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Volvo 200 Series

Volvo 200 Series
1988-1991 Volvo 240 GL station wagon (2011-06-15) 01.jpg
Volvo 240 GL wagon
Overview
Manufacturer Volvo Cars
Production
  • Europe: 1974–1993
  • Canada: 1974–1985
  • Malaysia: 1983–1993
Assembly
Designer Jan Wilsgaard
Body and chassis
Class Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)
Body style
Layout Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Related Volvo 262C
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission
Dimensions
Wheelbase 104.3 in (2,649 mm)
Length
  • 189.9 in (4,823 mm) (sedan)
  • 190.7 in (4,844 mm) (wagon)
Width
  • 67.7 in (1,720 mm) (sedan, pre-1987)
  • 67.3 in (1,709 mm) (sedan, 1988–1993)
Height
  • 56.3 in (1,430 mm) (sedan)
  • 57.1 in (1,450 mm) (wagon, pre-1990)
  • 57.5 in (1,460 mm) (wagon, 1991-93)
Curb weight between 1,270 kg (2,800 lb)
(244 base model) and 1,465 kg (3,230 lb) (265 model)
Chronology
Predecessor
Successor

The Volvo 200 series was a range of executive cars produced by Volvo Cars from 1974 to 1993, with more than 2.8 million units sold worldwide. Like the Volvo 140, it was designed by Jan Wilsgaard. It overlapped production of the Volvo 700 series introduced in 1982. As the 240 remained popular, only the 260 was displaced by the 700 series — which Volvo marketed alongside the 240 for another decade. The 700 series was replaced a year before the 240 was discontinued. Production ended on 14 May 1993 after nearly 20 years.

The Volvo 240 and 260 series was introduced in the autumn of 1974, and was initially available as six variations of the 240 Series (242L, 242DL, 242GT, 244DL, 244GL, 245L and 245DL) and two variations of the 260 Series (264DL and 264GL). The 240 Series was available in sedan (with two or four doors) or station wagon, however the 260 Series was available as a coupé (262C Bertone), four-door sedan, or station wagon. The 200 looked much like the earlier 140 and 164 Series, for they shared the same body shell and were largely the same from the cowl rearward. However, the 200 incorporated many of the features and design elements tried in the Volvo VESC ESV in 1972, which was a prototype experiment in car safety. The overall safety of the driver and passengers in the event of a crash was greatly improved with very large front and rear end crumple zones. Another main change was to the engines, which were now of an overhead-cam design. The 260 series also received a V6 engine in lieu of the 164's inline-six.

The 200 Series had MacPherson strut type front suspension, which increased room around the engine bay, while the rear suspension was a modified version of that fitted to the 140 Series. The steering was greatly improved with the installation of rack-and-pinion steering, with power steering fitted as standard to the 244GL, 264DL and 264GL, and there were some modifications made to the braking system (in particular the master cylinder.


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Wikipedia

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