Performance Review: Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R - [1995]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo 850 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1995. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1996 Ferrari F50 GT1 4.7l V12 and the 1995 McLaren F1 LM 6.1 V12.This particular Volvo 850 has a 2319cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 5 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St5's includes the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo

The 850 shares its Petrol St5 engine configuration with the likes of the 2022 KTM X-Bow GT-XR 2.5 Turbo and the 2018 Audi TT RS 2.5 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 850's Front Wheel Drive, Estate combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1420 kgs (3130 lbs) this makes the Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo 850 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 2319cc 20V St5 engine produces 243 bhp (181 kW) @ 5600 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St5 throws out 300 lb-ft (406.7 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo 850 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (196.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo 850.

The Volvo 850 has a Power to weight ratio of 171.1 bhp per ton and 211.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1995 850 competing with the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf R 2.0 Turbo (196.1 bhp per ton) or the 1965 Ford Mustang Hardtop 289 4.7 V8 (195.9 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo 850 generating around 211.2 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 4.0 997 (236.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (236.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.7 secs, this made the Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R as fast as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2018 Abarth 595 Competizione 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs) the 2016 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R (6.50 secs) the or the 2016 Abarth 124 Spider 1.4 Turbo (6.50 secs). This Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R is also faster than the 2018 Toyota Sequoia TRD Sport 5.7 V8 (6.60 secs) the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI S-tronic Quattro Sportback (6.60 secs) the 2014 Audi A1 1.8 TFSI S-TRONIC (6.60 secs) the and the 2013 Skoda Octavia RS TSI 2.0 Turbo (6.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 850 and the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel

When talking about the performance of the Volvo 850 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.45 secs @ 94.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Diesel (14.41 secs), the 1972 Porsche 911 Carrera 2.7 RS (14.42 secs), and the 1998 Audi A6 4.2 Quattro (14.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1995 version of the Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R has a maximum speed of 144mph.

Top Speed of the 1995 850 equals the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1995 Volvo 850 2.3 T5 R then how about the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (155 mph), the 2023 BMW i7 M70 xDrive G70 (155 mph), or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (155 mph).

Related Links:

1995 850 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison