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It all started in 1953, with a spacious, practical workhorse - the PV 445. In the seventies, Volvošs wagons received an infusion of luxury with the introduction of the Volvo 265.
In the early 1990s, the Volvo 850 wagon appeared, the sharpest to date - with handling to match the most inspiring of sports cars.
Three milestones that have been brought together in the new Volvo V70 - the uncompromising wagon.
Over the years, premium wagons have become the most important segment for Volvo Car Corporation. Over the past 10 years, from 1989 to 1998, Volvo accounted on average for 33 per cent of all sales of large wagons in Europe more than any other manufacturer.
In the USA, the corresponding figure between 1990 and 1998 for Volvo Cars was 23 per cent (1998: 50 per cent). In Japan it was 18 per cent.
Last year in Australia, Volvo accounted for a massive 67 per cent of the mid-large luxury wagon market.
In the light of Volvo Carsš share of the world market 1 per cent this clearly demonstrates the importance of the wagon segment.
In the early 1950s, nobody could have guessed that Volvošs wagons would be so successful. On the contrary, the chassis that Volvo was manufacturing and selling to other body-making companies as a basis for vans and light pick-ups was not doing particularly well. In late 1952, Volvo had 1,500 unsold chassis.
"We must get rid of them. We must build a van of our own," said Assar Gabrielsson, one of Volvo's founders. And so the decision was made.
A budget was set aside for the development work and the time frame to completion was set to one year. The result was a car with the same basic shape, wheelbase, track, engine and transmission as the PV444 saloon, but with a separate frame which made superstructures possible and a heavy-duty rear suspension.
On 4 July 1953 the very first Volvo PV445 was delivered to Gabrielsson.
PV445 was the official name of the car. But hardly anybody called it that. Instead, it became known as the 'Duett'. The nickname referred to the fact that the car was two in one; a flexible, van during working hours and a spacious, comfortable passenger car during leisure time.
The Volvo Duett was a great success. And Assar Gabrielsson's short-term business solution aimed at selling 1,500 chassis became the start of Volvošs successful wagon history instead.
The Volvo PV 445 Duett was manufactured between 1953 and 1969 in a total of 90,000 units.
Volvo P220 the Amazon (1962-1969)
Volvo P220 represented the Volvo Car Corporationšs first step towards a five-door saloon. The car, with its modern construction and unibody design, was launched at the 1962 Stockholm Motor Show.
The Amazon wagon was a true wagon rather than a van. It had the saloon styling, which had been carefully retained and transferred to the wagon version. This was characterised by a very large cargo area without sacrificing interior dimensions.
Volvo 145 (1967-1974)
The Volvo 145 represented yet another step towards the five-door wagon with saloon comfort. Technically, the saloon and the wagon were identical, apart from the reinforced rear shock absorbers on the wagon.
Compared with the Duett and the Amazon, the 145 handled a slightly smaller payload, an indication that it was more of a five-door saloon than a pure load carrier. On the other hand, the useful volume was enormous.
Between 1967 and 1974, the Volvo Car Corporation produced 270,000 units of the Volvo 145.
Volvo 245 (1974-1993)
It was perfectly logical for the Volvo 140 to be succeeded in 1974 by the Volvo 240. The wagon version bore the designation 245 and was launched at the same time as the saloon.
But even more interesting was the Volvo 265, Volvošs first luxury wagon, which came in 1975. This car included more luxury features than many saloons at the time and it gave Volvošs wagon range a new and exciting dimension that has been further developed over the years.
In the early 1980s, the Volvo Car Corporation became the largest manufacturer of wagons in Europe in its market segment.
To underline its leading position, Volvo launched the worldšs first mass-manufactured wagon with a turbocharged petrol engine in 1981. The Volvo Car Corporationšs first ŗsports wagon˛ heralded the disappearance of the distinction between saloon and wagon in terms of driving characteristics and comfort.
Between 1974 and 1993, the Volvo Car Corporation produced 1,000,000 units of the Volvo 245/265.
Volvo 740/760, 940/960 and V90 (1985-1998)
A further stride forward in the wagon concept was taken in 1985 with the introduction of a five-door version of the Volvo 740/760, which radiated total harmony and well-thought-out design solutions. The Volvo 740/760 was designed as a wagon from the very start, and then converted into a saloon.
This vehicle focused more than its predecessors had done on contemporary lifestyle and leisure. The rear seat was split one-third of the way along to allow the load capacity to be used to the full. The entire cargo area was carpet-lined and a great deal of effort had gone into road-noise insulation.
When it was launched in 1985, the Volvo 740 Turbo wagon was the only wagon on the market that could reach 100 kmh from standstill in 8.5 seconds, turn around in 9.9 metres, tow 1,800 kg and swallow 2.12 cubic metres of cargo while offering luxury car comfort at the same time.
With the Volvo 740, the Volvo Car Corporation set a new standard for the modern wagon concept by erasing the distinction between four and five-door cars once and for all.
Between 1985 and 1998, 675,000 units were produced.
Volvo 850 (1993-1996)
With the introduction of the Volvo 850 wagon in February 1993, the concept took on yet another dimension in terms of passenger safety and comfort, driving characteristics and styling.
The Volvo 850 was a different kind of wagon, with its daring tail-lamp arrangement and a rear compartment that few, if any, other competitors on the market could equal in terms of safety, smartness and versatility.
With the Volvo 850, the Volvo Car Corporation proved on the racing track that there is no contradiction between a family car and true driving pleasure. The Volvo 850 wagon created racing history by being the first wagon ever and Volvošs first car entry ever in the prestigious BTCC, the British Touring Car Championship. A Volvo 850 wagon also was the first Volvo to be entered in the Australian Super Touring Championship.
Accordingly, the Volvo 850 wagon became the standard in the business and the model followed the evolution of the Volvo 850 into new areas of performance, traction and excitement with the T5, the T5 R and the All Wheel Drive.
Volvo V40 1995-
In the midst of the Volvo 850 wagon evolution, a new and exciting car saw the light of the day at the Bologna Motor Show in 1995. The Volvo V40, the second model in the new compact series, became the first Volvo to carry the designation of V for versatility.
Slightly smaller than its sibling, the Volvo V40 is just as much fun to drive, just as comfortable and versatile and is perhaps also the safest car in its market segment.
Volvo V70 1996-
In November 1996, the next logical step ensued in the process of refinement when the Volvo Car Corporation introduced the Volvo V70 on the basis of the Volvo 850 wagon. Modified both under the skin and on the outside, the new generation of Volvo wagons continued to attract customers all over the world, thanks to the high levels of occupant protection, outstanding versatility, sophisticated handling and the wide range of variants and options.
The new wagon
When the new generation of Volvo wagons enter the market, they will be even more safe, practical, comfortable and exciting to drive. The evolution of Volvo wagons is a continuous process, a constant striving for perfection in a type of car that the Volvo Car Corporation has made very much its own.
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