Volvo : 480

Model Introduction

The Volvo 480, launched in 1986, was a strikingly unconventional coupé that broke with the company’s boxy image, becoming Volvo’s first front-wheel-drive model. Styled at Volvo’s Dutch design centre under John De Vries, it featured a distinctive wedge profile, pop-up headlights, and a unique glass hatchback. Powered by Renault-sourced four-cylinder engines, including a lively turbocharged version, it combined sharp handling with respectable performance. The 480 was also notable for its advanced electronics, such as an onboard trip computer, and it paved the way for later models like the 440 and 460. Built until 1995, it remains one of Volvo’s most distinctive and characterful cars.