In June 1988 Volvo unveils its new 440. It is a five-door family car that shares its technology with the Volvo 480 sports coupé. For Volvo, it means the definitive embrace of front-wheel drive. The development of the Volvo 440 starts in 1978. The new project with the name 'Galaxy' should lead Volvo to the Volvo models of the future. Galaxy (Melkweg) is a reference to the free thinking with which the car is created. The 1996 is built until 440, together with the sedan brother 460. The duo is loved both privately and in business.
In September 1980, the first front-wheel drive prototype is ready. Although the prototype is mainly intended for testing, the car already closely resembles what would later become the Volvo 440. The G4 – as the prototype is called – is exactly what Volvo is looking for. The concept is equipped with front-wheel drive. The interior is spacious while the exterior dimensions are fairly compact. The Galaxy project leads to the presentation of two model series. The big 850 – which Volvo introduces in the summer of 1991 and which makes an impression – and the 400 series that comes out earlier. This part of the project was taken over in 1992 by subsidiaries in the Netherlands. Development is also completed here.
First the 480, then the 440
The first result of Volvo's new front-wheel drive models is the impressively designed sports coupé, the 480. Volvo presented this distinctive niche model as early as 1986 at the Geneva Motor Show. Two years later, the 440 follows, a Volvo that competes for the consumer's favor in the middle class. The design of the Volvo 440 is attributed to the Dutchman Peter van Kuilenburg who works in the design department of Volvo Cars. But the actual shape comes from the prototype G4, designed by chief designer Jan Wilsgaard.
Modern hatchback with family face
The Volvo 440 is a modern hatchback with a practical rear seat that can be folded down into two parts. The center section of the dashboard faces the driver. That way he or she can easily operate all buttons. The model has clear similarities to the 700 series with its smooth sides and low, almost vertically positioned side windows. The beautiful 440 is available with four-cylinder engines, all of which have a single overhead camshaft. The range starts with a 1,7 engine. A 1,7-liter turbo version will also be available. The 1,8 with injection replaces the regular 1,7 with carburetion in 1990. The car is produced in Born, the Netherlands. The Volvo 340/360 – the actual predecessors of the 440/460 – and the 480 are also produced here.
Safety
Bearing in mind the Volvo philosophy: safety is paramount. The 440 is therefore optionally available with ABS from 1989. And from model year 1991, belt tensioners and airbags will be added. Volvo is adding the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) to this in 1994. For model year 1991, the 440 is also available with a CVT automatic transmission. This novelty coincides with the introduction of the B18U engine. Previously a four-speed automatic transmission from ZF found a place on the options list of the 440.
Sedan brother
Two years earlier, in 1989, the sedan version of the Volvo 440 sees the light of day. That is the Volvo 460. The model is ten centimeters longer and can also enjoy considerable interest. The 460 is offered in almost the same delivery variants as the 440. For 1994, this Volvo series is facelifted. Among other things, it gets a different front, painted with the body color and modified bumpers, standard power steering and the already mentioned SIPS. A 1994 petrol engine, a 1,6 petrol engine and a 2,0 Turbo diesel engine from Renault will also be available for model year 1,9. Eventually the successors S40 and V40 will be launched. Production will run parallel to that of the Volvo 440/460 for another year, ending in November 1996. Both the 440 and the 460 are popular in the business market. Of the 440, 384.682 units will be manufactured, while 238.401 buyers will sign the order form for a 460.
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My teaching car on LPG!
Came across solid. My instructor was proud of it.
During my driving course, he was hit head-on by another student. No injuries and in the 2nd 440 I drove off in 1 go.
I bought a 1989 GLT in 440… When collecting from the dealer, the rear floor mats are wet! Find it incomprehensible that on a GLT the bumpers were not painted in body color ... (the case was a year or so later) The finish quality of the dashboard left something to be desired ... The car also cried out for wider rims (wheel arches in the front too strongly bulged) Have drove it for 15 years...
I am still happy with my yellow 850 T5R Estate Aut, what a beast of a car and super nice, have had it since 1994, is now at 112.000 km
Outstanding chairs designed by Rob Groenen and manufactured by Sicar.
I'm starting to suspect that there's a bit of Dutchness in me because – oh my god – I wish DAF could have turned out to be such a car someday. What an almost timeless line.
Cool, classic and modern: which city cars of '88 were equally beautiful?
Volvo definitively opts for FWD with the 440, I read, in a car magazine.
XC 40 and C40 Recharge will soon prove that RWD is back at Volvo. My 70 V6 T2012 has AWD by the way.
Embracing it is different from making a final choice and saying goodbye to other forms of drive. That is nowhere. However, it was decided to also explicitly apply FWD. Undeniable, even by an editor of a car magazine.
and now a sweet / sour brand, such a shame, it can be wrong ...
Very nice and good car. Was slightly larger than its competitors, I think also slightly more expensive, but that was justifiable by the dimensions and quality. Rode/rides very light-footed. Just nice cars. The 1.7 engine also came from Renault, of course. Great block. The 480 is of course still a beautiful car.