Introduction speech for the Volvo 960 launch, Monterey June-July 1994

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and much welcome to Monterey and
to the Volvo Car Corporation.

As you have noticed, we have chosen a classic place for our launch.

Classic in history, classic in literature , classic in films and also

classic in its own right today. Because this is one of the most

beautiful spots in the country.

Consequently, this area provided the exciting background for several

novels by Nobel prize-winning author John Steinbeck. Like the famous

"Cannery Row".

When the main character Mack and his lazy friends set out from Cannery

Row in Monterey, John Steinbeck provided them with things mechanical

that bore very little resemblance to a car.

I can promise you that we have no such intentions here today.

On the contrary.

Today we will let you out on to the roads of Mack and his friends in a

completely different vehicle:

The new Volvo 960 - our top-of-the line car - in its 1995 livery.

A car developed during a time that perhaps may be described as

"Steinbeckian ".
A time affected by a recession that covered the world like a heavy

blanket. A blanket which we have just thrown aside.

A car that was to be ready for launch on the market when things turned

to the better.

The Volvo Group of Companies, in which the Volvo Car Corporation is

one, learned the meaning of world recession the hard way.

And we were among the first to be hit, already at the end of the 80's.

The decline in sales led to overcapacity in terms of both work force

and production facilities.

We faced problems both at home and on almost all our markets.

And we were losing blood like many others.

But as you know the saying goes: In wartime you prepare for peace, and

in peacetime you prepare for war.

It is simply a matter of a rock-solid strategy and flexible tactics;

to be able to look ahead and adjust quick enough to cope with the

situation.

So in parallel to launching the predecessor of today's star in 1990,

Volvo started on the huge task of slimming the operations.

To adjust with times, both present and the future.

To reduce costs, cut leadtimes and make production lean.

Still, at the same time develop and offer new and attractive cars to

the market. Safe and comfortable cars that are fun to drive and use.

Cars offering good value for money. Cars like the Volvos of today.
The Volvo 850, launched in 1991 has worked extremely well for us.

However it can not work the market on its own.

We need a strong presence in several customer segments. Our customers,

their needs and demands have to be clearly identified and aimed at

with the right products.

It is very much a matter of life-cycles. Not only for the cars, but

for the customers too. To be able to cover the customer's life-cycle

with various products depending on demands.

To be able to offer the right car for the right customer, when he or

she wants it:

Like a sporty Volvo 850 T-5 for the young couple; the safe and roomy

family estate some years later; the fast and comfortable 960 for those

who seek smooth and prestigeoas motoring.

Therefore the product development work has to be spread across the

model range, and also diverted into new product lines for the future

as well.

So during the gloom of the early 90's, we decided to strengthen our

potentials in the upper family, or comfort car, segment and be ready

when times turned to the better.

Although having a newly-launched first-class car available, we decided

to start the work from the ground.

About two years of intensive planning, designing, testing and

production resulted in what is virtually a new car.

And it was all achieved by using money very wisely. To concentrate

where customers would benefit in terms of characteristics, freedom of

choice and value for money; to improve within the areas we know could

be improved with excellent results:

1400 new components, or delivery units, have gone into the new 960.

I think I can summarize the new 960 with one word, EXPERIENCE

It is:

- The experience of motoring pleasure, both behind the wheel and in

the rear seat

- The experience of the car's road behaviour, the feeling of comfort

and care that is experienced from the inside.

- The experience of driving a reliable, high quality car that offers

excellent service plus something more that is difficult to define.

Maybe feelings or a certain state of mind.

Yet several characteristics can be clearly defined. They are very

concrete.

Like the chassis:

Although based on the previous concept it is totally new.

A completely different set-up with new geometry, featuring wider track

and improved suspension, has worked wonders.

The car rolls less, steers almost neutral, is less sensitive to tough

road conditions and it even has a smaller turning circle than before!
The new front suspension has new-designed lower wishbones and an

integrated anti-roll bar. Together with a tubular crossmember under

the engine it forms a sturdy unit, like a subframe.

The crossmember also acts as an important element for dissipating

crash energy in frontal collisions.

The location of the steering gear and a new gearing on top of that

have cut the turning circle further down, to an incredible 9.7 metres.

CAN YOU THINK OF A CAR OF THIS SIZE THAT CAN BEAT THAT?

IF YOU CAN, I REALLY WANT YOU TO LET US KNOW, BECAUSE WE CAN'T!

The rear axle represents the new generation of our multi-link

suspension.

It features an aluminium-alloy frame and a composite transverse leaf

spring instead of a steel frame and conventional steel coil springs.

Not only does this cut the weight by some 11 kgs but it also improve

the handling significantly during all driving conditions.

Just ask those who drive around in the other car on the market that

features a transverse composite spring at the rear.

I am also happy to announce that the 960 estate now has been fitted

with the multi-link rear suspension too.

Thanks to all this in combination with a more effective braking system

and the neutral steering the new 960 performs extremely well.
On twisting country roads or motorways alike. You will experience it

yourselves shortly.

The chassis of a car means much, but of course, engines and

transmissions are also vital when it comes to a car's performance.

And the customers in this segment want power to be at hand at all

times and delivered without noise. Smooth and snappy.

Our in-line silk-smooth sixes still provide the power in the Volvo

960.

However, the much praised 3 litre engine has now been added company by

a smaller version in order to offer better possibilities of having the

car tailored to your own requirements.

The new engine is a 2.5 litre version with an output of 170 hp and a

maximum torque of 230 Nm at 4,400 revs.

The capacity has been obtained by slightly reducing the bore and

shortening the stroke.

Without affecting the engine's excellent flexibility, of course.

The levels of power and torque are ample for most drivers and make

driving relaxing, yet exciting.

Except for the bore and stroke the two engines are identical:
Technically advanced, light, clean, silent, smooth and powerful with

very small service requirements.

A truly modern design for discerning drivers.

Another important novelty is the possibility to have a manual gearbox

for those who prefer this.

The 5-speed manual can be combined with the 2.5 litre engine and it is
of the same compact design as the 850 gearbox. But here of course it

is longitudinally installed.

Otherwise the 960 uses the electronically controlled four-speed

automatic that is both well-proven and very efficient. With ultra-

smooth gear-changes and a swift torque converter.

But as I said earlier, we want to offer the customer a choice.

This freedom of choice is very much obvious if we step inside the new
960.

The selection of trim levels, materials and colours enable the

customer to select what he or she prefer and combine it.

For instance with a leather steering-wheel, with one of the most

advanced climate units on the market and some elegant and practical

accessories.

Choose from comfortable plush or elegant leather upholsteries in two

versions. Maybe you prefer a light coloured steering wheel and seat

belts to match. And some elegant burr walnut on doors and dash.
As you understand, the new 960 is able to cater for most tastes not

only technically but also on the inside. Here you can really talk

about tailor-made to your choice.

