I just recently acquired a copy of the sales brochure (from ebay) on the 1996 range of Volvo 850 sedans. Nowhere in this brochure is there any mention of the 850R. The limited edition 850 is discussed, the N/A 850 and the turbo 850 are also illustrated and discussed. There is mention of the 222hp turbo engine but no mention of the 247 R version, there is mentioned the availability of the sports suspension package with the lowered springs, upgraded anti sway bars, etc., under the interior section there is discussion of the leather but no mention of the leather/alacantra mix, under available wheels and tires they list up to 16" alloys but no mention of the 17" wheels.
I know that on the Volvo web site the 96R is mentioned, is it possible that there is a separate brochure just on the R version? If so I would have thought that they would have referred to it in the general brochure. I am told that in the 97 version of the factory sales brochure there is a picture of the R and its interior.
It makes me wonder if it was a sudden afterthought to make the R version available in 1996. My car was Gothenburg built in February 1996.
Anyone have more direct knowledge of the circumstances surrounding the R?
John Scales (1996 850R)