I'm in the market for an 850 or an S70, but yesterday I noticed an 850R for sale.
What's the deal with the 850R?

Any insight is appreciated...

I own a black version of this car. I have a neighbor about 5 houses up who owns a yellow 95 t5r. Anyhow, the R is the same as the T5R. All aspects of the cars are the same with the exception of the rear spoiler and wheels. It was designed after Tom Walkinshaw Racing. You will see the actual race version on these two sites:

http://home.swipnet.se/850-styling/start.htm
http://www.hueging.com/t5r/T-5Rspeziell.htm



Rick in Denver, 97 850-R, black, 71000 miles

The R also came with 17" wheels (called Volans) and 40-45 series tires which give the car a firmer ride. Some folks changed out or damaged the Volans and may have higher aspect ratio tires.

The firmnest of the ride also has to do with the differrent type of suspension springs that the R's came with. And IMHO, it will pulls away with more authority than the T5's.

It is almost the same with the T5. However, R has a slightly higher output and leather + suede(?) seats. I guess...
Ihsan

I have a 97 T5 w/leather, etc. The difference is that the R puts out 240 HP for up to 20 seconds as opposed to the 222 from the T5. DOn't know how, that's just what the manual says

the r and or the t5-r are the volvo's answer to the bmw "m" series,

nice car!!!!

Indeed the T5-R and Rs were Volvo's top of the line 850s, with all the options included. Let's put it this way: my next car will probably be one of these. (Currently n/a 850)