Volvo P1800 – Most Wanted Cars 2014

Part two in our top 10 Most Wanted Cars is a new Volvo P1800 coupe. This is how it could look…

The Volvo P1800 remains one of the most stylish cars Volvo has ever made and when we asked readers which fantasy cars they most wanted to see built, a modern take on the Volvo P1800 was a hot favourite.    

Best known for its prominent role in the TV series The Saint, the Volvo P1800 is one of the Swedish manufacturer’s most famous and elegant designs. 

Launched in 1961, production of the P1800 lasted 12 years during which time almost 50,000 models had been sold. The first models to roll off the production line were powered by a 1,800cc engine – hence the name ­– producing around 100bhp, sending power to the road via a four-speed manual gearbox.

From 1961 the P1800 was actually assembled at Jensen Motors’ plant in West Bromwich, West Midlands, until 1962 when production was switched to Sweden. Volvo claimed the move was to try and boost sales but owners of earlier models believe it was in fact down to quality issues.

The success and influence of the P1800 can still be seen in modern day Volvos. The latest Volvo Coupe Concept unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September last year, drew heavily on Volvo’s heritage and in particular the P1800. The chrome grille and front splitter on the concept are cues clearly taken from the sixties coupe.

Rather than create a P1800 influenced model, our exclusive image shows a direct successor to the coupe. All of the classic lines and features from the original remain, such as the circular headlights and swooping rear end.

“A GT coupe is entirely possible,” said a spokesman for Volvo. “Our new scaleable platform could be adapted for a coupe.”

Production chances: 4/5

Volvo P1800 (1961 – 1973): the history

Has Volvo ever built a better-looking car than the P1800? The Pelle Petterson designed machine is certainly a front-runner in the Swedish manufacturer’s style stakes.

The curvy two-door coupe with its trademark chrome swoosh connecting headlights with side window line is a design tour de force that Volvo is still trying to emulate today with cars like theConcept Coupe.

It was built in the UK by Jensen Motors until 1962 when production moved to Gothenburg in Sweden. Just under 40,000 P1800 coupes were produced in total including the one Roger Moore made famous in The Saint TV show. There were also 8,000 estates. 

The P1800 arrived in 1961 appropriately powered by an 1,800cc 100hp engine developed from a V8 unit found in Volvo trucks at the time.  More power arrived in the shape of the P1800S in 1963 (115bhp) and the P1800E in 1970 (130bhp). The P1800ES was a striking shooting brake estate version launched in 1972.

R-Design brings sporty looks to Volvo S90 and V90

Those of us who are fans of Volvo's previous sporty models will probably welcome the S90 and V90 R-Design trim levels with open arms. The Swedish manufacturer refers to the R-Design cars as "performance-inspired", with the key word being "inspired", not "performance". It's an appearance package with some sporty, "road-hugging" hardware in the chassis, but standard-issue 250 or 316 horsepower is as much grunt as it will get, if the R-Design package is applied on either the T5 or T6, respectively. Both of those engines are 2.0-liter four-cylinders.

The R-Design cars are instantly recognizable from the more aggressive bumper intakes and grille, and the newly designed five-spoke wheels with a diamond cut surface. Inside, most everything is bespoke to R-Design, from trim pieces to sports seats and steering wheel, and the feeling of a performance package is enhanced with a special interior illumination setup.

Earlier, there has been talk of the electronically assisted twin turbo Drive-E engine making as much as 450 horsepower, but the likelihood is that it will be reserved for a separate Polestar performance version if one should be created from the S90/V90. R-Design is at least a ladder below that, but Volvo is likely to respect its performance heritage enough to reserve some muscle for the 90-series cars. How would canary yellow suit them, instead of blue?

