The History Of Volvo 460

The Volvo 440 and 460 are versions of a family car produced by the Swedish automaker Volvo Cars. They were built at the DAF factory in The Netherlands, and released in Europe in 1987 and 1989 respectively.

The 440 was a 5-door front wheel drive hatchback and the 460 a sedan. They used many components from the already-successful Volvo 480, including floorpan, front and rear suspension, engines, transmission and braking systems. Anti-lock brakes were available as an option. The cars had a facelift in 1994 which included a new bonnet and nose, new rear light clusters and uprated side impact protection. The changes made the cars resemble the very successful Volvo 850 model more closely.

Both versions had a 1.7-litre Renault engine at launch, carried over from the Volvo 300 Series; this was available between 1988 and 1992 in four different versions with a carburettor, singlepoint fuel injection, multipoint fuel injection in the early GLT models and with multipoint fuel injection and a turbocharger with intercooler. The standard 1,721 cc powerplant sported 106 bhp and an announced top speed of 185km/ h (115mph), which was marginally superior to some of its contemporary counterparts of the same class, such as the Volkswagen Passat or the Opel Vectra (their 1.8-litre engine only had 90 bhp). The turbocharged version offered 122bhp (91kW) and an announced top speed of 200km/ h (124mph). These kind of performances put it on par with higher-end 1.8-litre engines, such as the BMW 318 or 518 of the time, and on par with a host of other 2.0-litre engines of the time.

From 1992, the engines offered were substantially different; they were 1.6i, 1.8i and 2.0i naturally-aspirated petrol engines and the 1.7-litre turbo. The 1.6 was equipped with multipoint-injection, 2.0 with both singlepoint- and multipoint-injection and 1.8 only with singlepoint-injection.

Diesel versions were available; a 1.9-litre Renault turbodiesel was offered - this was badged as either TD or Turbo Diesel, depending on which European market the car was sold in.

From 1994, the engines became slightly more powerful.

Early cars were available in GL, GLE, GLT and Turbo trims. The GL trim level was basic; GLE was plush; and GLT was the 'luxury' trim level. GLT and Turbo were externally similar, both featuring lowered sports suspension and a large rear spoiler. Other trim levels were gradually phased in, such as Si and Xi and Turbo later became simply an engine variant, rather than a full trim variant.

From 1992, the range was the same for a year-and-a-half. Then, from 1994, the range was totally changed as the car received an extensive facelift that brought its external appearance more in line with the now very successful Volvo 850 and uprated the car's side impact protection. Contrary to what many people believe, however, the uprated side impact protection fitted was not a form of SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) as fitted to the Volvo 850 and later Volvo 940 and Volvo 960 models.

Trim levels were now: base, S (which was intended as a "family" variant), Si (which was intended as a "sports" variant), SE (which was intended as a "business" variant), GLT (which was intended as a "performance" variant) and CD (which was intended as a "luxury" variant) trims. An Li model also appeared in 1994, but this may have simply been a badge used on base model cars.

From at least 1995 onwards, all engine choices were available with all trim levels.

The later Si models and all GLT models were easily distinguishable from the rest of the range by being fitted with sports suspension (thus riding visibly lower) and a large rear spoiler. The GLT's specification was, however, significantly higher in featuring part leather upholstry, alloy wheels, ABS, traction control and an uprated stereo system as standard equipment. The SE was also slightly distinguishable by having a small rear spoiler.

The S model was interesting in having two child booster seats integrated into the car's rear seat.

Specification of later cars was high, with many featuring air conditioning (particularly as a result of a special offer operated by Volvo in the UK in 1995 where £100 deleted the standard electric glass sunroof from the car's specification in favour of air-conditioning and 15" alloy wheels identical to those fitted to Volvo 850 CD models, albeit with lower-profile tyres), remote central locking, electric aerial, electric windows, electric door mirrors and heated front seats.

The line up was reduced (for example, the Si and GLT models were replaced by the GS, which had all of the Si's equipment and some of the GLT's, such as ABS) prior to production ceasing in 1996, when the Volvo S40 and Volvo V40 replaced the car.

The car was not particularly well-liked in the motoring press, but its owners usually appreciated its solid build and the relatively high specification of later models.[citation needed]

Early cars were criticised for reliability, the 1.7-litre Renault engine being the subject of some criticism, particularly in its carburettor-equipped version. Later cars, particularly those produced after the facelift, were significantly better. Rust resistance also improved after the facelift. But later cars still have some problems with rust, notably in the rear wheel arches.[citation needed]

Electrics can also be problematic, but the car has proven to be comparatively durable.[citation needed]

Handling on cars fitted with the standard (later called "comfort") suspension was frequently criticised. The cars fitted with sports suspension handled much better, but they were criticised for poor ride quality and for being quite low to climb into.[citation needed]

Some have found that the engine and gearbox set up, with lots of low-end torque, makes the car accelerate surprisingly quickly from a standing start at traffic lights, but its top speed is quite limited and fuel economy is not particularly good.[citation needed]

As the first front-wheel drive family Volvo, however, the car marked a turning point in the company's history. It is worth noting that almost all completely new Volvo designs launched after the 440 have been front-wheel drive. Its styling with a distinctively long bonnet is unusual, but certainly has character. Later models with the integrated grille were perceived to look classy when compared with their mid-1990s competitors.[citation needed]