Volvo 200 Series

Volvo 244 DL ( 1974-1977 )

The Volvo 240 series includes the car models 242, 244 and 245 of the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo. As of early 1982, she was uniformly referred to as 240. It is closely related to the Volvo 260 series

General

The Volvo 240 was the successor to the Volvo 140, on which it was based largely. These is the long construction period from summer 1974 to spring 1993, a total of nearly 19 years. During this time a continuous development and refinement of the model took place. The 240 took over the originally planned as a successor Volvo 740 by about a year.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the 240 was the solid model of Volvo. Especially in the U.S. market was the sedan many buyers as was popular on the European continent, especially the wagon.

The American Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration ) elected in 1976, the Volvo 240 as a reference vehicle for setting future safety standards for passenger cars from. Even 17 years after its launch was the 240 in 1991 by the American Insurance Institute IIHS ( Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) referred to as the safest car on the American market.

Karosserievarianten

The Volvo 240 was available as a two-door sedan 242, as a four-door sedan and five-door station wagon 244 245.

The type designation results from 200 Series 4 -cylinder 2, 4 or 5 doors.

From the beginning of 1982, the model names have been simplified and the reference to the number of doors accounted for. From then on, the car wore only the sales name Volvo 240 in the vehicle documents as type designation continue to " P242 ", " P244 " or " P245 " was entered.

The production of the two-door sedans ran from early 1984, in Germany, the sale of Volvo 242 ended in late 1977.

The four-door sedan was officially offered on the German market until 1991, was to get to the end of production in the spring of 1993, but as a gray import.

Based on the body of the Volvo 244 in August 1974 and the higher positioned sedan Volvo 264 was mid-1975 was followed by the Volvo 265 station wagon

A striking detail is the rear doors of the combination: This, however, has a smooth roof, the top edges of the rear doors follow the rounded shape of the roof sedan. So doors and side windows between the vehicles can be exchanged.

Volvo 245 DL ( 1974-1977 )

Volvo 244 (1977-1981)

Volvo 242 DL ( 1981-1984 )

Volvo 240 (1984-1991)

Volvo 240 Estate ( 1984-1993 )

Features

The equipment lines differed from market to market and varied from model year to model year. On the German market following equipment lines were offered over the years:

• L = Luxe = Easiest equipped with rubber mats instead of carpeting, no clock in the instrument panel. In Germany only as a two-door 242 L available until 1977.

• DL = De Luxe = Basic equipment in Germany from 1974 until 1977.

• DLS = De Luxe Special = At about 1000 pieces limited edition model for the GDR; based on the 244 DL model year 1978, but with the front ( bonnet, headlights, grill) the Volvo 264 provided. The vehicles offered for 42,800 Mark of the GDR were among the few cars from western production that were available in the GDR, and to have been sold out within days.

• GL = Grand Luxe = From 1974 to 1978, including the highest trim line with leather seats and metallic paint. From 1978 downgrade of the basic configuration, similar to the previous equipment line DL.

• GLE = Grand Luxe Executive = From model year 1979 to model year 1983 the highest trim line. Essentially, according to the previous equipment line GL.

• GLT = Grand Luxe Touring = available from model year 1980 to 1984 the sister model to the GLE. No turbo, but a gearbox with shorter translation, which allowed for faster sprints. Slightly higher top speed.

• GT = Grand Tourisme = 1977 published sports model for Switzerland, the U.S. and Canada. Black decorative lines, window frames and bumpers painted black. Painted in silver metallic, for Canada in black. Only two-door 242 GT. Was not in the program in Germany.
• SE = Special Edition = In some markets (Scandinavia, USA ) joined an offered from 1991 model with black trim, black trim lines and special alloy wheels in place of the existing equipment line GLT. It was not available in Germany.

In addition, there were special models for different markets, such as: Classic ( Scandinavia, USA, Switzerland ), Family Edition ( Germany ), polar (Italy, Netherlands), Super Polar ( Italy). These were compared to the standard models is often a much more extensive facilities were but partially also easier equipped.

Engine and transmission

The Volvo 240 was offered with different petrol engines and two diesel engines. In the beginning, the car was sold with the acquisition from the 144er model B20 petrol engine with 60 kW (82 hp) and lower side (lateral ) stirnradgetriebener camshaft. In 1975, the motors of the B21 were then presented. They were modern designed - with cross -flow cylinder head and overhead camshaft toothed belt driven, which operated the valves directly without rocker arms. In some versions were forged instead of cast pistons made ​​of lightweight metal used.

Since the Volvo 240 was also offered in countries where the engine capacity exceeding certain sizes was associated with high taxes, there was, as required many similarly strong versions of B19/21-Motoren. The vehicles currently in Germany of the 2.1 - liter petrol engine ( B21A engine ) carried out in the Model 1975 71 kW (97 hp), from 1976 74 kW (100 hp) and 79 kW from 1979 (107 hp). The 1.9 - liter petrol engine ( B19A engine ), in 1977 the obsolete B20 engine replaced, made ​​66 kW (90 hp). For some markets (Greece, Israel), a 1.7 -liter engine was supplied with carburetor ( B17A engine ).

In addition to the carburettor versions with Stromberg, Zenith and Pierburg carburettors were also motors with K- Jetronic fuel injection systems from Bosch. These engines (engine B21E ) had in model year 1975, a power of 90 kW (123 hp).

