Volvo 740
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1987_Volvo_740GLE.jpg
Introduced in the U.S. for the 1985 model year, the 740 was a less optioned version of the Volvo 760 model. The 740 was a breath of fresh air for the Swedish auto manufacturer. The 740 was intended to be a midsize car that offered more style, performance, and luxury than the venerable 240 series cars.
In the U.S., the 740 series of vehicles were offered from 1985-1992 as a 4-door sedan (known internally as the 744) and a 5 door wagon (known internally as the 745). In the early 1980's, the Volvo numbering system for automobiles, which had been based on a definition by the vehicles SERIES + CYLINDERS + DOORS, began to break down and was formally abandoned with the introduction of their five-cylinder front wheel drive cars in 1993. However the original system is still used by Volvo enthusiasts and engineers.
Production of the 740 ceased in 1992, though the engine, transmission, chassis, and other details lived on in the Volvo 940, which essentially was a re-skinned 740. Though out of production for close to 15 years, the majority of these cars are still on the road today, thanks to robust construction and engines known to run for hundreds of thousands of miles.
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Specifications
Models
Available in both sedan and wagon forms
1985: 740 GLE, 740 Turbo, 740 GLE Turbo-Diesel
1986: Same as 1985
1987: 740 GLE, 740 Turbo
1988: Same as 1987
1989: 740 GL, 740 GLE 16-Valve, 740 Turbo
1990: 740, 740 GL, 740 GLE 16-Valve, 740 Turbo
1991: 740, 740 Turbo, 740 SE
1992: 740, 740 Turbo (**For '92, Turbo in wagon ONLY**)
Engines
There were 3 engines offered on 740 series US-spec vehicles:
- B230F: 2.3 liter Inline-4 naturally aspirated engine, 114hp ('85-88 740GLE's,'89-90 740GL,'90-92 740)
- B234F: 2.3 liter 16-valve dual overhead cam Inline-4 naturally aspirated engine, 153hp ('89-90 740 GLE)
- B230FT: 2.3 liter Inline-4 turbocharged engine, 160hp ('85-92 740 Turbo models **NOTE: 90-92 models produced 162hp**).
In 1985-86, there was also an optional 107hp 2.4 inline-6 turbo diesel engine, manufactured by VW and designated the D24T. In addition to being an expensive option, the D24T suffered from reliability problems and was thus discontinued.
Transmissions
Volvo offered various transmissions depending on the year/model/engine combinations including the:
- M46 manual transmission (4spd + electronic overdrive)
- M47 manual transmission (5spd)
- AW70 automatic transmission
- AW71 automatic transmission
- AW72 automatic transmission
Suspension/Axle
There were also different suspension combinations depending on the model chosen:
- 1030: Standard rear axle
- 1031, 1041: Heavy-duty version of standard axles (1031 has limited slip)
SE Models
Later in 1991, Volvo offered a sedan and wagon badged the 740 SE. The 740 SE's, along with the 740 Turbo sedan, were subsequently discontinued for 1992.
Links
- - Volvo Cars (US) Site (http://www.volvocars.us)
- - The Brickboard (A Volvo Owners Resource) Site (http://www.brickboard.com)
- - TurboBricks Site (http://www.turbobricks.com)
- - SwedishBricks Site (http://www.swedishbricks.net)
- - Volvo Parts Specialist (http://www.ipdusa.com)
- - Volvo Parts & Service Specialists (http://www.mvpvolvo.com/)
- - 700 Series Pictures (http://www.brickboard.com/GALLERY/?model=700)de:Volvo 740