When an automaker builds a multi-decade reputation, it’s hard to shake. From the mid-1970s through to the 1990s, Volvo built solid three-box cars renowned for their safety. The specific clichés depend on the country you live in, but a college professor driving a Volvo wagon is a common one in many parts of the US. But in the 1980s, something started to change at Volvo. The evolution didn’t immediately change perceptions of Volvo, but it sparked a chain of fascinating engine configurations.
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