Also to provide an experience of roomy comfort in safety.

And for all who travel in the car too. Not only the driver but the

passengers as well. Irrespective of age and built.

For instance, through the Volvo child seat programme which provides

safe and comfortable travel for babies, in our most recently developed

child seat, up to the integrated booster cushion in the rear armrest

for bigger children.

Safety is one of those areas in which you constantly improve. However

the results are rarely to be seen. And to be honest, they shouldn't

show. Only work when they are needed.

The new 960 has been highly improved in terms of both dynamic safety

and crash safety.

Having already talked about the new chassis, I would also like to

mention the high level of passenger protection:

- A new design of the front side and cross members provide excellent

protection in both head on and off-set collisions, by efficiently

absorbing and distributing the impact forces away from the occupants.
- The now famous Volvo SIPS system has also been further worked on.

Several reinforcements have been added into the structure and the

doors have more absorbents.

And all this in a design which ALREADY is one of the best cars in

terms of crash safety on the market today.

The new look of the inner door panels plays an important role in this

connection.

Not only have they been completely re-designed, with a better look and

more comfort, but their shape and function are also of vital

importance for the function of the SIPS system.

You see, nothing in a Volvo car looks or functions the way it does by

mere coincidence.

Everything that goes into a Volvo has been thoroughly developed,

tested and tested all over again.

Therefore I just like to add that your cup of coffee or soft drink

will stay safely in place in our new accessory cup holder;

an item which I know is very much in demand in many places nowadays.

Let me round off this tour of the new 960 on the outside of the car.

I know that it is very tempting for you to say:

"So what's new about it, then?"

I say, take another look! You'll discover that the body has undergone

a lot of treatment.

The new front, with its slimmer head lamps, the new grille and bumpers

are discreet hints of what lies underneath the exterior, and what have

gone inside the car.

But not only have the eyes a lot to discover. Even more important is

the fact that

I can promise you a new experience the moment you lift your foot off

the brake pedal, or let up the clutch.

As I said before, some fifty per cent of the components are new, and

the rest have been cleverly treated and fine-tuned. The result speaks

for itself.

The new 960 is an excellent example of the new Volvo Car Corporation

that has emerged from the past, company and products alike.

Because the 960 is:

Money spent very efficiently by a dedicated and highly-skilled project

group over a short period of time, resulting in a modern and very

competitive product with a clear Volvo-identity. And with the customer

in focus.

Of course, I will leave it for you to decide, But I can proudly say

that the Volvo 960 is motoring at its best.

Comfort - Motoring pleasure - Value for money by freedom o choice.

The key words of our new representative in the upper family car and

comfort segment - the new Volvo 960.

Thank you, and drive safely.

940615/CR
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

PRESS INFORMATION - VOLVO 960 1995

1. The new Volvo 960 - Motoring at its best

2. Classical styling combines flair with good sense

3. Well-planned design produces motoring pleasure and safety

4. Chassis improvements for enhanced driving pleasure

and greater driving safety

5. New, smaller six-cylinder and manual gearbox -

New features on the Volvo 960

6. Six-cylinder engines - A proud Volvo tradition

7. Technical specifications

8. Illustrations
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

THE NEW VOLVO 960 - MOTORING AT ITS BEST

Motoring is an essential factor if our modern society is to function.

However, car driving and travelling by car can vary enormously
depending on the situation.

The new Volvo 960 makes getting from A to B a delight, regardless

of the situation; the safe and effective combination of pleasure and
enjoyment.

The Volvo 960 is the largest member of Volvo's range of safe family cars.
The Volvo 960 has a six-cylinder engine, it is based on refined technology and
is outstandingly comfortable and classically elegant.

Greater freedom of choice and new technology

The 1995 model of the new Volvo 960 now offers customers even greater
freedom of choice when it comes to specifications and equipment, not least as
a result of a new engine alternative and the introduction of a manual gearbox.
This means that them-line, 3-litre, six-cylinder, which has previously
characterised the 960, is now being supplemented by a new, smaller
six-cylinder engine. At the same time, a manual gearbox is available for the
first time in the 960.

The engine and gearbox are components which are hidden under the surface,
but the large-scale modifications can already be seen on the exterior of the
car.
The sober, elegant language of design of the previous model has been
maintained and refined. The lines are softer and blend together in a total
harmony which is underlined by the uniform colour scheme.
 2
At the same time, the elegance is governed by functionality. The Volvo 960 is
a large car with all the benefits that entails in terms of generous amounts of
interior space and an impressively large luggage compartment. When it comes
to handling, however, the 960 is a small car with an outstandingly tight turning
circle and precise, responsive steering which, combined with the distinct
styling, makes the car easy to manoeuvre in every traffic situation.

The new appearance has primarily been achieved by the creation of a new
front. The whole of the front has been given softer lines; the wings, bonnet,
grille and bumpers surround lower headlight units. The bumpers are
colour-keyed to match the paintwork and there is a narrow, contrasting
chromium strip in the front and rear bumpers and in the side mouldings. The
area between the tail-light units on the saloon model has a new design with a
unifying line between the edges.

This new appearance gives the car a lower profile; it emphasises the power
without being heavy. It conveys a sense of elegance and efficiency. And it
demonstrates the family affiliation with pride.
A number of new exterior colours help to create an impression of greater
vitality.

Change of interior setting

The new Volvo 960 also features changes to the interior. Never before has a
Volvo passenger compartment offered such a high level of comfort combined
with such tasteful interior design alternatives. With practical use and fine
ergonomics as the focal point.
For many years, the Volvo driver's area has been the epitome when it comes
to handling and safety - and the same thing is naturally true of the new Volvo
960. The setting is, however, different; more flair without sacrificing any of the
practical aspects.
 3
The basic design of the dashboard and the location of the instrumentation and
controls is the same as before, but a whole host of details have been changed.
The adjustable steering wheel has an entirely new design with a hub which has
been given softer lines.
The sides of the doors are also new and softer with their easy-to-grip handles,
comfortable armrests and door pockets. The decor varies according to the
interior - from textile to leather with walnut inlays.
Great emphasis has been placed on all the interior fittings with a view to
combining comfort with quality and easy use.

The interior is available in three different versions and in several colours.

Black, grey and beige can be varied in terms of materials between two
different types of plush upholstery and leather upholstery. The cut and grades
of plush differ from the previous versions and the leather upholstery has
pleated seams.
In the beige and grey versions, the safety belts, steering wheel and upper
section of the dashboard are also colour-keyed to create a more harmonious
design.

Every interior is characterised by superb ride comfort as a result of seats

which have the correct ergonomic design and are comfortable at the same
time. The fine design of the various details, the low noise levels and the
feeling of being in a luxurious, safe environment also help to create the
top-class comfort.

