Body style: Hatchback
Segment: Compact
Production years: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982
When Volvo acquired DAF's automobile division, it had a pleasant surprise: the Dutch engineers already had a plan for a new compact car born as the Volvo 300 series.
DAF was losing money with its automobile range and got rid of it at the beginning of the '70s. On the other hand, Volvo needed a factory inside the European Economic Community (EEC) to sell its vehicles without custom charges. Thanks to its deal, it produced the 300 series in Netherland, where DAF used to make its cars.
The 345 was introduced in 1976 on the compact segment. Its design was affected by the rear-wheel-drive platform and made the car moved to the rear. Its leaf-springs were easy to spot under the rear quarter panels. Most of its lines were straight, but the overall design imagined by Bertone was appreciated by the customers. According to the Volvo naming system, it was a 3-Series with a 4-cylinder engine and 5-doors (hatchback).
Inside, due to the transmission tunnel and the short wheelbase, it was hardly room for five adults for a long trip. But it was manageable to use inside cities. Its square-looking dashboard design and instrument cluster were part of the brand's design language, and it didn't seem out of pace.
Under the hood, the 345 featured a choice of two engines. The 1.4-liter was supplied by Renault, while Volvo developed the 2.0-liter unit in-house. Both were paired to a 4-speed manual transmission.
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L 4MT RWD (64 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1397 cm3 |
Power: | 47 KW @ 5500 RPM 64 HP @ 5500 RPM 63 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 77 lb-ft @ 2500 RPM 105 Nm @ 2500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.9 gallons (45.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 93.2 mph (150 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 16.5 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: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
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Length: | 165.74 in (4210 mm) |
Width: | 65.35 in (1660 mm) |
Height: | 54.72 in (1390 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53.93/55.11 in (1,370/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.48 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.4 cuFT (379 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2171.6 lbs (985 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.7 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 1.4L 4MT RWD (70 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1397 cm3 |
Power: | 51 KW @ 5500 RPM 69 HP @ 5500 RPM 68 BHP @ 5500 RPM |
Torque: | 80 lb-ft @ 3500 RPM 108 Nm @ 3500 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.9 gallons (45.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 95.1 mph (153 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 13 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: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
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Tire Size: | 155/SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 165.74 in (4210 mm) |
Width: | 65.35 in (1660 mm) |
Height: | 54.72 in (1390 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53.93/55.11 in (1,370/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.48 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.4 cuFT (379 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2235.5 lbs (1014 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.7 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 24 mpg US (9.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 25 mpg US (9.4 L/100Km) |
ENGINE SPECS - 2.0L 4MT RWD (95 HP) | |
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Cylinders: | L4 |
Displacement: | 1986 cm3 |
Power: | 70 KW @ 5400 RPM 95 HP @ 5400 RPM 94 BHP @ 5400 RPM |
Torque: | 111 lb-ft @ 3600 RPM 150 Nm @ 3600 RPM |
Fuel System: | Carburetor |
Fuel: | Gasoline |
Fuel capacity: | 11.9 gallons (45.0 L) |
PERFORMANCE SPECS | |
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Top Speed: | 102.5 mph (165 km/h) |
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph): | 12.5 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: | Drums |
TIRES SPECS | |
---|---|
Tire Size: | 165/SR13 |
DIMENSIONS | |
---|---|
Length: | 165.74 in (4210 mm) |
Width: | 65.35 in (1660 mm) |
Height: | 54.72 in (1390 mm) |
Front/rear Track: | 53.93/55.11 in (1,370/1,400 mm) |
Wheelbase: | 94.48 in (2400 mm) |
Ground Clearance: | 7.5 in (191 mm) |
Cargo Volume: | 13.4 cuFT (379 L) |
Aerodynamics (Cd): | 0.34 |
WEIGHT SPECS | |
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Unladen Weight: | 2508.9 lbs (1138 kg) |
Gross Weight Limit: | 3174.7 lbs (1440 kg) |
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC) | |
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City: | 21.8 mpg US (10.8 L/100Km) |
Highway: | 26.1 mpg US (9 L/100Km) |
Combined: | 23.5 mpg US (10 L/100Km) |