To All,

what's the big difference - in engine power - between a '93 and '97 850...is it largely the addition of the low pressure turbo...believe engines are the same...and is the difference in acceleration that noticeable...'93 is a great car but sort of slow.

thanks,

here's the skinny off volvo's website. at least in the u.s.

1993: 850 glt, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp)
1994: 850, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp)
----- 850 Turbo, 2.3L mitsubishi turbo-charged engine (222 hp, 9.6psi)
1995: 850, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp)
----- 850 glt, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp), diff in trim and equip.
----- 850 Turbo, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (222 hp, 221 lb-ft, 9.6 psi)
----- 850 T5-R, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (240 hp, 10 psi, limited edition, upgraded suspension and tire/wheel package)
1996: same as 1995 except t5-r.
----- 850 R, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (240 hp, 10 psi, not limited anymore, similar to t5-r except no yellow)
1997: 850, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp)
----- 850 glt, 2.4L mitsu turbo engine (190 hp, low psi like 4 or 5)
----- 850 t5 (aka turbo), 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (222 hp,9.6psi)
----- 850 R, 2.3 L mitsu turbo engine (240 hp, 10 psi)
1998: s/v70, 2.4L normally aspirated engine (168 hp)
----- s/v70 glt, v70 xc, v70 awd, 2.4L mitsu turbo engine (190 hp)
----- s/v70 t-5, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (236 hp, 243 lb-ft, bigger turbo)
----- v70 R awd, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (236 hp, 228 lb-ft, s70r not in u.s.)
----- *factory option ohlins 8-way adjustable shocks with remote resevior, $1600
1999: s/v70, same as 1998
----- s/v70 glt, s/v70 awd, v70 xc, 2.4L mitsu turbo engine (190 hp)
----- s/v70 t-5, same as 1998
----- v70 R awd, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (247 hp, 243 lb-ft)
2000: s/v70, 2.4L n/a engine (168hp, torque up from 162 to 170 lb-ft)
----- s/v70 glt, s/v70 awd, v70 xc, 2.4L mitsu turbo engine (190 hp)
----- s/v70 t-5, same as 1998
----- v70 R awd, 2.3L mitsu turbo engine (261 hp, 258 lb-ft)

To put it in context, the original Porsche 944 was only 143hp.

The contemporary reviews of the '93 850GLT 5-speed (GLTs were non-turbo until 1997) described the performance as sprightly. Add a second in 0-60 times for the automatic, another 1/2 second for the wagon's weight and all the power gizmos, and the formerly "fun-to-drive" car becomes a slug.

I'm not sure the GLT low pressure turbo automatic is much faster than the non-turbo 5-speed. There's not that much of a hp difference, and there's a lot of power lost with the torque converter.

-bill d cat

Only the GLTs in '97 have the low pressure turbo motor. So, if you are comparing a non-turbo '93 with a non-turbo '97 they will be about the same. The LPT motor generates something like 190 hp and 210 lb ft of torque in comparison to the naturally aspirated 168 hp and 168 lb ft of torque (I know I am off on these numbers). A '97 GLT will be noticeably quicker than a '93 NA. My friend has the former and I used to have a '94 NA.