Performance Review: Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo 940 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.This particular Volvo 940 has a 2316cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The 940 shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the 940's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1407 kgs (3101 lbs) this makes the Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged Auto or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo 940 shares the same bhp with the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp)

In terms of power the 2316cc 16V St4 engine produces 190 bhp (141 kW) @ 3000 rpm similar to the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (177 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 206 lb-ft (279.2 Nm) @ 2800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo 940 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1999 Honda Accord 2.2 16V Type R (160.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo 940.

The Volvo 940 has a Power to weight ratio of 135.0 bhp per ton and 146.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 940 competing with the 1999 Honda Accord 2.2 16V Type R (160.0 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Peugeot 206 2.0 GTi 180 (160.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo 940 generating around 146.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2012 Audi A5 RS5 4.2 V8 Cabriolet (171.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth (171.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs). This Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the 940 and the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250

When talking about the performance of the Volvo 940 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.64 secs @ 87.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1972 Lamborghini Urraco 2.5L V8 P250 (15.57 secs), the 1960 Dodge Dart Phoenix 5.9 V8 360 Hardtop (15.57 secs), and the 2002 Renault Megane 2.0 T Renaultsport Trophy 225 (15.58 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1990 version of the Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo has a maximum speed of 127mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 940 equals the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo then how about the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (138 mph), the 2008 Audi A3 2.0tdi Quattro S-Line (138 mph), or the 2004 Renault Clio 2.0 16V Renaultsport Trophy 182 (138 mph).

Related Links:

1990 940 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison