Segment: Medium
Production years: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974
Volvo ended the Amazon series and introduced the 140 lineup in 1966, along with a new naming system that followed until the late '80s and the 144 was one of them.
The new naming system showed the first number as the series, the second represented the number of cylinders, and the last was for the number of doors. This means the 144 was the first series of the new wave with a four-cylinder engine and four doors. Its siblings were the 142 (the coupe) and the 145 (the station wagon). This car was significant in Volvo's heritage since it defined a design concept that continued until 1998, when it died along with the 960 model.
In 1967, when many other automakers tried to shape their cars with rounded edges, Volvo did the opposite. It made the 144 with flat surfaces, just slightly shaved corners, and an overall rugged look. The only round parts on the bodywork were the headlights. Between them was a flat grille with horizontal slats divided in two. From its sides, the wedged shapes continued on the greenhouse and at the back. Even the taillights were squared and divided into rectangular parts for braking and reversing lights, turn signals, and parking lights.
Inside, the carmaker kept the same wedged shapes of the exterior. It even offered a center stack that hosted the ventilation controls for the upper trim levels. The flat bucket seats at the front inspired the one behind the wheel to drive slower since they offered no side support. But at least the car came fitted with safety belts, which was a huge safety improvement.
Under the hood, Volvo installed the same 1.8-liter powerplant from the rest of the 140 range, and it was mated either with a four-speed manual, a four-speed manual with electrical overdrive, or a three-speed automatic.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 4MT RWD (105 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1782 cm3 |
Power: | 77.2 KW @ 5600 RPM 105 HP @ 5600 RPM 104 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 108 lb-ft @ 3800 RPM 146 Nm @ 3800 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 92 mph (148 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 14.1 s |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 183.1 in (4651 mm) |
Width: | 68 in (1727 mm) |
Height: | 57 in (1448 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53/53 in (1,346/1,346 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102 in (2591 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 21.5 cuFT (609 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2733.7 lbs (1240 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.8L 4MT RWD (86 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1782 cm3 |
Power: | 63.3 KW @ 5000 RPM 86 HP @ 5000 RPM 85 BHP @ 5000 RPM |
Torque: | 112 lb-ft @ 3000 RPM 152 Nm @ 3000 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 183.1 in (4651 mm) |
Width: | 68 in (1727 mm) |
Height: | 57 in (1448 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53/53 in (1,346/1,346 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 102 in (2591 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 21.5 cuFT (609 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2733.7 lbs (1240 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4MT RWD (101 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 74.3 KW @ 5600 RPM 101 HP @ 5600 RPM 100 BHP @ 5600 RPM |
Torque: | 112 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 152 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 182 in (4623 mm) |
Width: | 68 in (1727 mm) |
Height: | 56.7 in (1440 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53/53 in (1,346/1,346 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103 in (2616 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 21.5 cuFT (609 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2624 lbs (1190 kg) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4MT RWD (126 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 93 KW @ 6000 RPM 126 HP @ 6000 RPM 125 BHP @ 6000 RPM |
Torque: | 123 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 167 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Monopoint Injection |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 106 mph (171 km/h) |
TRANSMISSION SPECS | |
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Drive Type: | Rear Wheel Drive |
Gearbox: | 4-speed manual |
BRAKES SPECS | |
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Front: | Discs |
Rear: | Discs |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 182 in (4623 mm) |
Width: | 68 in (1727 mm) |
Height: | 56.7 in (1440 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53/53 in (1,346/1,346 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 103 in (2616 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 8.3 in (211 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 21.5 cuFT (609 L) |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2844 lbs (1290 kg) |