480 review
Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2021 2:44 pm
Just found a rather nice review of the 480 from Vogue magazine dated November 1987. Being a thick magazine, I spent 10 minutes trying unsuccessfully to scan it, then another 15 minutes trying to take photos. In the end I gave up and spent 5 minutes typing it into Word
Emma Soames takes her friends for a ride in the new Volvo Coupe
GOING STEADY
The problem with Volvos is that their virtues of safety and reliability have been promoted to such an extent, that their image tends to be one of safety belts, green wellington boots and baby seats. Although remarkably successful in impressing the public with their safety record and the reliability of their range, Volvo evidently feel that they are missing out on a large chunk of the car buying market. Not everyone wants to bat down motorways in a tank; not everyone has sleepless nights about their car’s reliability. Some people want their cars to be, well, fun.
It is at these giddy, stylish and dare I say, younger drivers that the Volvo 480ES (£11,495 inc.) is aimed. It certainly looks quite seductive with its low-slung 2-doored body and sleek bonnet with foldaway headlights. No detail is spared – power assisted steering, heated mirrors, central locking, electrically controlled windows and burglar alarms are all standard. Nor has any sacrifice been made on the safety front: the body is built to provide protection from both side impact and rollover, and its construction of plastic composites is proof against almost any likely obstruction – such as other cars, corrosion or loose chips.
However, where the car fails is in its performance. Although people buy sports cars to impress their personalities on the world by driving something that looks dashing, they also want something that goes fast, and in this respect the Volvo 480ES is rather disappointing. The four-cylinder fuel injected engine produces 0-60 in ten seconds and a top speed of 110 mph but its acceleration is not good. I carried out my personal litmus test near one of London’s bridges where I reckon I should be able to overtake at least one car between the roundabout and the bridge. The Volvo simply wasn’t up to this sudden, sharp demand. Very politely, it refused.
Indeed, the coupe does everything with the utmost politeness. It corners tightly, holds the road immaculately and parks easily, thanks to its efficient power steering. It didn’t flinch when confronted, at more than 70mph, with a stretch of loose chips. It neither swerved nor screeched, but crunched its way through firmly and safely. Later on I tried driving around a large field several times to test its limits but it treated cowpats, mud and long grass with total aplomb before delivering a car-full of people home down some very narrow country lanes. It is very difficult to make it do anything wrong, but it is not an exciting car and its performance does not compare favourably with - say – some of the new souped-up hatchbacks.
The only surprises it sprang on me were when I fell foul of its safety devices. Having stopped for petrol, I emerged from the petrol station under the admiring eyes of a couple of Glaswegian lorry drivers and the boot suddenly sprang open, which was unnerving, not to say undignified. It transpired that the petrol lock is situated right next to the boot release.
The response the car evoked from its passengers was perhaps most telling: the majority agreed that it wasn’t nearly macho enough for a sports car while those who really liked it were other Volvo owners. Several positively drooled over it; I can see it ending up crunching the same gravel as Volvo Estates, as a luxurious second car. I don’t, however, see it breaking ground amongst the unconverted.
Emma Soames takes her friends for a ride in the new Volvo Coupe
GOING STEADY
The problem with Volvos is that their virtues of safety and reliability have been promoted to such an extent, that their image tends to be one of safety belts, green wellington boots and baby seats. Although remarkably successful in impressing the public with their safety record and the reliability of their range, Volvo evidently feel that they are missing out on a large chunk of the car buying market. Not everyone wants to bat down motorways in a tank; not everyone has sleepless nights about their car’s reliability. Some people want their cars to be, well, fun.
It is at these giddy, stylish and dare I say, younger drivers that the Volvo 480ES (£11,495 inc.) is aimed. It certainly looks quite seductive with its low-slung 2-doored body and sleek bonnet with foldaway headlights. No detail is spared – power assisted steering, heated mirrors, central locking, electrically controlled windows and burglar alarms are all standard. Nor has any sacrifice been made on the safety front: the body is built to provide protection from both side impact and rollover, and its construction of plastic composites is proof against almost any likely obstruction – such as other cars, corrosion or loose chips.
However, where the car fails is in its performance. Although people buy sports cars to impress their personalities on the world by driving something that looks dashing, they also want something that goes fast, and in this respect the Volvo 480ES is rather disappointing. The four-cylinder fuel injected engine produces 0-60 in ten seconds and a top speed of 110 mph but its acceleration is not good. I carried out my personal litmus test near one of London’s bridges where I reckon I should be able to overtake at least one car between the roundabout and the bridge. The Volvo simply wasn’t up to this sudden, sharp demand. Very politely, it refused.
Indeed, the coupe does everything with the utmost politeness. It corners tightly, holds the road immaculately and parks easily, thanks to its efficient power steering. It didn’t flinch when confronted, at more than 70mph, with a stretch of loose chips. It neither swerved nor screeched, but crunched its way through firmly and safely. Later on I tried driving around a large field several times to test its limits but it treated cowpats, mud and long grass with total aplomb before delivering a car-full of people home down some very narrow country lanes. It is very difficult to make it do anything wrong, but it is not an exciting car and its performance does not compare favourably with - say – some of the new souped-up hatchbacks.
The only surprises it sprang on me were when I fell foul of its safety devices. Having stopped for petrol, I emerged from the petrol station under the admiring eyes of a couple of Glaswegian lorry drivers and the boot suddenly sprang open, which was unnerving, not to say undignified. It transpired that the petrol lock is situated right next to the boot release.
The response the car evoked from its passengers was perhaps most telling: the majority agreed that it wasn’t nearly macho enough for a sports car while those who really liked it were other Volvo owners. Several positively drooled over it; I can see it ending up crunching the same gravel as Volvo Estates, as a luxurious second car. I don’t, however, see it breaking ground amongst the unconverted.