1990–1994
The Autumn of 1990 marked the launch of the Volvo 960 in time for the 1991 model year. This was the replacement for the 760. The 1991 960 was an evolutionary progression of the 1990 760, but it was also one of the first cars to feature the work of British designer Peter Horbury.
The most significant change was that, in most markets, the 960 was offered with an all-new aluminium 24-valve DOHC inline six-cylinder engine, often referred to as "white block" in the Volvo community due to its bare aluminium block. Maximum power was 204 PS at 6,000 rpm. Some markets, such as Australia and Japan, saw 1991 960s equipped with the same B280E/F V6 engine (145 PS at 5,100 rpm) that had powered the 1990 760.[13] The 1992 model year saw the U.S. introduction of the DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. For the Italian and Portuguese markets, the 960 was available with the 16v 2-litre turbo (190/200 PS, 140/147 kW) from September 1990 until September 1993 along with the inline sixes. Certain markets also received the 2.3-litre turbo 'Redblock' four with 165 PS, and the Volkswagen built D24TIC with 116 or.[14]
The 960 received incremental changes for the 1992, 1993, and 1994 model years. Most visible were the new more shapely seats, and redesigned seat-belts with hydraulic pretensioners for 1992. 1993 saw a new more ergonomic shifter, and in 1994 dual front airbags were introduced in some markets. The opaque sunroof was replaced by a sliding sunshade and glass window. In 1994, the US version of the 3-litre six was tuned for more torque and a less peaky power delivery in favor of U.S. emissions regulations, with 181 PS at 5,200 rpm and 270 Nm at 4,100 rpm (as opposed to 267 Nm at 4,300 rpm for the rest of the world).[15]
Nilsson, a small coachbuilder in Laholm, Sweden, worked under contract with Volvo to supply the stretched 960 Executive (and the later Royal model, with Hermès leather interior). Nilsson offered a number of different lengths and sealed the window in the C-pillar for more privacy in the rear. The Executive had about 15cm longer rear doors, longer versions had inserts behind the B-pillar. When looking underneath the interior panels and body in the backseat area you will find that everything from brakelines, exhaust, doors, floor, roof, doorcards, floormat and electronics has been cut in a straight line and extended.
For North America, the 1992–1994 Volvo 960s were built in Kalmar, Sweden. The very first Volvo 960 for the US-market rolled off the assembly line on August 12, 1991 as a 1992 model. The 1995 to 1998 960s were built in Gothenburg, Sweden. The first 1995 model year (facelift) 960 was built on June 27, 1994.
1994–1998
In 1994 (for the 1995 model year) the 960 received a facelift, including changes to the grille and body-coloured panels.[15] A smaller 2.5 version of the six-cylinder (2,473 cc) was also added to the lineup, with 170 or for the B6244FS version. The new 960 was the first car offered with standard daytime running lights in North America.
Only the modular six-cylinder engines were available from model year 1995 on. The front suspension was redesigned to more closely match that of the 850. The rear suspension received a completely redesigned multi-link independent system with a single fibreglass transverse leaf spring. The 1995 estate received independent rear suspension. Volvo reported that the single composite leaf spring used in the rear suspension of the 960 estate had the same mass as just one of the two springs it replaced.[16] Boge's Nivomat self-leveling rear suspension system became an option rather than standard equipment.
Trim levels were GLT and SE for European markets.
From 1996, Volvo renamed the 960 in select markets as Volvo S90 (saloon) and Volvo V90 (estate) in alignment with the letter-and-number naming scheme used on their other models. This renaming applied to several European countries in late 1996, in North America from late 1996 for the 1997 model year, and in Australia from March 1997.
