep as much of Volvos IP as possible when they sold the company; employees tell of Ford halting purchases of even office supplies to keep costs down before the sale to sell as little as possible of the actual value.

Looking into this. (I split this post off from the Part 1 story topic and merged it into this topic.)

Ah, sorry. Didn't realise I posted in the wrong thread.

To clarify Skövde is the town where Volvos engine factory as been located since the 20s. All engines for cars produced in Europe are still made here as far as I know.

Two examples of Ford cars with Volvo engines are the European Ford Focus ST and RS which use the turbocharged I5.

[June]

volvo-960-engines.png

I think you're correct, June. All those 4s in that list are red blocks.

For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (187/197 hp, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes.

But I think that was a red block engine.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_900_Series

Here in the states the I4 was badged 940. My first Volvo the 89 740 GLT was like a year and a half old when Volvo had a inline 6 960 on the lot. I was irritated because that horrible PRV 6 or 4 turbo was all we got in 89. Mom had a straight 6 Volvo in the 70s and for 1980 got a PRV which ate the camshaft up while I was driving and blamed on me. PRV yuck! The 86 Buick 3.8 shaked annoyingly the turbo 4 was fine, but the new 960 drove so good. Here in the US all 960 cars I saw were 6 cylinder. June

[matthew1]

This part confuses me a bit since all the I5s were all made in Volvos plant in Skövde and Volvo supplied Ford in Europe with I5s for their performance models. The same plant now makes the modern I4s. Though I guess Ford did try to keep as much of Volvos IP as possible when they sold the company; employees tell of Ford halting purchases of even office supplies to keep costs down before the sale to sell as little as possible of the actual value.

Looking into this. (I split this post off from the Part 1 story topic and merged it into this topic.)

Ah, sorry. Didn't realise I posted in the wrong thread.

To clarify Skövde is the town where Volvos engine factory as been located since the 20s. All engines for cars produced in Europe are still made here as far as I know.

Two examples of Ford cars with Volvo engines are the European Ford Focus ST and RS which use the turbocharged I5.

After review, this has been fixed. Thanks for the heads-up on this, Rattnalle.