Volvo 240 260 Series

Volvo 242

In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series.

These new models had been developed from the 140 series and were very similar to their predecessors. The changes included a new front, large bumpers and a further-developed chassis, featuring a front-wheel suspension system of the McPherson type. At the same time, a new 4-cylinder engine series with an overhead camshaft began to be used. The previous 4-cylinder was still offered in basic versions for some time.

Two-door cars were still very much in demand, particularly on the Nordic markets, and it was therefore only natural to include a 2-door in the programme. However, as the trend was moving towards 4-door cars, the 242 were taken out of production long before the 244 and 245.

Over the years, the Volvo 242 was produced with many different engines and gearboxes.

The most spectacular versions were the 242GT introduced in the late 1970´s and the 240 Turbo of the 1980´s marketed in North America, both cars offering spectacular performance and answering in full to the classical proverb 'a wolf in sheep?s clothing'.

Technical Specifications
Model: 242
Variants: 242 GT
Produced: 1974 - 1984
Volume: 242621
Body: 2-door saloon
Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line OHV, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC with turbocharging.
Transmission: 4-speed manual or 4-speed with el. overdrive, with floor-mounted gear lever. 3-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.
Misc: In 1985, the Volvo 242 won the European Touring Car Championship.

Volvo 244

In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series.

In connection with the introduction of the 240 family, a new 4-cylinder engine family with an overhead camshaft began to be used. The previous 4-cylinder was still used for some time in basic versions.

For a short period, the Volvo 244 could also be specified with a V6 engine. A popular alternative on some markets made its appearance in 1979 - the market's first 6-cylinder diesel in a passenger car (a 5-cylinder diesel engine was offered for some markets).

The new 240/260 family had been developed with rigorous safety requirements in mind. They were, in fact, so rigorous that the car was used as the standard car for safety developments by the authorities in the USA.

Volvo's 240 model almost became a classic in its own lifetime as it was produced for nearly 20 years. On two occasions, the car was given a major facelift, for the 1981 and 1986 model years. In all, more than 2.8 million cars in the 240/260 series were built.

Technical Specifications
Model: 244
Produced: 1974 - 1993
Volume: 1483399
Body: 4-door saloon
Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line OHV, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC with turbocharging. V6 OHC and 5- or 6-cylinder, in-line OHC diesel engines.
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive, 5-speed manual or 3-speed or 4-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 245

In August 1974, Volvo presented a new generation of cars called the 240 and 260 Series.

In connection with the introduction of the 240 family, a new 4-cylinder engine series with an overhead camshaft was also presented. The previous 4-cylinder was still used during a transitional period for basic versions of the 240-series.

Like the Volvo 244, the 245 could also be specified for a short period with a V6 engine. The market's first 6-cylinder diesel in a passenger car made its appearance in the autumn of 1978 - in the Volvo 240. This was a successful alternative on certain markets where diesel fuel plays an important role.

The new Volvo car family had been developed with rigorous safety requirements. They were, in fact, so rigorous that the car was used as the standard car for safety developments by the authorities in the USA.

However, the Volvo 245 also set the standard when it came to performance. When the turbocharged version of the 245 was presented in 1981, it was one of the world's fastest estates.

On two occasions, the car was given a facelift, for the 1981 and 1986 model years. Towards the end of its life, the 245 experienced something of a renaissance. A version called the Polar became a cult car in Italy.

Technical Specifications
Model: 245
Produced: 1974 - 1993
Volume: 959151
Body: 5-door estate
Engine: 4-cylinder, in-line OHV, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC, 4-cylinder, in-line OHC with turbocharging. V6 OHC and 5- or 6-cylinder, in-line OHC diesel engines.
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive, 5-speed manual or 3-speed or 4-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 262

The Volvo 262 was a rare version in the Volvo 260 family. It was based on the same 2-door body used for the 242, but it naturally had the 260-series components and frontal appearance.

A limited volume of this model was produced specifically for the North American market during a period of two years.

Unlike the Bertone-built 262C (Coupé) the 262 had an identical roofline compared to the 242 model.

Technical Specifications
Model: 262
Produced: 1975 - 1977
Volume: 3329
Body: 2-door saloon
Engine: V6 OHC, 2,664 cc.
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 262C

The Volvo 262C was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in 1977.

The 262C were a 2-door coupé with four comfortable seats; this was possible as the car had the same wheelbase as the Volvo 264. In addition, it had a different roof line from the 4-door cars on which it was based. The windscreen sloped more sharply and the car had a very wide C-pillar. In the first years, the cars were painted silver and had a black vinyl roof. Later, other exterior colours were offered. The interior was very exclusive and included leather and wood.

The car was designed at Volvo in Sweden, but Bertone in Italy produced it.

Technical Specifications
Model: 262C
Produced: 1977 - 1981
Volume: 6622
Body: 2-door coupé
Engine: V6 OHC, 2,664 cc or 2,849 cc.
Transmission: 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 264

The Volvo 264 was introduced in the autumn of 1974 as the successor to the Volvo 164, which was produced simultaneously with the 264 in 1975.

The 164 had been based on the 144 and, in the same way, the 264 was based on the 244. The most striking change was the design of the front with its more prestige-oriented styling.

A completely new engine, the PRV-engine, had been developed for the 264 - a V6 with a displacement of 2.7 litres, made entirely of aluminium and developed in collaboration with Peugeot and Renault.

Technical Specifications
Model: 264
Produced: 1975 - 1982
Volume: 132390
Body: 4-door saloon
Engine: V6 OHC, 2,664 cc or 2,849 cc.
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 265

When Volvo presented its news for the 1976 model year in August 1975, the programme included a new version - the Volvo 265.

For the first time, Volvo was now able to offer an estate with a 6-cylinder engine. The Volvo 265 was based on the basic design of the 245 but in combination with the comfort of a 6-cylinder engine.

With the Volvo 265, Volvo further consolidated its position as one of the leading estate-car manufacturers.

Technical Specifications
Model: 265
Produced: 1975 - 1985
Volume: 35061
Body: 5-door estate
Engine: V6 OHC, 2,664 cc or 2,849 cc.
Transmission: 4-speed manual, 4-speed manual with electrical overdrive or 3-speed automatic.
Brakes: Hydraulic, disc brakes on all four wheels.
Dimensions: Overall length 490 cm,wheelbase 264 cm.

Volvo 240

For model year 1983, the emblem at the rear of all 240 models was changed. No longer did it say 242, 244 or 245. The badge just said 240, as part of a new designation strategy. In reality, however, msot people continued to refer to their cars as a 244 or 245.

This change did not mean any large-scale modification to the cars.

For more information, please see the relevant models; 242, 244 or 245.

Volvo 260

The new strategy for badging the cars in model year 1983 gave us the 260 instead of the 265. Although the 264 was discontinued in 1982, replaced by the Volvo 760 GLE, the 5-door Estate remained in production yet another few years.

No major changes were made to the model.

For more information, please see 265.

Source: Volvo Car Corporation.

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