Volvo 440 celebrates its 30th anniversary

The work of what will later be the Volvo 440 began in 1978. It was a new project that would turn the company into Volvo Cars of the future. The freedom of ideas and the reaching of the summit were the keys, and that is why the project was named Galaxy . In September 1980, the first prototype front-wheel drive was ready. Although it was intended primarily to test the various functions, its appearance was already similar to that of the future Volvo 440. The G4, as it was called the prototype, combined all the features that Volvo was looking for. He had front wheel drive and driving it was fun. The interior interior offers plenty of space despite being a compact vehicle.

The project Galaxy culminated with the launch of two series of models, the 400 and the 850. The greatest impact was achieved by the 850 series, introduced in the summer of 1991, with its big vehicles, although the 400 program was born several years ago. This part of the project took place in 1992 at Volvo's Dutch subsidiaries, where development work continued.

The first Volvo front-wheel-drive coupé was the 480 coupe, which was officially introduced at the 1986 Geneva Motor Show. This unique product paved the way for the 440, which was introduced two years later and entered into competition in the segment of medium-sized vehicles. The Volvo 440 was a modern saloon with a practical rear seat divided into two sections. The center panel of the console looked towards the driver and gave him access to the controls. The configurations associated with the program of this model with the 700 series, with its smooth sides and its almost vertical low windows. All engines were four-cylinder with a single camshaft, 1.6 to 2 liters and a 1.7-inch turbo

Of course, safety was a key issue and the ABS anti-lock system was already available optional in 1989. Seatbelt pretensioners and airbags were installed from the 1991 version, and Volvo's Integrated Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) was incorporated in 1994. The vehicle was manufactured in Born. Netherlands), where the previous 340/360 and 480 were also produced.The next model of the 400 series, the 460, was a 10 cm longer sedan version of the 440 and was introduced in 1989. The Volvo 440 it was no longer manufactured in November 1996; at that time, his successors, the S40 and the V40, had been manufactured simultaneously for more than a year.

Eight things you did not know about the Volvo 440:

• The Volvo 440 also had a police vehicle version as a patrol car by the National and Regional Police of the Netherlands, among other countries.
• The 400 Series has never had a Station Wagon version, but two external design companies have created proposals for it. In the United States, the Detroit ASC has created a sketch, while the Frenchman Heuliez has built a prototype Station Wagon for the 400 series. One of them is part of the Museum's collections. Volvo.
• The design of the Volvo 440 is attributed to Peter van Kuilenburg, who worked in the design department of Volvo Car BV, but his design was based on the G4 prototype of Jan Wilsgaard, Design Manager.
• A Dutch company has proposed a conversion kit in Station Wagon. In this version, the hatchback was removed and replaced with a roof, windows and a fiberglass chest door. Volvo did not participate in the project and did not even give permission for the conversion.
• A rallycross version of the Volvo 440, with a Volvo engine of 2.3 liters and 16 valves and a power of 715 HP, competed in 1992. This vehicle also had four-wheel drive
• The 440 Turbo had like standard an electronic information center that indicated fuel consumption, average speed, distance that could be traveled with the remaining fuel, oil temperature, coolant temperature and outdoor temperature . When the ignition is switched on, the display shows "OK" if the oil level is correct.
• On 1 December 1991, Volvo Car BV ceased production of the 400 series and the manufacture was transferred to NedCar BV The new company belonged to the Dutch State, Volvo Personvagnar AB and Mitsubishi Motors
• The concept LCP 2000 was the predecessor of the 400 series. This "Light Components Project" was introduced in spring 1983; it was a manageable prototype of a future light vehicle. The LCP2000 was manufactured in a variety of lightweight materials and had a front wheel drive with a transverse engine.