Jure Urbancic's VolvoPAGE - Bill Garland's Nuclear Engineering Page

Volvo 240 Story
VOLVO 240 - Classic Ideal Car
interior night
design
The first Volvo from 240 series was presented in august 1974. Most new technical
solutions were taken from VESC prototype (1972; presented in 1973).
VESC is Volvo Experimental Safety Vehicle. Volvo tested their first ABS brakes and
AIRBAG in this car!
What was so new in 240?
McPherson type front suspension, new steering, OHC engine type, alloy cyl. head, 3point
safety belts,...
Because of its high passive safety, Volvo
240 (4-doors) became "normwagen" in
NHTSA (association for highway safety in
USA). Well still in 1991, 240 (5-door) was
proclaimed to be the safest car in US
market.
240 was the first car equipped with Kat and lambda sond (Bosch&Volvo), it was 1975!!
Volvo 240 was Car of The year, Family Car of the Year, Safest Car of the Year,...
Almost every third 240 was a 5-door version, families with kids worldwide just loved it!
After 19 years of production ; from 1974 'till mai 1993; 2,8 million cars came out of
Volvo factory in Goteborg.
A pic of VESC 1972 - 1973
1974, six versions of the brand new 240 were made.
With the 260 the era of 200 series began. VESC was
the inspiration for both. 240 got a brand new OHC
engine; B21, 260 had also new engine, the B27. It
was constructed in cooperation of VOLVO, Renault
and Peugeot, started in 1971. With 200 series VOLVO came on top of safety awared
companies. On 8th of February 1974 the new car factory was opened in Kalmar (South
Sweden). Star form of the factory made use of selfmoving platforms available, delivering
the car bodies to special workteams. The next year 265 came out. An exclusive estate
with poweful 6 cylinder engine and high comfort. 1976; first catalyst with lambda sond
was presented; made especially for California. The emission were reduced by 90%. 1977.
It was Volvo's 50th birthday. Special model of 240 was made; a siver metallic with black
and gold dekor lines. During the year the new 262C started to come from the Bertone
Italy. Leather upholstery, AC, power mirrors, windows, roof and antenna with 140 hp V6
engine. 1978; 240 and 260 got new improvements for better handling and 6 cyl. diesel.
1979; New 240 GLT model wtih 140 hp. 1980; The first VOLVO's trubo engine, the
B21ET and 155hp. (+ new concept car, VCC for development of 700 series.) 1981;
1,000,000 th Volvo from Goteborg to USA; silver 2X5. 1982; The year of 700 series.
http://www2.mf.uni-lj.si/~jurbancic/240.htm (1 of 2) [12/25/2001 11:17:22 PM]