European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - September 13, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Thursday september 13, 1990 the stars and stripes a a a Page 13 960-940 sedans wagons for 1990svolvo presents new Model series Volvo of Sweden recently introduced its 1991 car lineup to the International press where the emphasis entered on the new luxury up Range 960 Sedan a car that Volvo is counting on to strengthen and Advance its position in the prestige segment of the world Market. The 960, with a completely new aluminium Multi valve 6-Cylinder engine becomes Volvo Stop of the line Model. Its a stablemate a the 4-Cylinder 940, slots in just behind and is intended As Volvo so volume car in the upscale family car  along with Normal 4-Cylinder Power the 940 also gets a 4-Cylinder Turbo engine. Sedan and station Wagon versions will be available in both 960 and 940 lines. Volvo says the 960 will go on Sale in Europe this fall but will not arrive on the . Market until late next year. The 940, meanwhile will go on Sale immediately in the United states and on military markets overseas see Story below. On the German Market the 960 Sedan will Cost 67,500 Marks $43,269 while the Wagon will go for 71,000 Marks $45,512both prices including the 14 percent value added tax. While the big 960 Sedan replaces the Volvo 760, some models in the Volvo 740 Range will remain in the lineup As a Bridge Between the venerable 240-series cars and the new 960-940 series. Where appearance is concerned both 960 and 940 models retain the Volvo 700 series a a look at the front but the roof and the rear have been completely redesigned to provide a higher trunk line. This improves the aerodynamics by some 10 percent Volvo says. The trunk Sill is also lower to make loading and unloading easier. We had the Opportunity to drive both the 960 and 940 cars and the newly developed 3-liter engine powering the 960 was especially impressive. A 3-Hter, in line 6-Cylinder, 24-valve unit the engine is both quiet and powerful putting out 204 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and featuring a High torque curve that is achieved even at Low revs. The engine is coupled to an equally new 4-Speed, electronically controlled automatic Gearbox one that offers the Driver a Choice of three programs at the push of a Button. The three Button layout is located just to the left of the automatic gear shift lever and consists of e a for economic driving s a for sporty driving the Gearbox allowing the engine to Rev higher before changing gear and w a for a Winter driving program that flagship 960 gets new in line 6 engine of 204 he. A Evv i or 4-Cylinder-powered 940 shares 960�?Ts appearance. Ilell Blsir Iii Iii a he a smelt new 9-series station Wagon 940 shown Here. The new 940 Turbo Sedan in action. Minimizes wheel spin on Slippery roads. Its a neat setup and one could feel a big difference when switching from the e to s Mode. The new 960 is a Large luxurious Sedan but the 6-Cylinder engine provided More than adequate Power and it was no problem to run the 960 at steady speeds of nearly 140 Miles per hour. And at those speeds the car was absolutely solid and silent. While on the subject of this engine its interesting to note Volvo a philosophy where a Cylinder numbers Are concerned especially with the continuing movement by other firms to 8 and 12-Cylinder engines. . Persson Volvo a vice president product engineering said at the press presentation that a Volvo has already declared that there is not going to be an 8-or 12-Cylinder engine in our cars. We prefer sensible technical solutions that unite the qualities which Are of advantage for the customers Economy for performance and concern for the environment while also emphasizing Comfort and driving pleasure. A the philosophy behind our engines is based on the idea of using in line engines whenever possible a Persson said. A an in line six offers a High level of Comfort and it is quiet and fully balanced. Its also easier and less expensive to use advanced technology and offers different ways of boosting Power because it has Only one Cylinder  Persson said the new in line 6 Cylinder engine that Powers the 960 has been in development for some six years while the 900 series itself has taken Only two years to come to Market. Discussing the Outlook for the 1990s, Roger Holdback Volvo a president said the new 900 series is the first of three completely different new car a a families that will arrive on the Market within the next five years. New engines and transmissions will also be introduced during this period Holdback added. He said that All three car families a will have a distinct Volvo identity in the sense that they Are Safe Well built and fun to  getting Back to the new Volvo 960, it proved extremely comfortable during our Brief time with it and it comes across As a luxury car with authority and excellent Road manners. Its also quite stable under All driving conditions. The Independent rear a Multi links suspension system introduced on the 1988 Volvo 760 is also employed on the new 960. The steering system is Power assist rack and Pinion while the brakes Are big Power discs All around with anti lock Abs. The 4-Cylinder 940 Model meanwhile has the same steering braking system As Standard and most 940 models will be equipped with Abs As Well. During the presentation we also had the Opportunity to drive the 940, and while its an extremely Good automobile it proved a bit of a disappointment after the 960 Outing where performance was concerned. Perhaps we should have driven the 940 first. Regardless one interesting feature in the elegant Interior of both 900 series cars is the huge armrest in the cent of the rear seat. The armrest not Only opens to the trunk for ski storage but also becomes a child a seat when so desired. The armrest is split and the lower part forms the Cushion while the upper part forms the Back seat. Its an ingenious  Randy Barnett Auto columnist22 Volvo models to appear on military Market in conjunction with Volvo a 1991 car presentation the firms tourist and Diplomat sales division announced its lineup of 22 models now available on the military Market. The major development Here will be the availability of the new 940 sedans and wagons which will be marketed in a versions. Sedans and wagons from the 740 and 240 series will also be in the Kneup but the compact front wheel drive 400 series cars sold in Europe will continue to be missing from both the american and military markets. To a or 70 Sedan has some inner changes with an improvement in headroom Volvo says and the 240 series car8 will now be offered with the the ads anti lock Brake system As optional. Airbags Are Standard on All .-Specifi cation Volvo cars. New 940 Model which Volvo says combines the looks of the 960 with the Best the Volvo 240 Sedan enters its 16th year on world markets. Features of the 740, is offered on the military Market with both normally aspirated and turbocharged 4-Cylinder engines for Sedan and Wagon versions. The 740 Sedan and Wagon meanwhile will also be available with both Normal and Turbo 4-Cylinder Power. The normally aspirated engines Range from 114 to 153 horsepower while the Turbo for both the 940 and 740 models puts out 162 horsepower. The popular 240 series cars now entering their 16th year of production will be offered with the anti lock braking system As optional and Abs will come Standard on the 240 be station Wagon. Volvo says the Abs system is the same As used on the 740 series which gives the 240 series an increase in braking capacity. The 240 series cars on the military Market will include eight different Sedan and Wagon models ranging from the base Sedan at $13,995 to the 240 be Wagon at $20,205. The 740 lineup also consists of eight Sedan and Wagon models prices ranging from $18,325 to $21,885 while the new 940 series cars will be offered in six different Sedan and Wagon versions. The 940 prices Range from $23,525 to $29,545. Volvo says the cars on the military Market Are priced from 18 to 20 percent below those on the . Market and that prices include a Home shipment program plus other benefits.