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This car is a continuation of the 850 (updated styling, some engineering and component changes). The midsize Volvo sedan is now the S60, and equivalent wagon is the V70, though this last item is larger than the 855/V70 (98-00). The current naming system is redundant - all sedans (S's) are also even numbers (40, 60, 80) and wagons (V's) are also odd numbers (70, 90, and when it comes out, 50). Cross country (XC) editions currently exist in both 70 and 90.
Essentially, the 80/90 class is the FWD or AWD equivalent of the 900 series in that they are the large class.
Though there isn't a 1:1 relationship, the hierarchy has evolved thus:
440 - > S40, V40 (V50 in development)
240 -> 850 -> S/V/C70, V70XC - -> S60, V70, V70XC
900 --> S80, V90, XC90
The original 440 was available only in Europe.
There's been a spirited discussion of the Volvo's badging and ownership picture. The only thing that's clear is that the brand is muddled but hopefully evolving. A little clarity would be nice (as would a hands-off management style from Ford HQ, and a new S60 design with it's own original look).
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David \\ (98 S70 T5SE Black, misc mods (mostly lighting), red calipers) (92 940GLE)
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