The climate in the passenger compartment also has a vital effect on the
comfort level. The Volvo 960 is available with three different climate units
where personal preference will govern the choice between fully-automatic
climate control and two manual alternatives, with or without air conditioning.
It goes without saying that these systems are CFC-free.
 4
Ride comfort and driving comfort are largely dependent on the chassis and
wheel suspension systems. It is a question of striking an incredibly difficult and
sensitive balance between the two.
Of choosing the correct settings, hardness and components. The chassis and
wheel suspension have to contribute to a high level of active safety. The
driving characteristics and road performance have to be reliable and safe. No
matter whether you are driving on Continental motorways or executing difficult
parking manoeuvres in congested city centres.

In the new Volvo 960, the front chassis has been improved. The spring struts
have lower wishbones and the heaviest components, which face backwards and
inwards, are attached by rubber bushings to a cross member which runs across
the car. Together with the actual front member, the wheel suspension thus
creates a stable subframe of much the same type as the one in the Volvo 850.
A powerful anti-roll bar counteracts body movements and this new front-wheel
suspension has helped to make the Volvo 960 easier to manoeuvre while
cornering with improved steering response and greater flexibility.

Rack and pinion power steering makes the car easy to steer with the same fine
road contact in every situation. New front chassis geometry has made it
possible to reduce what was already an impressively tight turning circle still
further - it is now just 9.7 metres! On a car with a wheelbase of 277 cm.

At the rear, all the versions of the 960 now feature the second generation of
Volvo's superb Multilink rear-wheel suspension - this also includes the estate.
Multilink combines the best of two worlds in that it moves independently,
thereby giving the car an extremely high level of comfort, while track and
wheel angles are affected only very slightly by loads and driving as a result of
the axle design.

The new version of Multilink also weighs less because the coil springs which
previously surrounded the shock absorbers have now been replaced by a
 5
transverse leaf spring made of composite material. This leaf spring is both light
and very strong and has excellent suspension characteristics.

An anti-roll bar counteracts rolls tendencies in the rear chassis. Needless to

say, the brake system is an excellent match for the other components and the
performance of the car. Powerful discs all round, ventilated at the front, with
ABS as standard.

It goes without saying that the top-class driving safety in the Volvo 960 is
naturally matched by crash safety of the very highest class. Large crumple
zones at the front and rear combined with a powerful basic structure and the
SIPS side impact protection system provide outstanding protection for
everyone in the car in every collision situation.

Every seat is equipped with a three-point belt and head restraint, even in the
estate, and there are belt pretensioners on the front seats. An airbag is
standard on the driver's side, whereas it is either standard or optional on the
passenger side. The same thing applies to Volvo's integrated child booster
cushion in the centre rear armrest.
Needless to say, the rest of Volvo's child safety programme comprising
meticulously-tested products which have been developed for and tested in
Volvo cars is also available.

New, small six-cylinder

A new, small 2.5-litre engine, known as the B6254 FS, is being introduced. It
develops 170 bhp at 5,700 rpm. Maximum torque is 230 Nm at 4,400 rpm and,
when it comes to the generous torque curve, priority has been given to the low
and intermediate engine speed range.
This engine is identical in every way to the larger version, apart from the fact
that the stroke has been reduced to 80 mm and the bore to 81 mm, this
produces a displacement of 2,473 cc.
 6
The larger engine version with a displacement of 3.0 litres is the one which is
already available in the Volvo 960. It has an output of 204 bhp at 6,000 rpm
and a maximum torque of 270 Nm at 4,100 rpm. Unlike the 2.5-litre version,
this engine has a long stroke of 90 mm.

Both engines offer the characteristic features of a six-cylinder engine, such as

silky-soft and stable operation, smoothness, flexibility and a speedy response to
the throttle throughout the engine speed range.
What's more, it is all produced in an environmentally-compatible manner.
The engine is controlled by the most modern technology available when it
comes to management and regulation and this results in extremely moderate
fuel consumption and low emissions.

Fuel consumption and emissions are also largely a result of the transmission.
Volvo is aware of this and has therefore chosen transmissions with the kind of
function that enables fuel consumption to be optimised and emissions to be
kept down.

In most versions, the Volvo 960 has an automatic gearbox as standard, but
with the 2.5-litre engine it can also be specified with a manual gearbox. This
gearbox is extremely compact as it is based on the special gearbox design in
the Volvo 850. It has five speeds, synchronised reverse gear and is both quick
and easy to operate.

When it comes to function, the automatic gearbox can only be described as a

small miracle of adaptation and flexibility. It has three optional driving
programs,depending on the circumstances, as well as a number of other
automatic functions. Should a defect occur, it is naturally possible to get to the
car to a workshop without the support of the electronic system.
In some cases a differential brake which counteracts wheel spin on slippery
surfaces is standard; in others it can be specified as extra equipment.
Complete car family
With the new Volvo 960, Volvo is establishing an entire car family in the
segment comprising large family/comfort/prestige cars, as a result of the
tremendous freedom of choice available.
This will significantly sharpen the company's competitive edge, as well as
improving its market potential, as a larger group of customers is now being
offered the chance to choose a six-cylinder Volvo.

The range spans virtually everything from a 2.5-litre four-door model with a
manual gearbox and tricot plush upholstery to a fully-equipped 3-litre estate
with a four-speed automatic.

Regardless of the version and the specifications the customer chooses, the
common denominator for the new Volvo 960 is quality, safety and comfort
levels which are out of the ordinary combined with driving and travelling
pleasure. Motoring at its very best.

940620/CR/JK
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

CLASSICAL STYLING COMBINES FLAIR WITH GOOD SENSE

The Volvo 960 is not an exponent of short-lived design trends.

Volvo's most exclusive model has a timeless design which is linked
to the present day without being dependent on it. In the 1995
version, this is even clearer than before.

The sober, elegant language of design of the previous model has been
maintained and refined. The 960 radiates a sense of classical design. The lines
are softer and blend together in a total harmony which is underlined by the
uniform colour scheme.
The exterior colour now also includes the whole of the bumper sections, the
side mouldings, door handles and exterior rearview mirrors. The result is an
impression of restrained elegance; peaceful to look at, inviting to study in
closer detail.

At the same time, the elegance is governed by functionality. The Volvo 960 is
a large car with all the benefits that entails in terms of generous amounts of
interior space and an impressively large luggage compartment. When it comes
to handling, however, the 960 is a small car with an outstandingly tight turning
circle and precise, responsive steering which, combined with the distinct
styling, makes the car easy to manoeuvre in every traffic situation.

Change in styling -- in the right places

Modifications to the styling and to details in the design of the 960 have been
made whenever they could result in improvements. As both the 4-door and
5-door versions have been given an extensive facelift, some of the changes
differ between the two models owing to differences in the exterior and
interior.
 2
The 960's new appearance has primarily been achieved by the creation of a
new front, together with changes along the sides and at the rear.
The whole of the front has been given softer lines; the wings, bonnet, grille
and bumpers surround lower headlight units.
Developments in lighting technology have enabled the headlights to be
reduced in size, but, at the same time, they have been made even more
effective following a change in the design of the reflectors.

