Trim levels
In the United Kingdom, equipment levels were different from mainland Europe. Early cars were available in L, GL, GLE, GLEi, GLT and Turbo trims. The L and GL trim levels were basic; GLE was plush and along with the GL model offered split rear seats compared to the fixed one piece rear bench on the L model; the GLT was a well equipped, mildly sporting trim level. GLT and Turbo were externally similar, both featuring lowered sports suspension and a large rear spoiler. Other trim levels were gradually phased in, such as limited edition Si and Xi, and Turbo later became simply an engine variant, rather than a full trim variant. In early 1991, the black plastic rear view mirrors were replaced by body colored ones.[4]
From 1992, the range was the same for a year and a half. As a result of the facelift of 1994, the range altered drastically. Trim levels were now: base, S (which was intended as a "family" variant), Si (intended as a "sports" variant), SE ("business" variant), GLT ("performance" variant) and CD ("luxury" variant) trims. An Li model also appeared in 1994, offering base spec with the addition of power steering (and, on later models, a sunroof).
From at least 1995 onwards, all engine choices were available with all trim levels. The later Si models and all GLT models were easily distinguishable from the rest of the range, due to the additions of sports suspension (making the car ride visibly lower) and a large rear spoiler. The GLT's specification was, however, significantly higher in featuring part leather upholstery, alloy wheels, ABS, traction control and an uprated stereo system as standard equipment.
The SE was also slightly more distinguishable, having a small rear spoiler which it shared only with the limited edition ES pack model. The ES pack could be added to cars of any engine variant from late 1995. It featured sports suspension, 15" alloy wheels, metallic paint, door sill decals, electric front windows, electric heated mirrors, front and rear armrests, ABS and immobiliser in addition to the small spoiler and an uprated stereo unit.
The S model was also notable, having two foldout child booster seats integrated into the car's rear seat, a dustbin incorporated in the dashboard and rear headrests. However unlike all the 300 Series, the 440 had, at last split rear seats fitted, though only the basic models lacked a split.
Specification of all later cars was high, with many featuring air conditioning – particularly as a result of a special offer operated by Volvo in the United Kingdom in 1995, where £100 deleted the standard electric glass sunroof from the car's specification in favour of air conditioning and 15" alloy wheels, identical to those fitted to Volvo 850 CD models, albeit with lower-profile tyres.
The luxury CD trim came particularly well-specified especially on the later, facelifted cars, with features such as heated black leather seats, interior burr walnut fascia trim, Air-conditioning, electrically operated & heated door mirrors, remote central locking, electric windows (front and rear), electric aerial, premium Volvo RDS radio cassette, thick pile carpeting, alloy wheels as well as ABS. The CD trim level could be optioned with any engine with the exception of the 1.9 Turbo Diesel, where the GLT was the highest available trim line.
The line up was reduced (for example, the Si and GLT models were replaced by the GS, which had all of the Si's equipment and some of the GLT's, such as ABS) prior to production ceasing in late summer 1996, when the Volvo S40/V40, which shared its platform with the Mitsubishi Carisma, replaced the 440/460 Series.
Mainland Europe
In most European markets, the original trim levels consisted of GL, GLE, GLT, and Turbo. The lower cost DL model, while announced for some markets from the beginning, arrived a little bite later as the carburetted engine was not initially ready for sale.[7] In some markets, such as Sweden, this model only arrived in August 1991 (for the 1992 model year).[8]
