It is one of the cars with the world's longest construction time. It is distinctive thanks to its massive safety bumpers and reached cult status even before the end of its production run. The Volvo 240 combined also with the luxurious six-cylinder version known as the 260, helped cement the image of Volvo as a leading manufacturer safer premium sedans and stationwagons. Fast Turbo and also six-cylinder diesel cars also attributed to the car's long history. Also, it held a pioneering role in the introduction of the closed-loop three-way catalytic converter with Lambda probe. Developed from the Volvo 140 series, the Volvo 240 was first introduced on August 21, 1974.
That was a year of sensations for Sweden. In spring 1974 ABBA came out with the smash hit "Waterloo" in the Euro Vision Song Contest. Then, the 18-year-old rising star Bjorn Borg stormed to the top of the tennis world rankings. Headlines were also made at the press launch for the Volvo 240, held in the central Swedish town of Borlänge, where attending journalists hit the road in striking orange painted Volvo 244 GL models - and with typical 70's orange interior.
During the 19-year production period 2,685,171 units of the Volvo 240 were delivered. There were 177,402 luxury models Volvo 260, so combined 2,862,573 vehicles. A result that has so far exceeded any other Volvo series. Also unique is that the Volvo 240 even his own successor - has survived for one year - introduced in 1982, the Volvo 740.
Reference models for security research and sustainability
The Volvo 240 was an evolution of the 140 series. However, the bulging front fascia with large, dark plastic bumpers differed significantly from its predecessor and was inspired by the safety concept VESC concept car. The handsome 240 had also grown 13 centimeters in length over its predecessor. Inside, the car gained new grid-like headrests.
In fact, the Volvo 240 set new standards for occupant protection. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration NHTSA confirmed this, choosing the Volvo in 1976 for the reference series of their security research. Almost throughout its construction, the Volvo 240 was the benchmark for occupant protection. Even nearing the end of its lifecycle, the Volvo 240 was named by the American IIHS Insurance Institute in 1993 as a vehicle with the fewest fatalities among vehicles sold in the United States from 1988 to 1992.
The Volvo 240 took on a pioneering role in the fall of 1976 with a reduction in emissions. At the time, Volvo delivered the world's first sedans and station wagons with controlled three-way catalytic converter and lambda probe for California, and thus fell below the applicable there, amongst the strictest emissions standards in the world. Thanks to the Lambda probe the catalyst could eliminate 90 percent of the harmful substances. Volvo has won several awards for this pioneering role in providing sustainability. In Germany, Volvo introduced for model year 1986 as one of the first standard to a three-way catalyst.
Milestones in engine construction
The 240/260 series and the its advanced chassis layout, with MacPherson struts, was new to the Volvo range, but even more important, however, was the leap into the future with the drive units. While the well-known B20 four-cylinder engine remained temporarily for the base versions, the volume engine was the newly developed B21 engine that gave it in various versions as carburetor and injection four-cylinder. Later, the larger B23 engines were added, and especially turbo versions that temporarily established the spacious Volvo 245 the fastest estate car in the world. A healthy 113 kW (154 hp) accelerated the first few giants with turbo petrol engine in just 8.9 seconds from standstill to 100 km.
That was a year of sensations for Sweden. In spring 1974 ABBA came out with the smash hit "Waterloo" in the Euro Vision Song Contest. Then, the 18-year-old rising star Bjorn Borg stormed to the top of the tennis world rankings. Headlines were also made at the press launch for the Volvo 240, held in the central Swedish town of Borlänge, where attending journalists hit the road in striking orange painted Volvo 244 GL models - and with typical 70's orange interior.
During the 19-year production period 2,685,171 units of the Volvo 240 were delivered. There were 177,402 luxury models Volvo 260, so combined 2,862,573 vehicles. A result that has so far exceeded any other Volvo series. Also unique is that the Volvo 240 even his own successor - has survived for one year - introduced in 1982, the Volvo 740.
Reference models for security research and sustainability
The Volvo 240 was an evolution of the 140 series. However, the bulging front fascia with large, dark plastic bumpers differed significantly from its predecessor and was inspired by the safety concept VESC concept car. The handsome 240 had also grown 13 centimeters in length over its predecessor. Inside, the car gained new grid-like headrests.
In fact, the Volvo 240 set new standards for occupant protection. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration NHTSA confirmed this, choosing the Volvo in 1976 for the reference series of their security research. Almost throughout its construction, the Volvo 240 was the benchmark for occupant protection. Even nearing the end of its lifecycle, the Volvo 240 was named by the American IIHS Insurance Institute in 1993 as a vehicle with the fewest fatalities among vehicles sold in the United States from 1988 to 1992.
The Volvo 240 took on a pioneering role in the fall of 1976 with a reduction in emissions. At the time, Volvo delivered the world's first sedans and station wagons with controlled three-way catalytic converter and lambda probe for California, and thus fell below the applicable there, amongst the strictest emissions standards in the world. Thanks to the Lambda probe the catalyst could eliminate 90 percent of the harmful substances. Volvo has won several awards for this pioneering role in providing sustainability. In Germany, Volvo introduced for model year 1986 as one of the first standard to a three-way catalyst.
Milestones in engine construction
The 240/260 series and the its advanced chassis layout, with MacPherson struts, was new to the Volvo range, but even more important, however, was the leap into the future with the drive units. While the well-known B20 four-cylinder engine remained temporarily for the base versions, the volume engine was the newly developed B21 engine that gave it in various versions as carburetor and injection four-cylinder. Later, the larger B23 engines were added, and especially turbo versions that temporarily established the spacious Volvo 245 the fastest estate car in the world. A healthy 113 kW (154 hp) accelerated the first few giants with turbo petrol engine in just 8.9 seconds from standstill to 100 km.
