850
Depending on whether it's equipped with a manual or automatic transmission and whether it's being sold in California, Massachusetts, New York, or one of the other forty-seven states, the 850 may have one of two engines.
All cars with a manual transmission (and cars equipped with an automatic that are being sold in one of the three strict- emissions states) are equipped with a Transitional Low Emissions Vehicle (TLEV) engine. Cars with automatic transmissions destined for the rest of the country do not receive a TLEV rating.
The TLEV engine is 2.4-liter five-cylinder with a Bosch Motronic 4.4 engine management system. Non-TLEV 850s have the same displacement and mechanical components and a Bosch Motronic 4.3 engine management system. In both cases, engine output is 168 horsepower at 6100 rpm and 162 lb.-ft. of torque at 4700 rpm.
For 1997, 850 sedans and wagons with either manual or automatic transmissions have an EPA estimated fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in city driving and 29 mpg on the highway.
850 GLT
This year the 850 GLT has a new engine, a version of model year 1996?s naturally-aspirated, TLEV 2.4-liter, five- cylinder engine. The 850 GLT, therefore, continues to be designated a Transitional Low Emissions Vehicle. The engine is characterized by Volvo as a HTLR (High Torque Low Rev) design. Like the naturally-aspirated version, the HTLR engine has a Bosch Motronic 4.4 engine management system. The motor develops 190 horsepower at 5100 rpm and 197 lb.ft. of torque at 1800 rpm versus the 1996 version which had 168 hp at 6200 rpm and 162 1b.ft. at 4700 rpm.
Available only with automatic transmission, both the 850 GLT sedan and wagon have an EPA fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway.
850 T-5
The 850 T-5 sedan and wagon have a 2.3-liter five-cylinder engine equipped with a turbocharger and intercooler as well as a Bosch Motronic 4.3 engine management system. The engine develops 222 horsepower at 5200 rpm and 221 lb.ft. of torque at 2100 rpm.
Equipped with Volvo's four-speed automatic transmission only, both sedan and wagon versions of the 850 T-5 are rated at 19 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.
The mechanical elements of the turbocharged engine in the 850 R are the same as those in the 850 T-5. The electronic elements of the 850 R, however, are different. The 850 R has a Bosch Motronic 4.4 engine management system that's been specifically programmed to allow the turbocharger to produce maximum boost for a slightly longer duration, and only over brief periods. The result is a jump in maximum horsepower to 240 hp at 5600 rpm. Maximum torque is the same at 221 lb.ft. at 2100 rpm.
The 850 R's engine management system allows for momentary bursts of turbo boost pressure to increase from 9.6 pounds per square inch (psi) to 10.9 psi during full-throttle acceleration for approximately seven seconds. The 850 R comes equipped with an automatic transmission only and both sedan and wagon versions have been rated by the EPA to deliver 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway.
