Facts about the Volvo 480

Introduction

There are many remarkable things to mention about the Volvo 480. On this page many nice-to-know items will be covered. You may expect updates on a (ir)regular basis.

March 2004:
Manually controlled mirrors?
The Volvo 480 has an extensive list of options and accessories fitted as standard. In the first press releases, we noted something remarkable. It was said that manually controlled mirrors would be fitted, and electrically controlled mirrors would be optional. Fortunately, things worked out differently.
February 2004:
Everything counts
Earlier, we reported that the airconditioning (factory fitted) is switched off automatically upon full throttle. This releases all the horsepower when it is needed. In addition, we can also let you know the same applies for the electric heating of mirrors and rear window. Perhaps everything counts when you want quick overtaking?
January 2004:
Interior lighting
And also something like the interior lighting was well considered. The interior lighting remains on for 15 seconds after a door was closed. Unless the car drives away, then it turns off immediately. When a door remains open, it will burn continuously, with a maximum of 20 minutes to prevent lack of power.
December 2003:
Fuel tank capacity
Have you ever wondered how it can be that your Volvo 480 knows exactly how many petrol is in the tank? We have the answer. That has been calibrated at the factory. You can also do it yourself. Fill the tank. Remove the switch of the Info-center. Turn on the ignition key, keeping the reset-button pressed. Then turn with a screwdriver the screwhead to display the fuel tank capacity. This depends, as you know, on the model you drive, but the method described is for all models the same.
November 2003:
Seat heating
Better you know the following, else you might think the seat heating is out of order. Even if switched on, it sometimes may seem to be not working. That may be right. When the outside temperature is 14 oC or higher, it is switched off automatically. Only in cold weather, you experience the comfortable Volvo 480 seat heating. The seat heating also has a thermostat, so that you will not be fried. It is set at 25 oC, the normal skintemperature.
October 2003:
Patents and the 480
Your Volvo 480 looks the world, of course. But did you know you actually drive in a patented car? The design of the Volvo 480 was patented in the United States. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office filed the design of the car, by inventor Mr Robert A.M. Koch (no further introduction necessary) of Volvo, under number D0296427. See www.uspto.gov.
September 2003:
Seating and its integration
The Volvo 480 has those excellent Volvo seats, too. Also on this item, Volvo did not want to make concessions to the well-reputed Volvo quality. The seating is unmatched. It also enhances safety. All this you already knew or expected. But did you know that those seats are an integral part of the total car suspension?
August 2003:
Volvo 480 drivers profile
You read sportsmagazines? You read golfmagazines, tennis or horseriding specials? Magazines relating to design and styling, the arts, interior design or fashion? Maybe interested in electronics? Good chance you noticed articles about the Volvo 480, because those magazines, apart from the car magazines, would attract potential buyers. This was part of Volvo's strategy. Pity, we miss the internet, but then again, this was 1986.
July 2003:
Volvo 480 character
You like to drive at higher speeds but in comfort, and do you appreciate dynamic driving qualities? Do you have a higher than average income, no children or perhaps one, a broad general interest in theater, concerts, restaurants and the good life, fashion, art, and you are 25 to 40 years old or a bit older? Do you have an individualistic lifestyle and do you appreciate exclusivity? If you also have a higher than average social status and are sports-minded, then you are the ideal Volvo 480 driver. Exactly those characteristics Volvo had in mind for the first group of buyers. But if you do not fit this profile exactly, no worry, you may still just enjoy your Volvo 480.
June 2003:
Volvo 480 strategy
A new, sporty model was to be the forerunner for a completely new series. The new model was to explore new frontiers and would depart from existing car concepts. Up-to-date styling, dynamic appeal, exceptional driving pleasure combined with sportiness, without concessions to comfort, luxury, quality or safety. That was the Volvo strategy. As driver of the Volvo 480 you recognize this immediately, of course.
May 2003:
Rear window heating
After 12 minutes, the rear window heating is switched off automatically, to save electricity and fuel. Handy, but not when that's not enough. Without driver's manual you probably don't know the solution. If you press and hold the switch a few seconds, the rear window heating remains on. Till pressed again, then it's off again. They thought about everything at Volvo.
April 2003:
Safety
The safety features of the Volvo 480 are true Volvo features. This applies to the passive safety features such as the roll cage, but also active measures. The airconditioning for example, is automatically switched off temporarily at full throttle. The potential of horsepowers is then available in full, just when you need it.
