"Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

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volcar16
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"Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by volcar16 » Sun Apr 25, 2021 1:54 pm

Volvo 480 Celebration article from Autocar magazine ...

Image
1995 Volvo 480 Celebration 244/480 (owned 20 years)
2002 Volvo C70 T5 Coupe (owned 16 years, featured in "Classic & Sportscar" magazine, May 2021)
2009 Mercedes A160 (the sacrificial car used for work protecting the Volvos :D )

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by jifflemon » Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:59 pm

If you’ve got a high res pdf scan I’d love a copy.

Surprised they got the power output wrong!

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by Martin63 » Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:05 pm

6 colours? Is that correct?
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by edie_fox » Sun Apr 25, 2021 4:32 pm

“22,000 480 owners”

What is it now? About 200 at best. :(

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MisterH
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by MisterH » Sun Apr 25, 2021 5:44 pm

Surprised that they found the handling so bad, from all other accounts it is superb, but then maybe the 2.0 had different dynamics
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
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Annoying Scratching Squeak
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volcar16
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by volcar16 » Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:14 pm

jifflemon wrote:
Sun Apr 25, 2021 3:59 pm
If you’ve got a high res pdf scan I’d love a copy.

Surprised they got the power output wrong!
Yes certainly, pm your email and I'll send across
1995 Volvo 480 Celebration 244/480 (owned 20 years)
2002 Volvo C70 T5 Coupe (owned 16 years, featured in "Classic & Sportscar" magazine, May 2021)
2009 Mercedes A160 (the sacrificial car used for work protecting the Volvos :D )

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:31 pm

Surprised that they found the handling so bad, from all other accounts it is superb, but then maybe the 2.0 had different dynamics
Al and I each have a 2litre and a turbo, we are agreed (makes a change!) that the 2 litre has better handling. I often wonder if the journalists that write these reviews have actually driven the cars.
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by Martin63 » Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:54 pm

dragonflyjewels wrote:
Sun Apr 25, 2021 6:31 pm
Surprised that they found the handling so bad, from all other accounts it is superb, but then maybe the 2.0 had different dynamics
Al and I each have a 2litre and a turbo, we are agreed (makes a change!) that the 2 litre has better handling. I often wonder if the journalists that write these reviews have actually driven the cars.
Agreed - what on earth does "blue rinse image" mean?! It reminds me of music journalists where I used to wonder "have they actually listened to this?"
480 ES - M696 UFC - January 1995
480 GT - M586 TMF - August 1994

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dragonflyjewels
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by dragonflyjewels » Sun Apr 25, 2021 7:00 pm

'blue rinse' refers to old ladies who used to have their hair done with the stuff (giving away my age here!) It's the female version of 'cloth cap'
Sylvia

Snazzy - 1993 Paris Blue ES red dipstick 2.0i bought 2001
Lethal Lily - 1991 White Turbo
Paris the Unicorn - 1991 Paris Edition
hubby has
Sven - 1994 Racing Green GT
Evil Eva - 1992 Paris Blue Turbo

no previous 480s - can't bear to sell any

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by dcwalker » Sun Apr 25, 2021 7:33 pm

I remember that article when it came out and I still have a paper copy! On the one hand it was quite complimentary, but on the other hand the journalist hadn't done his homework or driven the car.

No, there weren't 6 colours for the Celebration, just 3 (burgundy red metallic, storm grey metallic, and white satin).

No, front fog lights weren't a "gain" - all UK 480s except S models had them.

No, the 2.0 doesn't handle poorly - in fact, provided the suspension is still all in good condition the handling is both sharp and tight.

But there we are... :lol:

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by Jay-Kay-Em » Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:45 pm

Even the most thickest rose tinted glasses can't escape the fact that by 1995, the 480 was quite dated against the competition. The poor car was even having to compete with Volvo's own too, as if life wasn't hard enough; the T5R.

Other sports coupes were destroying the car on performance.... Toyota Celica GT-Four.

Other sports coupes had masterpiece engines... Honda Prelude VTEC.

Even by 1993 the Clio Williams was a front wheel drive revelation.

Journo's would of also have had the pleasure of testing the Honda Integra Type R (DC2 - JDM only) in 1995. To this day that is regarded as one of the best handling front wheel drive cars of all time.

Even saloon cars by 1994, like the Alfa 155 Silverstone and their 1994 BTCC victory produced way more spice in the showrooms than any 480 :cry:

The 480 always had good handling when this is gauged by mathematical grip; it's a light car and with wide tyres, so its always going to 'handle'. But, in my opinion, this does not translate to dynamism. It's a hard term to define, but it sort of means the car feels 'alive' and in turn, begs you to thrash it harder. I would put the 480 in the sports touring category... good grip but a chassis with a comfort bias.

