In June 1988, the presentation of the 5-door Volvo 440 hatchback with a characteristic step on the back door took place. At the heart of this car is the Volvo 480 platform. The model has the same basic technical device as the 480th sports coupe. She has the same transversely mounted engine and front-wheel drive. The audience very favorably met this compact but roomy hatchback.
In the role of power units offered a whole range of engines borrowed from Renault. The most common version is 1.7-liter, with the same working volume, the power of cars with these engines may be different. In 1990, the new 102-strong engine with a volume of 1.7 liters was added to the line of power units. In 1993, there is an easy modernization of the family of the 400th series and Volvo 440 in particular. The changes affected: optics, hood, which is now combined with the grille and bumpers, which were painted in body color. In the salon, on the center console, instead of the control levers of the ventilation and heating systems, more informative switches appeared.
The interior of the Volvo 440 is quite simple and concise. The cabin is cozy and comfortable. The successful shape of the front and rear seats, high-quality upholstery materials, good noise isolation and height adjustment of the steering column (only in expensive trim levels) will make the Volvo 440 a pleasant and unforgettable ride. The dashboard looks somewhat massive. The shape of the cabin deflectors, which are elongated in a vertical plane, looks originally. Depending on the modification, the instrument panel can be of two types: with a speedometer, a large clock, fuel gauge and coolant temperature, and also with a tachometer instead of the pointer clock.
There are lamps on both dashboards that inform about the oil pressure, the water level in the washer reservoir, brake fluid, the doors are not tightly closed, seat belts are not fastened, and that one of the front or rear lights or brake lights burned out. Well thought out interior lighting. So, for example, thanks to the backlight of the ignition lock, it is easy to find it, even at night. For rear passengers there are additional lamps built into the handles above the rear doors. In the back seat can comfortably accommodate three tall passengers. Enough space and from the knees to the front seats. Overall dimensions of the Volvo 440 hatchback are 4311/1678/1405 mm, the base is 2502 mm.
It is worth noting a small ground clearance - only 125 mm. The amount of luggage in the traveling state is 330 liters, by folding the backs of the rear seats, it can be increased to 1025 liters. In 1993, the range was supplemented by a 1.6-liter injection 83-strong B16F, a 1.8-liter 90-strong B18U and a 2.0-liter B20F with 110 hp.
A year later, a diesel unit with a capacity of 1.9 liters and 90 hp appeared. Most of the Volvo 440 cars are equipped with a 5-speed manual gearbox, the 4-speed ZF automatic rifles are found exclusively on versions with a power over 100 hp. The suspension on the Volvo 440 is moderately soft and energy intensive. Front independent - McPherson type, rear - also independent with separately installed shock absorber and spring. To improve the driving characteristics of the suspension is equipped with front and rear (on versions over 100 hp) anti-roll bar. The rack-and-pinion steering has good feedback and sensitivity.
The braking system is characterized by good performance and ensures a high active safety of the car, even considering that the ABS system was installed only as an additional option. The front brakes are disc (on powerful modifications - ventilated discs), the rear ones are also disc ones (on cars of the early years of release - drum). Volvo is known worldwide as a manufacturer of prestigious, comfortable and safe cars, including the Volvo 440. The car is designed to meet the high requirements for passive safety: it has a rigid cabin frame, reinforcement elements inside the doors and a safety frame (subframe) under the engine.
In addition, a specially designed steering column, with a frontal impact develops without damaging the driver’s chest. Volvo 440 has a galvanized body and good paintwork. The body is reliably protected from corrosion, the Swedish manufacturer gives it a 10-year warranty against rust. Despite the prestige, the car has a very modest basic equipment, so the power steering, central locking and power windows were installed only on order.
