Since the beginning, Volvos had been taking to the track. Amazons and P1800s ruled the global rally circuit and in sports car racing. Today, Volvos race on several continents from top tier touring car circuits in Europe and Australia to local Sports Car Club of America track meets.
However, the perfect combination of a Volvo and a turbocharged engine provided the great victories in the company's history. The 240 Turbo was more than just a performance model; it was a track star.
In 1985, the "Flying Brick" won the European Touring Car Championship and the German DTM circuit. Both circuits were considered a true test for a production-based automobile to run on the same courses as Formula open-wheel race cars and Prototype sports cars. These cars were part of what was called Group A, where race cars were taken from the production line, modified and could be sold in limited quantities. Furthermore, these vehicles had to seat at least four people and were to be weighed based on a formula using the engine's displacement. This was perfect for a car that had been on sale since 1981 - the 240 Turbo.
The Turbo was already considered a sleeper car. From its 155 HP 2.1 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, it matched power with the likes of the Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Toyota Supra and Porsche 944 of its time. The 240 Turbo ran a 0-100 km/h time of 9 seconds, which was considered good back then. You could also get the turbocharged engine in a wagon - the fastest of its kind at the time.
What was taken on the track was the called the Turbo Evolution. They had larger turbochargers, modified engine controls and Water Turbo Traction. The latter was a Volvo innovation that would lead to advances in intercooling. About 500 Evolutions were built, then split up throughout the USA in 1983. The next year, Europe saw the Turbo Evolution hit the circuit. In 10984, the Volvo won two events - Zolder on the ETC circuit and Norisring in DTM.
It would be 1985 when the Volvo showed its mettle. Further enhancements to the 240 Turbo gave the race car more performance and endurance. By now, the racing 240 Turbo had 300 HP on tap and a top of speed of 260 km/h. The car was made lighter, though it retained every other spec of the 240 based on regulations. The result was victories in six out of 14 races that year in ETC; one win and five additional podiums in DTM. In addition, the Volvo won similar circuits in Finland, Portugal and New Zealand, along with a rally championship in Scotland.
Years later, the legend of 1985 remains in the hearts of Volvo enthusiasts worldwide. They are reminded of the past through vintage racing and Polestar-backed efforts in current touring car circuits. It is still a reminder in our parts, even as enthusiasts find ways to give their "Flying Bricks" or any Volvo performance on par with those race cars of thirty years ago. A visit to Volvo of Richmond's parts department is a good place to start the journey towards track glory. Not to mention, there are many resources for performance parts available online and elsewhere. Please visit us first, as we could have the solution towards reliving the glory of 1985 right here.
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