Volvo 480 ES FWD Turns 25

Swedish automaker Volvo is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its first front-wheel drive model, the 480 ES. The result of the Galaxy project, the 480 ES debuted at the 1985 Geneva Auto Show. Aside from the FWD layout, the car also featured a rear body shaped like an estate car and a glass tailgate.

Other highlights included pop-up headlamps and the classic Volvo grille with its diagonal ribbon positioned below the front bumper. The exterior was designed by Dutchman John De Vries with Briton Peter Horbury being responsible for the interior.

The 480 ES was powered by a 1.7 litre SOHC Renault unit with electronic fuel-injection installed transversely and developing 109 horsepower, driving the front wheels through a five-speed gearbox.

For model year 1988 more power was added in the form of turbocharging. The Volvo 480 Turbo was fitted with an electronically-controlled turbocharger unit with intercooler which raised power output to 120 hp and resulted in a top speed of over 125 mph (200 km/h). In 1993, the normally-aspirated engine was enlarged to 2 litres, resulting in 110 hp and improved torque.

“A prototype convertible was shown at the 1990 Geneva Motorshow but never reached production. However, both prototypes that were built have survived and sit in Volvo Museum. Another couple of design studies, among them a targatop and a fastback were also built and have also been saved for the future,” a company statement reads.

The last 480 rolled off the line in Born at the same time the new S40 compact was introduced, on September 7, 1995, and another technical generation has therefore debuted.