In the following years the range of available engines has been extended:

• In addition, a bought- Volkswagen 2.4 -liter diesel inline-six (60 kW / 82 hp) with the sales name "D6 " ( Volvo Engine designation D24 ), which developed for the Volkswagen Transporter Type LT and also in the model year 1979 was offered this has been inserted. Despite the six cylinder remained with the respective model names, eg 245 GL D6 (not about 265 GL). This engine was built with only five cylinders and Volvo used in some countries (Italy, Finland). This was due to the above -mentioned taxation rules according to engine size. The five-cylinder version called D20 had about 2 liters. At the time of introduction of the D24 engine, Volvo was the first car manufacturer who had a six-cylinder diesel engine in the range, even before BMW (1982) and Mercedes -Benz (1985). Number of cylinders and displacement of the D6 fit well with the image of Volvo. However, the modification of the VW design proved to be not fully suitable for gas and as far less durable than gasoline engines offered. Frequently warped cylinder heads were lost due to the low oil and coolant levels.

• For the model year 1981, the petrol turbo engine (Engine B21ET ) with 114 kW was presented (155 hp).

• For the model year 1982 the engine capacity was increased to 2.3 liters regularly ( B23a engines, B23E ). However, the B23E engine was on the German market already previously available in model years 1979 and 1980 in the model " 244 GLT ".

• For the model year 1985, the engines were revised in the fall of 1984. From the B2x engines, the engines were B2XX.

• For the model year 1986 Bosch LH -Jetronic and three-way catalytic converter with Lambda probe were introduced ( Germany ). The engine designations in question denominated B200F and B230F. The series was 200 delivered with catalytic converter and lambda probe since 1976 ( model year 1977) in the United States. This Volvo is one of the pioneers in the field of emission control.

In the last years of production from 1990, in Germany the B230F four-cylinder petrol engine with 2316 cc capacity (power 83 to 85 kW = 113 to 116 hp, depending on model) and the six-cylinder diesel engine D24 with 2383 cc capacity ( power 60 kW = 82 PS) most commonly sold.

The four-cylinder petrol engines mileages of over 300,000 kilometers of the normal case, about 500,000 kilometers were not uncommon.

All engines were initially with a 4 -speed transmission (type M45 ) or alternatively with a 4 1 overdrive transmission (type M46, 4 -speed transmission identical to M45, downstream Overdrive Laycock de Normanville, common oil circuit ) or with a 3- speed automatic transmission ( type BW 35 and BW 55) BorgWarner available ( D24 engine: only M46 and BW 55). Later, it was parallel to the M46 gearbox 5- speed gearbox (type M47 ) offered and the obsolete Borg Warner automatic system to a modern and robust 4- speed automatic transmission from Aisin - Warner ( type AW 70 and AW 71) replaced. All gear, even the manually shifted, were lubricated with ATF. The coupling of the manually shifted versions was operated hydraulically at the left-hand drive usually means of a rope, the right-hand drive.

Volvo 240 in motorsport

1983, the first Volvo 240 was used by the private Swedish TL Racing AB team to FIA Group A rules in the European Touring Car Championship ( ETCC ). Against strong opposition from BMW, Jaguar and Rover Volvo reached a 7th place at Donington Park.

1986 should be a season of scandals for Volvo. After Eggenberger was changed to Ford and the Belgian RAS team had taken over the business use, though could be tied with five finished at No. 1 race on the successes of the previous season, but Irregularien in tank size and fuel used led to disqualifications. The two victories in the Swedish Anderstorp and Austria on the ring were disallowed by the FIA ​​, the driver of the RAS team lost the championship won believed, and Volvo finished at the end of his work commitment. The 1st place in Zolder in 1986, where two years earlier had won for the first time a Volvo in the then pinnacle of touring car racing, should be the last success of the 350 -hp 240 Turbo. Also impressive are the successes that have been achieved with a 240 - models in high-profile national championships. So won by Stureson 1985, the German Touring Car Championship DTM in 1986 and Robbie Francevic won the Australian touring car championship. In addition, Volvo presented with Gianfranco Brancatelli in 1985 and 1986 respectively Johnny Cecotto the winner of the legendary Macau Guia Race. Thus, the Volvo 240 Turbo was the mid-eighties of the most successful touring car world. Today, the Volvo 240, among others, the VOC (Volvo Original Cup) is employed.

Market situation

The 240 was very popular because of its enormous space available, especially the wagon. He stood out because of its functional design of his former competitors from clear and was on the European continent as a car for individualists, while the image of a vehicle for " everyone" has in the Nordic countries. The solid construction on the one hand and the introduction of innovative safety technology on the other hand, he contributed greatly to the reputation as a manufacturer of Volvo's cars safer. The last models of the Volvo 240 could be ordered ( with ABS and airbags) with an extensive safety equipment as an accessory.

The 200 series sank after the end of production on the second hand market due to the last vanishingly low registration figures in Germany into insignificance. Only the combination was due to its generous cargo capacity sporadically buyer. Since 2004, however, a significant increase in the used-vehicle prices can be observed. In particular, well-maintained vehicles, with luxurious facilities from the last years of production, achieve top prices in the market. The supply of spare parts (2008) still be described today as well, since many components of the 200 series, especially engines and transmissions, virtually unchanged in the 700 series were further use.

Vehicles with B230F engine can be re-encrypt an upgrade in the Emission class Euro 2. The same applies to vehicles with the B200F engine, which was never officially offered in Germany. Vehicles with Diesel engine D24 are not convertible and thus subject to the motor vehicle tax ceiling for diesel cars.

Vehicles of the first model years are now eligible for registration as a classic car in Germany by means of an authorization pursuant to § 23 traffic regulations. This reduces the motor vehicle tax rate to 191 € / year.