Curves and Front-Wheel Drive Marked a New Chapter in Volvo Legacy
It's tough to get a better rep for safety than Volvo, an image it continues to earn to this day despite many of its entry-level luxury competitors' worthy attempts at sharing the limelight.
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| Always respected for safety, it wasn't really until the introduction of the 850 in 1993 that Volvo also became known for styling. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
But the new model wasn't without controversy. The 850 was the Swedish automaker's first front-wheel drive model, replacing the boxy rear-wheel drive 740. Not all brand loyalists were impressed with Volvo swapping drive configurations however, following in the tire tracks of Scandinavian archrival Saab. But Volvo still soldiered on with its stalwart 240 (for '93 only) and luxurious 960 (right through to 1997) if the faithful felt a need for RWD.
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| The 850 was the biggest hit Volvo had ever had it arrived in 1992 as a 1993 model, reaching a new audience that had never before even considered buying into the automaker. (Photo: Volvo Cars of Canada) |
Nevertheless the 850 was the biggest hit Volvo had ever had up to this date, reaching a new audience that had never before even considered buying into the automaker. After more than a decade of multi-brand automotive marketers pushing the credo that front-wheel drive is better for everything from handling to foul-weather traction, an eager North American public signed on the bottom line. Ironically, today Volvo is one of the only premium manufacturers that still try to purvey FWD sport/luxury sedans - albeit their top models now offer AWD. But I digress.
Its softer, friendlier styling probably did a lot more to attract new buyers than any preference for which axle spins the tires. The 850 wasn't exactly as racy as the brand's newest entries, but compared to the 740 it looked as aerodynamic as the bullet train.