The glass which covers the indicators is now transparent and the actual bulb is
now orange instead, thereby reinforcing the effect of the bodywork colour.

Uniform colour scheme with discreet contrasts

The bumpers are colour-keyed to match the paintwork and there is a narrow,
contrasting chromium strip in the front and rear bumpers and in the side
mouldings which creates a unifying line right round the car. On the estate, this
line only runs along the front and sides, however.

A similar line in contrasting grey is formed by the lower edges on both the
bottom rails and the front and rear spoilers.
There are double foglamps in the front spoiler; they are either standard or
optional depending on the market and the model version.

At the rear, the styling modifications are somewhat more restrained. The area
between the tail-light units on the saloon model has a new design with a soft
unifying line between the edges.

On the estate, a narrow spoiler has been fitted along the top edge of the rear
window and from behind it gives the optical impression of "lowering" the car.
This spoiler and the tailgate handle are the same colour as the car.
Rails for the estate are now available in colour-keyed versions.
 3
On both versions the orange field in the tail-light units has been replaced by
transparent glass with orange bulbs underneath, to avoid disrupting the
uniformity of the overall colour scheme.

This new appearance gives the car a lower profile; it emphasises the power
without being heavy. It conveys a sense of elegance and efficiency. And it
demonstrates the family affiliation with pride. The classical Volvo grille has
been framed in such a way that it closely resembles that of the other family
members in the 850 and 400 Series. The new front underlines the family ties
still further.

New, elegant exterior colours

The choice of exterior colour plays a decisive part in the impression created by
the styling of a car. A number of new exterior colours help to create an
impression of greater vitality.

The previous metallic colours silver and silver grey have been replaced by a
new colour, Silver Sand, and blue-green and dark red metallic have been
deleted. The elegant pearlised colours Regent Red, Aubergine and Dark Olive
Pearl have been added.
The solid colour range still comprises black, white, bright red and dark blue.

Entirely new wheels

Every version of the new 960 has new wheels.
A 15" steel wheel with a flush-fitting hubcap and 195/65 tyres is standard.
Depending on the equipment level, the other alternatives are aluminium
wheels in both 15- and 16-inch versions for 195/65 and 205/55 tyres.

Durable bodywork
Most of the body is made of galvanised steel sheet. The actual zinc coating
varies depending on the level of exposure; it is, for example, thicker on the
floor pan and thicker under the shock absorber line than above it. Large parts
 4

of the body components are also made of HSS (High Strength Steel), which
has first-class characteristics when it comes to the relationship between
strength and weight.

Galvanisation, combined with the primer, elastic stone-chip paint, surfacer and
top coat, gives the Volvo 960 outstanding resistance to exterior damage for a
very long time.
Underseal is applied using the hot melt method which requires no solvents
whatsoever and the work is done by robots.
The painting also takes place with a minimum of emissions in Volvo's new
paintshop, the most modern in the automotive industry.

940620/CR/JK
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

WELL-PLANNED DESIGN PRODUCES MOTORING PLEASURE AND

SAFETY

A good car is built using a combination of experience and new

ideas.
In the new 960, the good design solutions have been retained,
refined and improved. Wherever better alternatives have been
developed, they have replaced the previous solutions. Which
explains why the new 960 is a combination of new approaches and
established systems and solutions.

Comfort is not a luxury. Not in a Volvo. Comfort is a natural component of

the total experience which comes from driving and travelling in a Volvo car.
Comfort is also very much a safety factor; the importance of feeling in good
form behind the wheel, of being able to rely on the car. Comfort is also one of
the key words when it comes to any description of the new Volvo 960.

You feel it without seeing it

Ride and driving comfort call for a solution which unites a reliable and stable
chassis with convincing road performance, a comfortable interior and low noise
levels inside the car. The foundations are laid under the car, but the results
are experienced inside it.
The new features in the Volvo 960 can be most clearly experienced behind the
wheel. The driver's area, the choice of materials, the appearance, the details,
the function, the overall character...

Three alternative interiors

There are now three interior designs to choose from. To enable the customer
to adapt the car to match his own tastes and requirements, three different
 2
interior trim levels in a number of different colours are available. All three
radiate a sense of comfort -- as well as flair. Top-class function need not
preclude attractive styling.

Leather upholstery with walnut inlays in the doors and dashboard is the most
exclusive alternative, followed by a high-class, single-coloured plush upholstery
and tricot plush upholstery with a discreet, non-figurative pattern. In the beige
and grey versions, the steering wheel, upper section of the dashboard and the
safety belts are also colour-keyed.

All the seats have an anatomically-correct design. The range of adjustments on

the front seats is virtually limitless and it is possible to specify either manual
or electrical adjustment. The electrical system also features a memory function
for the driver's seat in which three pre-programmed settings, within the same
family, for example, can be stored.

Travelling in comfort and safety

Every seat is equipped with a three-point belt and head restraint, even in the
estate, and there are belt pretensioners on the front seats. An airbag is
standard on the driver's side, whereas it is either standard or optional on the
passenger side. The same thing applies to Volvo's integrated child booster
cushion in the centre rear armrest.
It goes without saying that the rest of Volvo's child safety programme
comprising meticulously-tested products is also available.

Never before has a Volvo passenger compartment offered such a high level of
comfort combined with such tasteful interior design. At the same time,
attention has focused on the practical features, top-class ergonomics and, of
course, safety.
 3
Making an excellent driver's area even better
For many years, the Volvo driver's area has set the standard when it comes to
handling and safety and the same thing is naturally true of the new Volvo
960.
The basic design of the dashboard and the location of the instrumentation and
controls is the same as before, but a whole host of details have been changed.
The steering wheel, which can be adjusted for height, has an entirely new
design with a hub which has been given softer lines.
The buttons and controls have the same location as before, but many of them
have been given a more user-friendly design.

The sides of the doors are also new and softer with their easy-to -grip handles,
comfortable armrests and door pockets. The decor varies according to the
interior - from textile to walnut inlays and leather.
The controls for the window winders and electrically-operated rearview mirrors
are located in the armrests in the doors.
At the bottom of the front doors there are spacious storage compartments with
rounded edges and one pair of the audio system loudspeakers are positioned
at the front edges.

Great emphasis has been placed on all the interior fittings with a view to
combining comfort with quality and easy use, as a result of ingenious design
solutions, low noise levels and the feeling of being in a luxurious and safe
environment.

Top-class climate control essential to safety

For many years now, Volvo has maintained that climate comfort is not only
important when it comes to travelling pleasure and enjoyment but that it is
also a safety factor. The comfort level inside the car is largely determined by
the interior climate and this also has a significant effect on the driver. For this
reason, the heating and ventilation system has to be both efficient and easy to
use, despite the frequent complexity of the technology it incorporates.
 4
The Volvo 960 is available with three different climate units where the
customer's wishes govern the choice between fully-automatic climate control
and two manual alternatives, with or without air conditioning. It goes without
saying that these systems are CFC-free.

