At the time of launch, the advertising for the Volvo 850 read: “The most Mediterranean of the Swedes”. In fact, even in the quieter versions, the 850 (renamed S70/V70 in December 1996) boasted excellent qualities with a series of 5-cylinder atmospheric engines, from 2000 to 2500cc with ten or twenty valves, with powers ranging from 126 at 170hp. Robust and tuneful, these engines were particularly suited to long distances. The 2.5 low pressure turbo (193hp) was added in 1997, with equally good characteristics. The car went out of production in 2000.
The GLT version of the Volvo 850, with a 2.5 liter engine with 10 or 20 valves, remained in production from 1992 to 1997. In 1993 the break configuration was also introduced.