March 2003:
Heating
Really, there's nothing wrong with the heating of your Volvo 480. The first few kilometres, the heating doesn't work. This was programmed to bring the engine at proper temperature as quickly as possible. The longevity of the engine is greatly improved by this. Now that you know this, you will probably spend an extra minute or so in the cold.
February 2003:
Heated mirrors
Your Volvo 480 has electrically heated mirrors. No, it is not to warm your hands. No this is a typical Volvo feature making you feel home in polar areas. But where is the switch, you may wonder? There is none. The mirrors are heated, parallel with the rear window heating. If your rear window is defrosted, but are the mirrors still frozen, then you may want to put it back on again.
January 2003:
Rear lights
That the design of the Volvo 480 was well thought over is illustrated by the following. Volvo's always have double rearlights. If the one ends, the second keeps burning, very safe. But for the Volvo 480, they even thought about being recognizable as a Volvo 480 in the dark. The rearlights are large rectangles with a reflector in the middle. Volvo 480 drivers can recognize each other from far, even in the dark. Nice, isn' t it?
December 2002:
Follow me home
It is easy to write complete books about the Volvo 480. But isn't it nice to know that what Volvo now promotes as a unique feature of the S80, the new topmodel, was already used on the Volvo 480 as early as 14 years ago. We mean the headlights which will stay on automatically for an extra 30 seconds if you signal just before turning off the engine. Will enable you to find your driveway and keyhole in the dark.
November 2002:
Grip
The Volvo 480 has such good grip and roadholding that side forces up to 0.95 g are possible. This is unique for a regular production car, and far more than sporty competitors. Thanks to Lotus, who developed this for the Volvo 480.
October 2002:
Top speed
The extra air friction with headlights up should reduce top speed by 5 km/hr. We have no real life road test information to confirm this.
September 2002:
Styling
Here are some names of the most important people behind the Volvo 480. Rob Koch, chief styling of Volvo Helmond, The Netherlands and honourable member of the Volvo 480-Register, is the best known. He successfully presented the Dutch design in Sweden. The design is, however, a team effort. John de Vries had an important role. He sketched the first renderings. Other illustre names are Cor Steenstra and Harm Lagaay. Steenstra is still active in the automobile industry, now in the U.S.A. Lagaay is known to Porsche drivers as later chief styling of Porsche, including the present 911. For the evenly unique interior, Corien Pompe was responsible. The dashboard and its layout were the work of Peter Horbury. Steenstra and Steve Harper designed the master piece: the cabriolet
August 2002:
Compounds
The hood of the Volvo 480 is made of compound: sheet moulded composite. Of total body weight, 10% is compound material. This is less well known, also because the purpose was to resemble metal as much as possible. Or, as Rob Koch, chief styling, put it: we strived for a solution with all the advantages of modern materials, but does not take such step in emotional acceptance.
July 2002:
Triangle
Many know this story: the history of the triangle at the doors. The Volvo 480 has such wide doors that an extra window slide was needed at high speeds. This technical problem was solved by a master design trick. This is one of the many patents on the Volvo 480.
June 2002:
The sign
Although everyone at Volvo was convinced about the Volvo 480, there was a minor problem. Where should the Volvo sign be placed. At first, Volvo Sweden demanded that the grille was to be placed above the bumper. The design team successfully argued that a sporty car needs a low nose. The air intake was placed below the bumper, where the Volvo sign was placed. In order not to make the nose too bold, and as a compromise, the Volvo badge was placed on the left front too.
May 2002:
Steering in a 480
You want to know why the Volvo 480 steers so well? This is also due to the power steering, but now we want to mention something different. The big secret is the engine suspension. The rubbers of the engine suspension have such compound and shape (kidney-shaped) that body movements are automatically corrected. Even more, the stability straight-on with sidewinds is improved.
April 2002:
Honda Aerodeck
On first sight, some may compare the Volvo 480 with the Honda Aerodeck. We just stick to the opinion of the renown English car magazine What Car (January 1987) in a direct comparison between these cars: it is the Volvo that just wins. See also Motor, in its yearly Road Tests edition: the car that just beats the Honda Aerodeck is the Volvo 480.
March 2002:
Rain gutter
The Volvo 480 is the first car with a minor, but very clever design detail. The doorrubbers are also rain gutter. Rain water does not drip into the car or onto the persons going in or out. Like so many details, this invention was later copied in other Volvo's and other brands.
February 2002:
Honda?