ECC Electronic Climate Control is Volvo's fully-automatic climate

control system where all the driver needs to do is select the temperature. In
the automatic mode, the system takes care of everything else, regardless of
whether the driver has chosen heat or air conditioning, the defroster or cool
air round his feet.

MCC - Manual Climate Control requires a little more work on the part of
the driver, fan speed, air distribution and temperature, but it has the same
effect and functions.

All three systems feature a function which permits the full recirculation of the
air inside the car.

The hot air and fresh air reach the passenger compartment through a large
number of strategically-positioned vents and, as there are so many vents, the
capacity is impressive. Large amounts of air are therefore able to reach the
passenger compartment quietly and without draughts, as the systems are not
obliged to operate at high air speeds.

Loading easily and ergonomically

A car in the Volvo 960 class needs plenty of luggage space and the Volvo 960
has it, both in terms of volume and when it comes to the opportunity to make
use of it.

In the saloon model, the boot holds no less than 471 litres and is easy to load
as a result of the low sill. In the estate, the load capacity is almost unlimited.
With the rear seat upright, it can take 1,113 litres, but the amount of space
 5
can naturally be extended to suit individual needs and requirements.
The rear seat split folds 2/1 with the small section on the right. Folding down
all or part of the rear seat produces a load length of 182 cm. The rear head
restraints retract automatically into the backrest when it is folded down and
the floor is therefore completely flat.

There are also a large number of small storage compartments under the
luggage compartment floor where all kinds of useful and necessary items can
be kept, pockets on the back of the front seat backrests, the storage
compartments in the front doors and in the console between the front seats.
This storage compartment can also be equipped with a comfortable armrest
containing a practical cup holder.

940620/CR /JK
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

CHASSIS IMPROVEMENTS FOR ENHANCED DRIVING PLEASURE AND

GREATER DRIVING SAFETY

Ride comfort and driving comfort are dependent to a very large

degree on the chassis and wheel suspension systems. It is a question
of striking an incredibly difficult and sensitive balance between the
two.

The chassis and wheel suspension have to contribute to a high level of active
safety. The driving characteristics and road performance have to be reliable
and safe. Regardless of the situation - from high-speed driving on motorways
to winding, narrow mountain roads.

A large number of important improvements have been made to vital chassis

components at the front and rear alike to improve the characteristics of the
new Volvo 960 still further.

New front-wheel suspension

Most of the front chassis has been redesigned, even if the basic principle still
constitutes spring struts with telescopic shock absorbers. They are surrounded
by asymmetrically-positioned coil springs. This system requires little space and
produces both top-class ride comfort and a well-balanced front chassis with
good response.

The spring struts have been equipped with lower wishbones and the heaviest
components, which face backwards and inwards, are attached by rubber
bushings to a tubular cross member which runs across the car.
Together with the actual front member, which contains two engine mountings
and the steering gear, the wheel suspension thus creates a stable subframe. In
its design and structure it closely resembles the one in the Volvo 850.
 2
A powerful anti-roll bar counteracts lateral body movements. Like the 850, the
Volvo 960 also has rods located between the anti-roll bar and the spring strut
to counteract the tendency the car displays to lift and kneel at full throttle or
when braking really hard.

Taken as a whole, this new front-wheel suspension has helped to make the
Volvo 960 easier to manoeuvre while cornering with improved steering
response and greater flexibility.

Rack and pinion power steering is precise, well-balanced and smooth. It makes
the car easy to steer with the same fine road contact in every situation. In a
serious collision, the steering column collapses and is therefore unable to
penetrate the passenger compartment.

New front chassis geometry has made it possible to reduce what was already
an impressively tight turning circle still further - it is now just 9.7 metres! An
impressive figure for a car with a wheelbase of 277 cm and a total length of
almost five metres.

Second generation of Multilink

At the rear, we find Volvo's superb independent rear-wheel suspension
system, Multilink, in a version which has now been further developed. It is
used on all the versions of the 960, including the estate.

Multilink combines the best of two worlds in that it moves independently,

thereby giving the car an extremely high level of comfort, while track and
wheel angles are affected only very slightly by loads and driving as a result of
the axle design.
A powerful anti-roll bar counteracts roll in the rear chassis when cornering.

For anyone who is used to driving with the car heavily laden, automatic
levelling, Nivomat, is an excellent option which simplifies and improves
 3
driving. This system is standard on some versions. Nivomat increases the
damping function of the shock absorbers automatically depending on the load.
Ground clearance thus remains unchanged and oncoming motorists are not
dazzled by headlights which point upwards instead of straight ahead.

Lighter and smaller

The new version of Multilink also weighs less because the coil springs which
previously surrounded the shock absorbers have now been replaced by a
transverse leaf spring made of composite material. This leaf spring is both light
and very strong and has excellent suspension characteristics. It is located
between the wheels under the halfshafts.

Components made of cast aluminium also help to keep the weight down and
strong yet lightweight materials have made it possible to create a more
compact construction. This means that less space is needed. The 80-litre fuel
tank is positioned in front of the rear axle where it is well-protected.

It goes without saying that the brake system in the Volvo 960 is an excellent
match for the other components and the performance of the car. Powerful
discs all round, ventilated at the front, with ABS as standard and an automatic
reduction valve which distributes the braking force correctly if the driver
brakes hard.

Crash safety of the highest class

Needless to say, the top-class driving safety in the Volvo 960 is matched by
crash safety of the very highest class. Large crumple zones at the front and
rear combined with a powerful basic structure and the SIPS side impact
protection system provide outstanding protection for everyone in the car in
every collision situation.

The decisive factor when it comes to the superb basic protection offered by
the Volvo 960 is the large percentage of HSS (High Strength Steel) in the
 4
bodywork. HSS produces high strength in relation to its weight. It is about four
times stronger than conventional steel sheet and is used for the body
components included in SIPS, for example.
In addition, the sides of the body are pressed in one piece and the rest of the
bodywork has few joints as the number of sheet-metal sections are small in
number and large in size. PUR-bonded windows are elements in the structure
of the car and also help to produce the top-class strength.

940620/CR /JK
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

NEW, SMALLER SIX-CYLINDER AND MANUAL GEARBOX -

NEW FEATURES ON THE VOLVO 960

An in-line, six-cylinder engine is something very special.

Quiet, vibration-free operation, an abundance of power and tractive
force. This comes as no news to anyone who drives a Volvo 960, but
even more people are now going to be able to experience it for
themselves.

The 1995 model of the Volvo 960 will enable more customers to enjoy the
wonderful experience of driving a car with a six-cylinder engine. This will be
made possible by even greater freedom of choice when it comes to
specifications and equipment, not least as a result of a new engine alternative
and the introduction of a manual gearbox.

