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Volvo 480. 35 years of a model as balanced as original

Presented at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show, the Volvo 480 was a revolution for the Swedish manufacturer as its first front-wheel drive model. In addition, the stylistic change that he inaugurated removed the Volvo from its gray image, without forgetting the reliability and safety that the brand has always displayed. A balanced car that now, 35 years after its launch, is presented as an interesting option to enter the love for the classics.

Although it ended up making a niche within the design of trucks and city buses, John deVries it is central to the history of Volvo passenger cars. And not so much for having worked discreetly on various models as for having revolutionized the brand with the Volvo 480. One of the most interesting models of the Swedish manufacturer, which now it is presented as a recent classic of the most interesting for anyone who wishes to enter the hobby. Of course, as long as the reasons and the appeal of a car designed not to generate indifference are understood.

And that is precisely what Volvo needed in the mid-eighties. Come out of a gray area in which it had been installed as a manufacturer worthy of all the confidence in security and reliability. But lacking in spark from such simple designs that just caused that, indifference. Situation that the directors of the company saw as a constant loss of opportunities. As, Although Volvo had the technological capacity to be an exclusive brand, it did not finish outlining a model with which to attract professionals between 25 and 40 years of age with a certain economic level..

Just what Saab did know how to do. Especially with the Turbo version of his 900 Saab 1978. A vehicle where quality was mixed with a personality that raised it to a symbol within a market segment that sought to distinguish itself from the rest. So things, Volvo started from scratch in the design of the 480. Conceiving from the inside out what should be a compact 2 + 2 with groundbreaking lines, good aerodynamics, sporty airships and outstanding safety. The mix of the brand's tradition with the passage to new times that allowed the model to succeed in markets such as North America.

VOLVO 480. THE PASSAGE TO THE NEW TIMES

Compared to what had been done before in the Swedish company, the Volvo 480 was a true revolution. And not only for the line -which only kept certain airs behind the P1800 Shooting Break of 1972-, but especially for being the first model of the brand with front-wheel drive. A car born from scratch, without the corset that involves having to use parts from other vehicles. Which is why development dragged on for six years, in which Volvo engineers put safety first.

And it is that, beyond its peculiar design with retractable headlights and a tailgate dominated by a frameless window through which to access the cargo space, the most interesting thing about the Volvo 480 is its poise. Designed to stand out in National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluations, it is capable of withstanding low-speed crashes without causing headlight or engine damage thanks to its well-studied bumper. What's more, the quality of its steel made it twice as strong as required in numerous tests.

All accompanied by a good dynamic behavior thanks to its low weight with just over a ton. One of the most commented characteristics in the tests of the time, which also indicated a certain understeer. A forgivable failure for a brand that, for the first time since the P1800, dared with a vehicle with a certain sporty spirit. Something so unusual that in sharper journalists it led to fierce criticism against a car that they did not see as a real sports car. And it is that, it really was neither nor had reasons to be, despite the fact that the Turbo version reached 120CV.

RENAULT MECHANICS AND ASSEMBLY IN THE NETHERLANDS

Looking at it as a whole, the truth is that the criticism made of the Volvo 480 by some journalists comes more from not knowing the product to be tested than from anything else. And it is that, although with this car the Swedes wanted to give themselves a carefree air, the truth is that the Volvo 480 was not born with the vision of competing with Italian sports cars. A fact that is seen in mechanical details where the force stands out more than the power peaks, being able to have almost all the engine torque from just 2200 rpm. Proof, along with reasonable consumptions and a horsepower that in the base versions was in 109CV, that those testers were judging the Volvo 480 through the wrong optics.

In addition, another proof that our protagonist prioritized reliability over performance is the origin of the engine. Using an engine block from Renault, with four cylinders in line and 1721cc cast in iron with an aluminum cylinder head. A type of mechanics with proven toughness since the days of R12. All of this assembled at the Dutch Born plant, where the Volvo 480 production line shared space with that of DAF trucks.

In short, born to revolutionize the image of the Swedish manufacturer, the Volvo 480 managed to give an important facelift to the range with notable echoes in models such as the C30 or the Concept State prototype. Two continuations of what this first front-wheel drive model wanted to be for Volvo: a practical and safe car but with a balanced behavior to have fun without complications or pilot pretenses. All this based on suspension regulated by Lotus to give the final touch to the mix.

Photos: Volvo

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Written by Miguel Sánchez

Through the news from La Escudería, we will travel the winding roads of Maranello listening to the roar of the Italian V12; We will travel Route66 in search of the power of the great American engines; we will get lost in the narrow English lanes tracking the elegance of their sports cars; We will speed up the braking in the curves of the Monte Carlo Rally and we will even get dusty in a garage while rescuing lost jewels.

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