Sweden is the nation that introduced the world each smart flat-pack furnishings and likewise terrifying Viking raiding events. In the present day’s choose from Deliver A Trailer—which, like Automotive and Driver, is a part of the Hearst Autos—embodies the spirit of each. It’s that tastiest of Swedish delicacies, a sensible Volvo wagon with a snootful of turbocharged Ragnarok underneath the hood.
Volvo began turbocharging its wagons again within the Nineteen Eighties with the boxy 240. By the point this V70R rolled onto the scene, the Swedes had refined efficiency right down to a effective artwork. From the skin, this 2004 instance appears reserved and good-looking, devoid of the large grilles or cannon-sized tailpipes that you simply may discover in a German efficiency machine.
The 17-inch five-spoke wheels and a few “R” badging are the wink and nod to the cognoscenti. In any other case, it is your typical labradoodle transportation gadget.
Higher get that canine a racing helmet. From the manufacturing unit, the V70R’s 2.5-liter inline-five was good for 300 horsepower, 295 pound-feet of torque, and a rippling snarl normally solely present in Audi rallying machines. The ability was fed to the bottom by all 4 wheels, making the V70R each massively grippy within the corners and unfazed by any inclement climate. Even higher, shifting duties are dealt with by a six-speed handbook—and take a look at that spaceball shifter.
Nowadays, Volvo has shifted to a kinder, greener picture, with loads of EVs within the combine. This technology of V70R hails from a time when a Volvo station wagon competing in British Touring Automotive racing was a reasonably current reminiscence. It is as fast as a BMW M or Mercedes AMG product, however with out shouting concerning the efficiency.
With 139,000 miles on the odometer, this speedy Swede ought to nonetheless have loads of life left. Upgrades to the brakes and a cat-back exhaust have been sourced from Volvo efficiency specialist IPD. There are just a few beauty points to be sorted out, together with some repairs to the leather-based seats, though we dig the snappy blue inside.
Then settle in, marshal your 300 horses with that six-speed handbook ‘field, and experience for Valhalla (alongside together with your canine Spot). This no-reserve public sale ends June 8.
Contributing Editor
Brendan McAleer is a contract author and photographer based mostly in North Vancouver, B.C., Canada. He grew up splitting his knuckles on British vehicles, got here of age within the golden period of Japanese sport-compact efficiency, and commenced writing about automobiles and folks in 2008. His explicit curiosity is the intersection between humanity and equipment, whether or not it’s the racing profession of Walter Cronkite or Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki’s half-century obsession with the Citroën 2CV. He has taught each of his younger daughters the right way to shift a handbook transmission and is grateful for the excuse they supply to be perpetually shopping for Sizzling Wheels.
