January 11^th, 2000                       

An official history of family-friendly wagons…

For decades, Volvo has been the world’s leading wagon manufacturer.

Volvo’s commitment to building the quintessential family car began with the Volvo PV445 Duett in 1953 and has continued to play a pivotal role through the development of every new model range since then.

Volvo PV445 (1953 - 1969) - Hardly anyone called the first Volvo wagon by its official name; instead, it became known as the Duett, because it was a flexible and nippy van during working hours and a spacious, comfortable passenger car during leisure hours.

Intended at first as a way to use up 1500 surplus chassis, the Duett became a great success. Sales of 90,000 during its lifetime provided the foundation of Volvo’s success in the wagon segment.

Volvo P220 (1962 - 1969) - The P220 Amazon wagon represented Volvo’s first true wagon. The vehicle, with its unitary design and modern construction, was launched at the 1962 Stockholm Motor Show.

Clever design ensured it shared the sedan’s good looks while also offering a large cargo area within the same overall size.

When production ended, 73,000 examples had been sold to a public waking up to the versatility of Volvo wagons.

Volvo 145 (1967 - 1974) - The Volvo 145 took the wagon even closer toward the idea of a sedan with a capacious luggage area. Technically, the 145 wagon was identical to the 144 sedan, except for its extended bodywork and reinforced rear suspension. Its weight capacity was slightly less than the Duett’s and Amazon’s, but useful cargo volume was enormous.

Volvo 245/265 (1974 - 1993) - The legendary 245, introduced alongside the 244 sedan, heralded Volvo’s domination of the wagon segment. The Volvo 265 in 1975 was Volvo’s first luxury wagon, offering more features than many sedans at the time, including a six- cylinder engine. In 1981, the world’s first mass-produced wagon with a turbocharged engine ended the distinction between sedans and wagons in terms of driving characteristics and comfort. Combined, the 245 and 265 accounted for one million sales.

Volvo 740/760, 940/960, V90 (1985 - 1998) - The design of the Volvo 740/760 in fact preceded its sedan stablemate and was a model of well-thought out solutions. Compared with predecessors, it focused more on contemporary lifestyle and leisure, including features such as a split-fold rear backrest and improved road-noise insulation. The 1985 Volvo 740 Turbo was the only wagon that could reach 100 kmh in 8.5 seconds, turn around in 9.9 metres, tow 1800 kg and swallow 2.12 cubic metres of luggage - while also providing luxury car comfort. Updated, the 740/760 became the 940/960, followed by the six-cylinder which ended the era of rear-drive Volvos. In all, 675,000 were built over 13 years.

Volvo 850 (1993 - 1996) - In terms of driving characteristics, safety and comfort, the Volvo 850 was as much sporty sedan as it was wagon. Volvo’s first front-drive wagon raised the bar with sporting handling and powerful five-cylinder engines. It had a daring vertical tail-lamp arrangement and a rear compartment few could equal. Volvo made history by moving to the racing track to prove there was no contradiction between a family wagon and true driving pleasure. Roadgoing versions benefited from the racing experience.

Volvo V40 (1995 -) - Launched at the Bologna motor Show, the Volvo V40 was the first Volvo wagon to carry the designation V, for versatility.

Just as much fun to drive as its bigger sibling the V70, the V40 also is just as comfortable and versatile and perhaps also the safest in its market segment.

Volvo V70 (1996 - ) - Modified from the Volvo 850 both under the skin and on the outside, the new Volvo V70 wagon continued to attract customers all over the world, thanks to its high level of occupant protection, extreme usefulness, sophisticated behaviour and wide range of variants and options.

The new Volvo V70 (2000 -) - Even more safe, practical and exciting to drive is the message behind the best Volvo wagon ever. Volvo wagon development is a continuous process, striving for perfection in a vehicle type that Volvo has made very much its own.