What I will criticise the article on is slagging off the dashboard as 'ugly'; which I totally disagree with. I think it's a great piece of design... not a showcase of structural integrity though :rofl:

I note the M57WJO press photo (last MoT 2006 incidentally) is another Oxford registration (JO) and M**WJO are all Volvos. I would put good money on this being another "Lyehill Quarry" car from the Volvo PDI centre.

Volvo had a thing with press photos and London bridges because the 1994 brochure had one too:

Image

Great to see, thanks for scanning.
Jay-Kay-Em
-------------------------------------
Click here for My 480 Turbo Diary
Click here for My Cars

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dcwalker
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by dcwalker » Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:29 pm

I'd largely agree with you, Jay.

I do think it's important to remember thought that what Volvo had I mind all along was a sports tourer - what used to be categorised as a "GT" - the 480 was never intended as an out and out sports car.

Just like the P1800 before it.

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by MisterH » Mon Apr 26, 2021 4:32 pm

dcwalker wrote:
Sun Apr 25, 2021 9:29 pm
I'd largely agree with you, Jay.

I do think it's important to remember thought that what Volvo had I mind all along was a sports tourer - what used to be categorised as a "GT" - the 480 was never intended as an out and out sports car.

Just like the P1800 before it.

David
And that is where I get the most frustrated, people calling it a hot hatch. It never was and wasn't meant to be. It would have similar performance to a sporting golf I would say, but is set up differently, and is closer to a Gen4 Celica in terms of its aim.

I must say the 480 does encourage me to enjoy the turn as its handling does stand out I would say, it feels like it goes where you point it. Compared to the Rover, which is a full on Hot Hatch, and very nice, I would say the Volvo has a nicer handling feel as you feel more connected with it.

To steal a line from Ford, man and machine in perfect harmony...









...Until the throttle idle has a moment
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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volcar16
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by volcar16 » Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:26 pm

Yep I agree with the above analyses of the 480, cars had moved on by 1995. Doesn't stop it being an intriguing bit of car design that still fascinates us to this day though. :D

Image
1995 Volvo 480 Celebration 244/480 (owned 20 years)
2002 Volvo C70 T5 Coupe (owned 16 years, featured in "Classic & Sportscar" magazine, May 2021)
2009 Mercedes A160 (the sacrificial car used for work protecting the Volvos :D )

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MisterH
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by MisterH » Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:30 pm

I do think they could have picked a better spot rather than a wall to just dump it in front of...
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by Alan 480 » Tue Apr 27, 2021 3:42 pm

MisterH wrote:
Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:30 pm
I do think they could have picked a better spot rather than a wall to just dump it in front of...
almost crashed into?

I'd agree it is more old skool GT than VW GTi
Alan

480 ES 2litre 'Celebration' ? , C30 1.8ES, SS1

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dcwalker
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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by dcwalker » Tue Apr 27, 2021 6:00 pm

Perhaps that's where it ended up when the handbrake failed... ;)

Hammersmith Bridge (I think) in that one; Tower Bridge in the other one shown on this thread (which is in one of the brochures as well). So yes, there was a thing about London bridges it seems.

Did anyone else notice the top of HMY Britannia just showing over the black turbo? I'm surprised the photographer didn't try to make more use of that - the Royal Yacht and a Volvo 480 in the same breath...

David
Current: 1994 480 GT, 1996 460 CD & 1997 440 LE with lots of optional extras & 2007 V50 SE Sport
Previous: Celebration 331 (re-homed with Richard S), Celebration 467 (returned to Martin Mc); Celebration 346 (re-homed with Alan480); Celebration 269 (scrapped abandoned project), Celebration 73 (sold on after 6 years), 1992 ES, 1988 ES - and numerous other non-480 Volvos!

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Re: "Volvo 480 Bows Out With Dignity", Autocar magazine 19th July 1995

Post by MisterH » Tue Apr 27, 2021 7:26 pm

Alan 480 wrote:
Tue Apr 27, 2021 3:42 pm
MisterH wrote:
Mon Apr 26, 2021 6:30 pm
I do think they could have picked a better spot rather than a wall to just dump it in front of...
almost crashed into?

I'd agree it is more old skool GT than VW GTi
Almost like a reinvention of the Capri but with a 1980s twist, and scene tax

Instead of Scene Tax, we have scene oligopoly: all the 480's eventually end up with a specific group of people with the space and skills - It's the 480 Oligarchy! :hopping:
Current Jobs to do (23/1/22):
Fix Central Locking
Fix drivers side speaker
Annoying Scratching Squeak
Water leaks
Complete Front O/S rebuild

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