'96 Volvo 854-R

Alas, this car was sold in March of 2008 and replaced with a Cross Country.

Most Volvo freaks know that the '96-'97 850R was a rare bird. Available in both a sedan (854 designation) or a wagon (855 designation), these units were marked by a unique trim setup and the highest stock engine performance setup that Volvo had mass-produced to-date.

My information indicates (and I would love to hear from anybody who can add to what little this is) that 5000 Rs were built per year in MY 1996 and 1997. Of that number, approximately 1500 were shipped to North America (the majority to the US, of course) and almost all being equipped with a 237 hp motor and auto gearbox. From what little I have been able to gather from my research, my car is one of the very few NA cars brought in with the 247 hp engine and 5 speed gearbox (verified by VIN). This research has indicated that only fourteen 5-speed Rs (1996 only and/or 1997 ???) were delivered into the North American market, all being delivered to Canada. The fourteen were split into nine 854s and five 855s and the colour distribution among these fourteen units is unknown to me at this time.

I wil add more to this site as I gather information and I would welcome any verifiable info anyone can provide on the '96 Rs in general and the North American Rs in particular. Thanks.