The Volvo 740 and 760 belong to the Volvo 700 Series, which are mid-size luxury or executive cars with front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout manufactured by the Volvo Cars from 1982 to 1992. In 1982, the 760 came as a replacement for the 200 Series, while the 740 was introduced two years later as a lower-priced model. This series was assembled in Sweden, Belgium, Indonesia, and also in Clayton, Australia.
Volvo 760 (1982-1990)
Volvo 760 was the first model in the 700 Series representing the luxury car designed by Jan Wilsgaard to replace the 200 Series. Even though some markets offered the 760 with turbodiesel engines alongside the V6 variant, it was released in Australia in petrol variants only. It arrived in the country in 1983 and sold until 1990 in saloon and estate body types, offering either GLE or Turbo trim level with the following engine options:
- GLE – 2.8L V6 petrol engine (115 kW, 235 Nm) paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission
- Turbo – 2.3L 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine (127 kW, 250 Nm) paired with a 4-speed Volvo M-46 manual gearbox with overdrive
Both the GLE and Turbo trims featured air conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, power mirrors, power steering, power windows, and radio cassette.
In 1985, Volvo added an electronic traction control system to its standard package. With a facelift in 1988, the 760 received a revised front sheet metal, updated dashboard, 3-position tilt steering, automatic climate control, and stereo system.
Before its production ceased in 1990, the 760 received new taillights and interior updates. An update to its chassis gave way to the production of the Volvo 960 (900 Series), which succeeded it in 1990.
Volvo 740 (1984-1992)
Volvo 740 came two years after the launching of the luxurious 760. It is as a mid-size car built as 4-door saloons and 5-door estates and widely used as police cars in Europe. It was designed to be a lower-end version of the 760 yet offering more style and performance than the 200 Series. Initially, the '4' in its model name denoted 4-cylinder engines. However, as inline 6-cylinder engines were later used, the '4' was taken to mean less luxurious version of the 760.
In Australia, it was available from 1985 to 1991 in GL, GLE, Turbo, Turbo HP, GLE 16 Valve, GL Anniversary, and base trim levels.
Volvo 740 featured the following engine options:
- GL and GLE – 2.3L 4-cylinder petrol engine (96 kW, 190 Nm) paired with 4-speed automatic transmission
- Base model, GL and GLE (wagons) and GL Anniversary (sedan) – 2.3L 4-cylinder petrol engine (85 kW, 185 Nm) paired with 4-speed automatic transmission
- Turbo - 2.3L B23/B230ET/FT 4-cylinder petrol engine (119 kW, 253 Nm) paired with 4-speed automatic transmission
- GLE 16 Valve – 2.3L B234 4-cylinder petrol engine (115 kW, 203 Nm) paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission
The Turbo model was introduced in 1986 in both sedan and wagon variants. Volvo introduced the Turbo HP trim in 1988 powered by the same 2.3L petrol engine (119 kW, 253 Nm) but paired with a 5-speed Volvo M-47 manual gearbox.
GL was equipped with power steering and radio cassette, while the GLE and Turbo models added ABS, air conditioning, alloy wheels, central locking, and power windows.
The higher-spec Turbo HP added leather trim and rear spoiler, while the GLE 16 Valve wagon had seven seats and a power sunroof.
A facelift in 1990 brought smaller composite headlamps and 780-style taillights. The 740 extended beyond the 760’s production run but also had to cease in 1992. The Volvo 940 of the 900 Series replaced it.
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Author: Andrijana Pavlovic