Considered by many enthusiasts to be the original super estate/wagon, the 1994 Volvo 850/855 T-5R turns 20 this year. Official tuning house Polestar decided to mark the occasion by sanctioning a special photoshoot of both the legendary T5-R next to its new spiritual successor, the Volvo V60 Polestar – which is not unlike our own series of new vs old galleries.
A lot has changed in 20 years, of course. Once seen as devilishly fast, the 855 T-5R’s performance figures – 240 hp and 330 Nm of torque from a 2.3 litre turbocharged inline-five engine, 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds and a 245 km/h top speed – may not appear all that impressive anymore; not least compared to what a modern super wagon can do.
The latest Volvo V60 Polestar has a 3.0 litre twin-scroll turbo inline-six pushing out 350 hp and 500 Nm of torque, and can get to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 250 km/h, with a six-speed automatic gearbox handling the gearchanges as opposed to the 855’s archaic four-speeder. Power is sent to all four wheels too, not just to the fronts like on the T-5R.
Over the years, the super wagon class has exploded, and now includes hard-hitting German players such as the 510 PS/500 Mercedes-AMG C 63 S Estate and the 450 hp/430 Nm Audi RS 4 Avant. Nothing quite matches the appeal of having sports car-beating performance while carrying a big haul of IKEA goods, right?
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Box v Curve
still think it’s an amazing feat for volvo to come up with something like 850 T-5R those years, especially when you consider how “safe” (both in features and overall characteristics) volvo cars used to be.
legendary BTCC winner until the sore losers decided to gang up and complain that the estate is a 5 door sedan and not 4 door sedan
The 855 or more known as 850 T5 here once rules our highways as the traffic police cruiser. Heard from eyewitness that the 855 can still burn rubber even at 80kmh cruising!
Just one word… TIPAI!
I kinda prefer the boxy T-5R. Its really a sleeper car. You’d think its a soccer mom/dad, till you get smoked when the traffic lights turn green.
I think even the newer Volvo’s are capable of pulling off a sleeper with their safety-focused brand image and the relatively docile look of their cars. Their recent trend of using high-powered engines also help.
Back then, Volvo was the No. 1 choice when come to safety. All the doctors, head masters and lecturers will opt for one.
Even after 20 years, this 855 still can smoke most of the cars on the road.
If only Polestar made it with manual too…
Still, love both of them. Fast, Swedish bricks aww yeaaa
850R T5, is the first introduce, since that Wagen’s performance car is coming from other maker, however I would appears Federal Auto to bring down the cost to benefits all the past 850R T5 owner, may be its give the legend boom up again that handle by tuner Polester, any how keep it up, bro…..
Nice rim design on Polestar…Huge and really make the wagon looks good.
My first turbo experience was on a Volvo 850 T5 ! Memories….
i remember the t-5r came with a manual