Whats the difference between a 855 and a 850? [850][97]... posted by steve  on Monday, 12 March 2001, at 3:15 p.m.

                      I've seen an add for an 855 and was wondering what is the difference between that and a regular 850?
                      Also, would you consider a '97 850R wagon and the V70 T-5 the same as far as engine and options is
                      concern (newer chassis of course)?

                      Steve,
                      855 means wagon (5 doors), hence 854 means sedan (4 doors).
                      Sorry for not able to answer the turbo question.
                      Ching-Ho Cheng
                      --
                      1995 855 N/A

                      800 = 800 series. The second 5 is 5 cylinder engine and last
                      number is number of doors. Volvo used to pretty much keep
                      to that scheme in naming vehicles (there were exceptions) but
                      dropped it around the time the 800 series was introduced.
                      Many dealers and owners continue to use it. You may also see
                      "M" thrown on the end for manual transmission i.e: "98 S70 T5M".

                      The V70 T5 is going to be closer to a 97 850 turbo then a 97 R
                      model. The R model will have a (much) stiffer suspension then
                      the V70 T5. Engine performance would be about the same between
                      the two since the T5 got a bump in power in 98 (a 98 T5 is rated
                      at 236 HP and 241 lb/ft torque).

                      --
                      Ray Niblett 95 855 GLT / 98 S70 T5M

                      Old Volvo nomenclature: first digit is series, second is the number of cylinders (sometimes) last digit is
                      number of doors. The 850 series came in two body styles, the 854 4-door and the 855 wagon.

                      Just to be obtuse, Volvo produced 264s with 4-cylinders and 760s 4-cylinders. The latter the turbo-4.

                      From my limited understanding (and it seems to have varied from year-to-year) a 1993 854GLTA
                      would be a Grand Lux Touring (trim level) four door automatic, and a 854GLTM-S would be a
                      5-speed manual, with a moonroof. No '93s were eiither wagons or turbos. Sometimes. Throw in a
                      turbo, as in 1994, all 850s turbos are automatics in the US, and it gets really confusing.

                      The 855T and V70T5 (New nomenclature: S=sedan, V="versatile", C=coupe or convertible) are pretty
                      much the same cars behind the "A" pillars. The change was mostly the front sheetmetal and the dash and
                      location of the window switches from console to door. The wipers also have different clips.

                      -Whitey