This means that the in-line, 3-litre, six-cylinder, which has characterised the
960 until now, is being supplemented by a new, smaller six-cylinder engine. At
the same time, a manual gearbox is being made available for the first time in
the 960.

New small six-cylinder

A new, small 2.5-litre engine, known as the B6254 FS, is being introduced. It
develops 170 bhp at 5,700 rpm and maximum torque of 230 Nm at 4,400 rpm.
Like its larger relatives and other Volvo engines, the torque curve is extremely
generous and priority has been given to the low and intermediate engine speed
range. This engine is identical in every way to the larger version, apart from
the fact that the stroke has been reduced to 80 mm and the bore to 81 mm,
this produces a displacement of 2,473 cc.
A special version for leaded fuel has been specially developed for certain
markets where access to unleaded fuel is either limited or non-existent.
 2
Rigid and light, as a result of the design and choice of materials
In its work on these engines, Volvo has focused on developing a stiff,
lightweight construction with effective combustion and low emissions.
The entire engine is made of aluminium. This results in low weight and a
top-class thermal dissipation capacity. The engine consists of five main parts,
the oil sump, a lower (crankcase) and upper (engine block) intermediate
section, the cylinder head and the camshaft bearing housing.
Both the crankcase and engine block are die-cast.

Many vital components are cast in from the start, thereby producing benefits
when it comes to process, function and cost. The crankcase main bearing
support is, for example cast in, as are the engine block cylinder liners and all
the oil and coolant ducts.

Volvo's N engines, the 5- and 6-cylinder versions, have no separate gaskets.

What are known as liquid gaskets in combination with bolted joints are used
instead. You could say that the five main parts of the engine are bonded
together.

The inlet manifold has a spherical gauge pressure chamber to provide the best
possible fuel flow and distribution of the fuel-air mix. The efficiency of the
combustion process is partly due to comprehensive laser measurements of both
gas speed and the position of the fuel in the combustion chamber.

The combustion chambers are of the pent-roof type with centrally-located

spark plugs and pairs of angled valves set at an angle of 58 degrees to one
another. The large valve area, combined with the advantageous design of the
combustion chambers, results in rapid gas exchange and highly effective
combustion.

The 24 valves are operated by double overhead camshafts via hydraulic valve
tappets. These tappets are self-adjusting which means that the clearance
 3

between the camshafts and tappets always remains completely constant. As a

result, no valve adjustments are necessary.

The ignition system is inductive. There is a high-voltage ignition coil on every

spark plug. This design solution eliminates the risk of voltage drops and short
circuits caused by dirt and moisture in the distributor and ignition cables, as
there are no such components in the system. This improves the level of
reliability and starting is facilitated by the powerful spark.

Functions controlled by the most modern computer technology

Both fuel supply and ignition are regulated by the most modern control
technology available (Motronic) and this results in extremely moderate fuel
consumption and low emissions for all engine versions.
The amount of fuel and the ignition timing is regulated and adjusted to
produce optimum combustion in every conceivable driving situation.
Double knock sensors are also included in the system.

The CO content and idling are also monitored and regulated, as is maximum
engine speed. The system intervenes if it senses that maximum engine speed is
about to be exceeded, in order to avoid over-revving and possible engine
damage as a result.
The Motronic system has a self-diagnosis function and stores any defect codes
which may be reported. This reduces troubleshooting and service time to a
minimum.

Long-stroke 3-litre version

The larger engine version with a displacement of 3.0 litres is the one which is
already available in the Volvo 960. It has an output of 204 bhp at 6,000 rpm
and a maximum torque of 267 Nm at 4,300 rpm.
A special US version has been developed with a slightly different distribution
between output and torque, to match the American way of driving. In this
 4
version, the output is 181 bhp at 5,200 rpm and maximum torque is 270 Nm at
4,100 rpm.
Unlike the 2.5-litre version, the 3-litre has a long stroke of 90 mm. Bore x
stroke: 83 x 90 mm (2,922 cc).

Both engines naturally offer the characteristic features of a six-cylinder engine,

such as silky-soft and stable operation, smoothness, flexibility and a speedy
response to the throttle throughout the engine speed range.
What's more, it is all produced in an environmentally-compatible manner.
Great emphasis has been placed on low emissions of both exhaust gas and
petrol vapour.

Clean emissions and minimal service requirements

The three-way catalytic converter interacts with the electrically-heated Lambda
sensor and with EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) and air injection in some
versions. Hydrocarbons which evaporate from the fuel tank and fuel lines are
collected by the evaporation system, taken to a collection canister and
conducted from there to the engine where they are burnt in the combustion
process.

Exhaust gas recirculation means that some of the exhaust gas is conducted to
the intake side of the engine where it helps to reduce the combustion
temperature. Injecting air into the hot exhaust gases makes it possible to burn
any fuel residue which may be included in these gases. This reduces the
emission of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons, as well as reducing the time it
takes for the catalytic converter to heat up in conjunction with cold starts,
The whole of the exhaust system is made of stainless steel to ensure the
longest possible service life.

Long service life is a term which characterises all the engines. The design as a
whole, in combination with the individual technical systems and solutions,
 5
produces an engine with minimal service requirements and outstanding
reliability.

The service intervals are 15,000 km for oil and filters, 90,000 for general
inspections and the replacement of auxiliary unit belts and 120,000 km for the
camshaft belts. The cooling system is the sealed-for-life type which means that
it never needs to be touched during the service life of the engine.

Compact, smooth manual gearbox

The 3-litre version of the Volvo 960 has an automatic gearbox as standard,
but, in combination with the 2.5-litre engine, the model can also be equipped
with a manual gearbox, thereby significantly extending the model range.

The manual gearbox is extremely compact as it is based on the special gearbox

design in the Volvo 850. It has five speeds, synchronised reverse gear and is
both fast and easy to operate.
The helical drive in the reverse gear makes it as quiet as all the other gears.
Reverse is located directly below fifth, but the gear lever cannot be moved
directly from fifth to reverse, thereby avoiding mistakes. This design eliminates
the need for a special reversing lock.

Even if the manual gearbox is both smooth and precise, the character of the
engine and the generous torque make constant gear changes unnecessary in
order to take advantage of engine power. The inherent smoothness of the
six-cylinder makes driving relaxed.

The 960's automatic gearbox a "thinking" miracle

when it comes to function, the automatic gearbox can only be described as a
small miracle of adaptation and flexibility. It is a four-speed in which fourth
gear is a fuel-efficient overdrive and it also features lock-up - the torque
converter is locked when it is not needed - on the lower gears. Lock-up
prevents unnecessary gear-changing and saves fuel.
 6
The automatic has three optional driving programs, depending on the
circumstances, as well as a number of other automatic functions, some of
which still function without electronic support if a defect occurs.

With the E (Economy), S (Sport) and W (Winter) modes, the driver is able to
choose the driving characteristics he requires; how high the engine speed
should be on each gear.