Some of you may have experienced it: jokes on your 'Honda 480'. Your response may be divers. From public sources it is evident that the Volvo 480 was designed and developped before the Honda Accord Aerodeck. So, it's not that the Volvo 480 resembles the Honda, but the Honda was copied from the Volvo 480. Apart from that, just have a drive in both cars. The longer time and effort spent by Volvo in the development phase has clearly resulted in a well refined, better balanced car of higher quality with higher standards of road manners, safety and luxury. Just close the doors of both cars and notice the difference. In comparison with the Honda, the Volvo 480 clearly wins.
January 2002:
Rust
One can easily write a book on the rust prevention of the Volvo 480 alone. Did you know that the whole side section of the Volvo 480 was pressed out of one sheet of metal? This not only favourably effects rust prevention (less welding spots), but also improves rigidity and safety.
December 2001:
Synchronisation
Everyone knows the Volvo 480 is loaded with electronics. That this was used to synchronize the rear window wipers with the front ones is less well known. Pretty, isn’t it.
November 2001:
Smile
The back of the Volvo 480 is, just like the rest by the way, uniquely styled. Why this design was chosen? In the design phase, several options were sketched. The ultimate result was also chosen because of the association with a smiling face. Considering the many smiling drivers, the back is not only beautifully, but also appropriately designed.
Oktober 2001:
Sparewheel
Why is the sparewheel so awkwardly placed, diagonally, you may wonder. Of course there a logical explanation. If it was placed level, the risk that it would slide into the passenger compartment in case of a collision would be too high according to Volvo standards. The diagonal placing also contributes to the overall rigidity of the cage, having also a positive effect on road manners.
September 2001:
Polar wipers
Perhaps you have wondered why the Volvo 480’s front wipers are not fully recessed. It logical if you know the answer. All Volvo’s are developed to operate in extreme wheather conditions, including polar circles. If the wipers were fully recessed, snow might hinder proper wiping.
August 2001:
Driving characteristics
The drive shafts of the Volvo 480 are of equal length. This is remarkable for a transverse engine/front wheel driven car, and no coincidence. The powers on the front wheels are better balanced. This prevents unwanted reactions on acceleration or braking. This is just one feature why the Volvo 480 has such wonderful driving characteristics.
July 2001:
Design
The Volvo 480 was designed and styled by Volvo The Netherlands. Volvo Sweden set out general demands in a red book, after which four design studios competed and made renderings. Volvo The Netherlands won the contest, over Volvo Sweden itself and the famous Italian design studios Bertone and Coggiola. If someone compliments you on the beautiful, sleek, Italian-style design, you can rightfully answer it’s even better than that.
June 2001:
Lights
Why the Volvo 480 has pop-up lamps till the end of production? Sometime during its production life span, it was rumoured that the Volvo 480 would get head lamps like the Opel Calibra. The pop-up mechanism is expensive and more vulnerable for malfunctioning. Luckily, this devilish plan was abandoned.
May 2001:
Front wheel drive
The press found out quickly, but by coincidence that the new Volvo 480 would be front wheel driven. This was remarkable because Volvo had never offered a front wheel driven car before. In the Gotenburg suburbs, a testversion ended on its roof. Someone sharp noticed that it was a front wheel drive.
April 2001:
Window wipers
Everyone knows the Volvo 480 is loaded with electronics. That this was used to synchronize the rear window wipers with the front ones is less well known. Pretty, isn't it.
Maart 2001:
Head lights
Why the Volvo 480 has high beam lights as a standard feature?
Regulations require that signals can be given immediately in emergency situations. As the pop-up lamps need some time to raise, that would not suffice.
February 2001:
Spotted

The first articles on the Volvo 480 appeared as early as in 1985. Some mentioned the 400-series as the new 580 and 540. Why Volvo eventually opted for 400-series is not known. Probably to leave some room for a model between the 400 and 700 series.

January 2001:
Motor
It is well known Renault supplied the engines for the Volvo 480. But the standard Renault engines were not good enough for Volvo. Porsche was hired to further develop the engine. Because of the changes by Porsche on the Heron-cylinders, cylinderhead, manifold, (later models) Bosch injection and turbo, one could justifiably argue that it is Porsche powered.
December 2000:
Rear window wiper
The rear window wiper sometimes seems to have a will of its own. They seem to start spontaneously. If the front wipers are on, and reverse is engaged, then the rear window wiper starts wiping. Handy feature, isn't it.
November 2000:
POP-UP lamps
Why the Volvo 480 has pop-up lamps? It is not just for looks or aerodynamics. The Volvo 480 was also to be sold in the U.S.A. There, regulations state that the head lamps should be positioned at a minimum height. Proper styling would then not have been possible without the pop-ups.