Every Volvo Sports Car You Should Know
From the timeless P1800 to the luxurious, cutting-edge S90, these are Volvo’s coolest sports cars.
Written by Samuel Todd
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
We get it—when most people think of the word “Volvo,” they think of sturdy, reliable, family-friendly sedans, not jaw-dropping sports cars. Believe it or not, Volvo has actually created some outstanding performance vehicles over the years, including one in the 2022 lineup.
Ready to learn more? Here to take you through 60 years of Volvo’s greatest sports cars is
Jerry
, the super app
that saves you money on car insurance
. Let’s jump in!Does Volvo make sports cars?
Though the Swedish automaker is best known for its crossovers and mid-sized sedans, Volvo has designed a suite of impressive sports cars through the years. Today, it’s got one luxury car that fits the bill: the 2022 Volvo S90.
Let’s take a closer look at three of Volvo’s most influential sports cars.
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1961 Volvo P1800
The Volvo P1800 debuted as a four-seater coupe with a straight-four engine that produced 100 horsepower. That might not sound like much today—but back in 1960, it was plenty of giddy-up to raise a few heart rates!
What the P1800 was really known for, though, was its exceptionally stylish design. From its long, sleek hood to its prominent grille, the P1800 looked like something out of a Bond film. In reality, that wasn’t far from the truth!
The gorgeous coupe gained fame all around Europe when it was featured in the television series The Saint between 1962 and 1969. People saw the witty, suave, and smooth-talking Roger Moore behind the wheel of a white P1800, and they decided they wanted in on the action.
On top of its performance and design, there’s something to be said for the P1800’s durability. After all, a 1966 P1800S holds the Guinness World Record for most miles on a non-commercial vehicle. Back when the honor was bestowed, owner Irv Gordon had put 1.69 million miles on the coupe. Today, that number has swelled to a mind-boggling 3.25 million!
2017 Volvo S60 Polestar
Volvo released a handful of sports cars in the late 1900s, but they didn’t reach the pinnacle of speed until recent years. Though it’s over five years old, the S60 Polestarremains the fastest sports car ever produced by Volvo.
Propelled by a 362-horsepower four-cylinder, the S60 sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Sure, it won’t quite keep up with the lightning-fast
Tesla Model S
or BMW M5
, but the S60 Polestar is still quick enough to earn you some serious street cred. If you’re thinking about buying a used car and you’ve got a need for speed, you should be able to find a 2017 Volvo S60s for about $25,000 today!2022 Volvo S90
Did someone say speed? Technically, the Volvo S90 is marketed as a luxury car, but it’s got “sports car” written all over it. If you go for the T8 hybrid trim level, the S90 scorches to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Better yet, its supercharged inline-four engine churns out a whopping 455 horsepower, which will enable you to merge at high speeds with ease.
As icing on the cake, the Volvo S90’s hybrid powertrain boasts a phenomenal fuel rating of 66MPGe combined. Plus, with a 38-mile all-electric driving range, you’ll rarely have to dip into the fuel tank! If your daily commute is less than twenty minutes each way, you should be able to travel solely on electricity, which will save you a pretty penny at the pump.
Here’s how the 2022 S90 breaks down by MSRP:
* S90 Momentum—$53,895
* S90 R-Design—$56,995
* S90 Inscription—$56,995
* S90 T8 R-Design—$62,095
* S90 T8 Inscription—$62,095
A brief history of the Volvo sports car
The P1800, S60 Polestar, and 2022 S90 are three of Volvo’s best sports cars—but there’s more to the story! Let’s dive into a brief history of Volvo's high-performance pursuits.
1960: Volvo dazzles the automotive world with the introduction of the Volvo P1800. Over the next 13 years, the P1800 evolves into the 1800S, 1800E, and 1800ES. It’s a critical and commercial hit, selling nearly 50,000 units worldwide.
1973: Production ends on the Volvo P1800. After more than a decade of success, Volvo begins the search for the next big thing.
1995: The Volvo 850 T-5R makes waves in the automotive world. Car and Driver describes it as a “very boss wagon disguised as a yellow brick.” Today, Volvo’s 240-hp boss wagon is considered to be one of its coolest cars from the 90s—even with its portly yellow exterior!
2013: Volvo releases the Volvo S60 Polestar, which produces a monstrous 508 horsepower. The production version of the S60 drops to 325 horsepower, making it more affordable for consumers.
2022: Volvo’s 455-hp plug-in hybrid S90 is met with critical acclaim, earning an 8/10 rating from Car and Driver and 8.1/10 from Edmunds. With a spectacular blend of power and fuel economy, the S90 lays the foundation for decades of luxurious Volvos to come.
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How to save money on Volvo insurance
Whether you’ve been loyal to Volvo for decades or you’re just getting into the game, it’s probably time to revisit your insurance rate! After all, experts recommend that you shop for car insurance
every six months
to guarantee that you’re getting the sweetest deal.And guess what?
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