To ensure that gear changes are smooth and natural, the engine management
system delays ignition at the moment of gear-changing, thereby reducing the
load on the clutch discs in the automatic gearbox.
The automatic functions also include an engine brake when driving downhill
and constant adaptation to disc wear.

If the electronic system fails, the car can still be driven on two forward gears
and reverse.

In some cases a differential brake which counteracts wheel spin on slippery

surfaces is standard; in others it can be specified as extra equipment.

Complete car family

With the new Volvo 960, Volvo is establishing an entire car family in the
segment comprising large family/comfort/prestige cars, as a result of the
tremendous freedom of choice available.
This will significantly sharpen the company's competitive edge, as well as
improving its market potential, as a larger group of customers is now being
offered the chance to choose a six-cylinder Volvo.
The range spans a wide variety of versions from a 2.5-litre model with a
manual gearbox to a 3-litre with a four-speed automatic.
Regardless of the version and the specifications the customer chooses, the
common denominator for the new Volvo 960 is Volvo quality, safety and
comfort levels which are out of the ordinary combined with driving and
travelling pleasure.

940620/CR/PR
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES - A PROUD VOLVO TRADITION

As a result of its engine type, Volvo's six -cylinder model, the 960,
represents a fine Volvo tradition. Six-cylinder Volvo engines
represent a technical design solution which dates back many years
and for many years they were the company's only engine type when
it came to cars.

The first six-cylinder engine was used in a Volvo model back in 1929. The car
was known as the 651, the engine was called the DB and had a displacement
of just over three litres. Output was a modest 55 bhp, but this engine was
flexible and as strong as a bear, both characteristics which typify the in-line,
six-cylinder engine as a technical solution.

The DB engine formed the basis of all the in-line, six-cylinder Volvo engines
until 1958, when production ceased in conjunction with the phasing-out of the
PV830. In various guises during this period of almost 30 years, the engine
changed its name from DB to EB, from EB to EC and, finally, to ED. The
displacement increased from 3,010 cc to 3,366 cc and then 3,670 cc. Output
eventually rose to 90 bhp. Still not an engine with racing performance, but one
with a durability and service life to make the competition pale.

Between 1930 and 1947, Volvo produced nothing but six-cylinder cars. The
four-cylinder PV was only produced in a prototype and did not go into
production until 1947. During the Second World War, the six-cylinders were
converted to run on producer gas (charcoal or wood) as a result of petrol
rationing.
 2

From side to top valves

When the ED engine disappeared, it took almost ten years for the next Volvo
six-cylinder to make its appearance. These ten years were a period of
large-scale development and increasingly rigorous demands when it came to
the technical design.

The B30, an in-line engine with top valves and a displacement of 3 litres,
made its debut in 1968 in Volvo's new 164 model. The B30 was based on the
popular and highly reliable four-cylinder B18 engine from the PV, Amazon
(PV121) and 144 models. Output was 145 bhp in the carburettor version and
175 bhp in the injection version. The highest output ever in a Volvo car at this
time.

This engine produced fine performance, but it was extremely heavy and it was
still equipped with push-rods.
Like its smaller relation, it was resilient and operationally reliable which also
made it popular in other parts of the Volvo Group. It was used in both
military vehicles and in marine applications.

In addition to being used in the Volvo 164 and 164E, the B30 was also chosen
by the British sports car manufacturer Marcos as the power source in their
3-litre models, most of which were destined for the US market. The small
Marcos version was equipped with Volvo's B18 engine.

In 1974, when the Volvo 164 was succeeded by the Volvo 264, the B30 was
replaced by an engine with an entirely new design, the B27. This was a V6
 3

engine, the result of a French-Swedish engine joint venture between Peugeot,

Renault and Volvo. It was therefore known as the PRV six-cylinder.

It was produced at the French Douvrin plant and had an angle of 90 ° between
the banks of cylinders and one overhead camshaft per cylinder bank. This
angle was more like that of a V8 than a V6 and the engine had, in fact, started
out as a V8, but two cylinders had been removed as a result of the prevailing
conditions brought about by the world energy crisis.
The entire engine was made of aluminium, the displacement was 2,664 cc and
the output in this initial version was 125 bhp in the carburettor version and
140 bhp in the injection version.

In 1980, the displacement was increased to 2,849 cc and the engine was now
known as the B28. It was this engine that was fitted in the new 760 GLE in
1982, the first model in an entirely new generation of Volvo cars.

From V to in-line engines

Different versions, but with the same 2.8-litre displacement, of this V6 went on
to power six-cylinder, petrol-driven Volvos (diesel engines are six-cylinders)
until the 1991 model year, when the Volvo 960 was introduced with a new
in-line, six-cylinder engine made entirely of aluminium.

The B6304F, as this new engine was known, was a completely new design from
Volvo's engine design department and was produced in Skövde in Sweden.

It had been designed using the very latest CAE techniques and featured a
number of technical refinements. Moreover, it represented the first stage in
 4

the new modular engine family which one year later was extended to include
the new five-cylinder version in the Volvo 850.

The displacement was just under 3 litres 2,922 cc, to be exact and output
was 204 bhp. The double overhead camshafts operated four valves per cylinder
and other refinements included the low weight, the ignition system with six
high-voltage coils, cast-in bearing supports, so-called liquid gaskets instead of
the traditional type and minimal service requirements.

In-line six-cylinder technically superior

The step from the V6 engine to the in-line six-cylinder was taken for a number
of rational and sensible reasons. As Volvo's engine philosophy is based on the
use of in-line engines whenever possible, this was a perfectly natural move.
From a purely technical angle, the in-line engine is the best solution and here
are some of the reasons.

An in-line six-cylinder engine produces excellent comfort because it is quiet

and virtually vibration-free as it can be balanced to a level of almost 100%.

An in-line engine makes it possible to utilise advanced techniques such as

variable valve systems and turbocharging, as one cylinder head is less
complicated and less expensive than two.

An in-line engine offers emission benefits as all the exhaust gases leave the
engine on one side and thus reach the catalytic converter with very small
energy and output losses.
The distance to the catalytic converter is short and this, in turn, means that the
 5

catalytic converter starts working more rapidly.

In addition, it is difficult to counterbalance the cylinder banks in the V engine
when it comes to emissions.

An in-line six-cylinder engine has excellent performance potential as a result

of favourable intake and exhaust conditions- in other words, it has one cold
and one hot side. Using different turbocharging systems, output and torque
comparable with those of far larger engines can be obtained.

Ninety years of six-cylinder technology

It is an old and well-established fact that the six-cylinder car engine is an
effective and attractive technical solution.

As a technical phenomenon, its roots can be traced as far back as 1903 when
the Dutch car manufacturer Spyker presented what was the world's first
six-cylinder car engine. It had a displacement of 8.5 litres and developed no
less than 60 bhp.