Volvo XC100 Concept

Volvo will launch an totally new version of its popular XC serie in 2016. The automaker recently confirmed their plans for the model, which is scheduled to go on sale towards the end of 2016. Volvo also announced details to its engines and platforms. According to Volvo, the new XC100 will be the first model built using its new Scalable Product Architecture. The platform will adapt to many new models of varying sizes. That way, Volvo can finally cut ties with Ford, which previously owned the Swedish automaker. Many Volvo models still share parts with Fords. As for the new XC100, Volvo is tight-lipped on details. While its release date is less than two years away, that's a long time for car shoppers. While it's hard to guess exactly where Volvo will take its next XC100, several sketches shown last year may provide some insight. Those drawings featured an angular, futuristic SUV with widely flared fenders. In addition to new styling, the new XC100 is also likely to use new engines. That's because Volvo says it's developing a new family of 6-cylinder engines with turbocharging and direct injection. Those two features improve performance and fuel economy, making us think they'll likely show up in other upcoming Volvo models, too. If the XC100 does get a 6-cylinder, it will mark a radical departure from today's models. Volvo also offers the smaller XC60 crossover, which debuted for the 2009 model year. 

Polestar pumps up Volvo S90 and V90 performance

This week we're in Spain discovering all there is to know about the new Volvo S90 sedan and V90 wagon, impressions on which we'll have for your shortly. But there will inevitably be a swath of buyers who want a sportier experience. And for just such individuals, Volvo has itsPolestar division, which just announced some performance upgrades for the Swedish automaker's new flagship models.

Much as it did for the smaller S60, V60, and XC60, the new Polestar Performance Optimization package for theS90 and V90 is aimed at improving the vehicle's response to inputs from the throttle and shifter. The manufacturer has refrained from itemizing any empirical details in improvement to performance or output, but instead says it has focused on optimizing the engine and transmission to deliver a more engaging driving experience.

The upgrades are fully covered by warranty and certified for emissions and fuel consumption. They'll initially be offered on the D5 diesel powertrain option not available in North America, but will expand in October to the T6 model we will get here.

Even more promising, however, is what we hear Polestar has in store for the flagship Volvos in the future.According to Motor Trend, full-on performance versions of the S90 and V90 could be in the works with as much as 600 horsepower. That would be more than enough to take the fight to the likes of the Mercedes-AMG E63and BMW M5, but instead of a turbocharged V8 powertrain, would be rather impressively based on the existing T8 plug-in hybrid setup that's built around a 2.0-liter inline-four. One way or another, we're sure we've not yet heard the last word on what Polestar can do with Gothenburg's latest.

New Volvo P1800 !

Brand new, the idea is not. Volvo played as early as 2013 with the idea that the study of a coupe inspired our imagination, but was then in Serie nothing. The Times have changed. The brand has a tailwind, the higher positioning in the premium segment running successfully. The Volvo XC90 is a bestseller worldwide, the prospects for S90 and V90 are good. A coupe and round out the selection is therefore more than just an option.
If one believes the Swedish Auto Motor & Sport, then the decision is in Gothenburg already fallen. The new Volvo Coupe to 2017 go into production, very concretely in the KW50 / 2017 with the legendary P1800, whose name should be there, it has certainly little in common. It will be even more prestigious.
The body is made largely of carbon fiber, the Volvo to be only 4:38 meters long. The study of 2013 had a length of 4.50 m. to be responsible charged 4cylinder engines with more than 450 hp for the drive. 600 hp are called at Auto Motor & Sport, as an electric rear axle wheel option.
A Volvo from the Saab factory in Trollhättan?
Yesterday, it was assumed that the P1800 in the former Saab Trollhättan plant would go into production. A confirmation did not exist, only a wall of silence. Today the rumor of several Swedish media was denied. Production of the new Volvo P1800 should not take place in Trollhättan, but in small, exclusive numbers on the prototype plant in Hisingen.
A high-tech carbon fiber coupe would be the product Image unlock to Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Porsche. A 4cylinder with multiple charging should be no problem. Porsche it dares in 718, why not also in Volvo P1800?