However, the Spyker was a racing car which was not intended for series
production. The car which can claim the honour of being the first
series-manufactured and commercially successful six-cylinder engine is the
superb English make, the Napier. In 1904, Napier presented their 18 bhp
model, equipped with an in-line 4.9-litre six-cylinder with an output of around
30 bhp and, during the next twenty years, the Napier was the car make which
did most to popularise the six-cylinder as an engine type for cars.
 6

Automobile history is full of facts, both true and less true. The following is a
short presentation on the theme of six-cylinder cars which fits into the first of
these categories.

Configurations: In-line, V6, horizontally-opposed (boxer)

First six-cylinder engine: 1903, Spyker (Holland) (1904 Napier 18 bhp, Great
Britain*)
First inline six-cylinder: 1903, Spyker (Holland) (1904 Napier 18 bhp*)
First V6:1950, Lancia B10 (Italy)
First horizontally-opposed (boxer) six-cylinder: 1947, Tucker Torpedo,
air-cooled, rear engine (USA)
Smallest six-cylinder: 1,087 cc MG K1 Magnette 1932 (Great Britain)
Largest six-cylinder: 15,910 cc, Ariel 50/601907 (Great Britain)

* = The first series-manufactured six-cylinder engine

Six-cylinder Volvos on land and sea

Since 1930, Volvo trucks have only been equipped with six-cylinder engines,
with the exception of the light Snabbe and Trygge trucks. They were built
between 1956 and 1975 and could be specified with either a petrol V8 or a
four-cylinder diesel.
The largest six-cylinder engine for trucks can be found in the current FH
Series, in the FH16, and has a displacement of 16 litres and an output of 520
bhp.

Six-cylinder engines have also been used in Volvo buses and other heavy
vehicles, as well as in marine and stationary versions.
As a result, Volvo has extremely lengthy traditions to lean back on when it
comes to six-cylinder engines. At the same time, the current situation is no less
i mpressive - from the three-litre machine made of aluminium to one of
sixteen litres made of iron.

So the playwright who gave his play which was performed in a theatre in New
York in 1921 the title "Six Cylinder Love" knew what he was talking about.
It is not difficult to love a six-cylinder engine.

940620/CR/JK
 Press Information
Volvo Car Corporation
Public Relations & Public Affairs
S-405 08 Göteborg, Sweden
Telephone +46 31 59 00 00

VOLVO 960 - TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

(Certain deviations are possible depending on the market and version)

ENGINE
Type: Front-fitted, 6-cylinder, in-line engine made of aluminium with cast-in
cylinder liners made of iron. Double belt-driven overhead camshafts. 24 valves
set at an angle of 29 degrees to one another. Pent-roof type combustion
chamber.

Bore x stroke: 83 x 90 mm (B6304FS), 81 x 80 mm (B6254FS).

Displacement: 2,922 cc (B6304FS), 2,473 cc (B6254FS).

Compression ratio: 10.7:1 (B6304FS), 10.5:1 (B6254FS).

Fuel system: Electronic injection (Motronic 1.8), microprocessor-controlled

with double knock sensors and diagnosis system.

Fuel: 95 octane unleaded.

Emission control: Three-way catalytic converter with preheated Lambda

sensor, EGR and evaporation control.

Ignition system: Electronic, microprocessor-controlled with six ignition coils of

the high-voltage type. The coils are located directly on the spark plugs.
 2

Max output: 204 bhp at 6,000 rpm (B6304FS),170 bhp at 5,700 rpm
(B6254FS).

Max torque: 267 Nm at 4,300 rpm (B6304FS), 230 Nm at 4,400 rpm

(B6254FS).

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Type: 12V.
Alternating current (AC) alternator: 120A.
Battery: 520A-600A depending on the market.
Starter motor: 2.3 bhp.

TRANSMISSION
Drive: Rear-wheel drive.
Gearbox manual: Volvo M90, five-speed, fully-synchronised including reverse.
Gear ratios: 1st: 3.544.1, 2nd: 2.045:1, 3rd: 1.377:1, 4th: 1:1, 5th: 0.808:1, R:
3.453:1.
Rear axle ratio: 3.91:1.
Gearbox automatic: Volvo AW 43, four-speed automatic with three optional
driving programs (Sport, Economy, Winter).
Gear ratios: 1st: 2.804:1, 2nd: 1.532:1, 3rd: 1:1, 4th: 0.754:1.
Rear axle ratio: 3.73:1.

CHASSIS
Front-wheel suspension: Independent with McPherson type spring struts, lower
wishbones and anti-roll bar.
 3

Rear-wheel suspension: Independent with a Multilink rear axle, a transverse

leaf spring made of composite material, telescopic shock absorbers with or
without automatic levelling, anti-roll bars.

Steering: Rack and pinion with progressive power assistance.

Number of turns of the steering wheel lock to lock: 3.5.

Turning circle: 9.7 m.

Brakes: Disc brakes with servo and ABS all round, ventilated at the front. Disc
diameter, front 280 mm, rear 265 mm.

Wheels: 6 x 15" steel or 6.5 x 16" aluminium depending on the version and
market.

Tyres: 195/65VR15 or 205/55VR16 depending on the wheel type.

Fuel tank volume: 80 litres.

BODYWORK
Type: Unitary, 4-door saloon, 5-door estate.

Drag coefficient: 0.36 saloon, 0.38 estate.

 4

MEASUREMENTS AND WEIGHT

Length: 487 cm saloon, 486 cm estate.
Width: 175 cm.
Height: 141 cm saloon, 144 cm estate.
Wheelbase: 277 cm.
Track: 150 cm front, 152 cm rear.
Kerb weight: approx. 1,600 kg.
Weight distribution: 55/45% saloon, 53/47% estate.
Luggage compartment capacity: 457 litres SAE (491 DIN) saloon, 1,050 SAE
with rear seat upright, 1,702 litres DIN/VDA with rear seat down estate.
Max. roof load: 100 kg.
Max. trailer weight: 1,800 kg.

PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0-100 km/h: Saloon 9.7 seconds manual, 10 seconds automatic
(B6254FS), 9.1 seconds automatic (B6304FS). Estate 9.9 seconds manual, 10.3
seconds automatic (B6254F5), 9.3 seconds automatic (B6304FS).
Braking 100-0 km/h: 3.2 seconds lightly laden, 3.5 seconds fully-laden.
Top speed: 210 km/h manual, 205 km/h automatic (B6254F5), 210 km/h
(B6304F5),
Volvo 960
Sedan/Estate
All figures in cm
Alla mått i cm
Volvo 960
Front suspension
Framvagn
Volvo 960
Multi-link rear suspension
Multi-link bakaxel
 Power/Effekt Torque/Vridmoment

Volvo 960
Engine B6304FS
Motor B6304FS
 Power/Effekt Torque/Vridmoment

Volvo 960
Engine B6254FS
Motor B6254FS