2003 Volvo V70R

Guide price: £6,000 - £10,000

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀

● Last of the ‘real’ R Volvos

● Big performance from 300PS turbo five-cylinder engine

● Desirable manual gearbox with all-wheel drive

● Single ownership for last 20 years

● Extensive service history and documentation

𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄

Volvo was the originator of the fast estate. When they launched the 240hp 850 T-5R wagon in the early 1990s, the hitherto unexplored concept of transporting wardrobes around the countryside at high speed really took off. The T5-R was the first Volvo of any kind to top 250km/h, or 155mph in British money. The fact that it was not a sleek coupe or sports car, but a determinedly boxy estate perched on low-profile tyres and five-spoke alloy wheels only added hilarity to the proposition, as did the exploits of Rickard Rydell and Jan Lammers in the remarkably quick TWR British Touring Car Championship versions.

In 1997 Volvo revealed the successor to the T-5R. The V70 R came with the option of all-wheel as well as rear-wheel drive to cope with its new power ratings of up to 261hp.

Three years later the gen-two V70 R AWD that you’re looking at here was launched. Its styling was described as ‘the front end of a Jaguar E-Type married to the back end of a Ford Transit van’. If you think that’s a bit rude, don’t worry: the description came from the V70 creator himself, Peter Horbury, the multi-award winning auto designer who sadly died this summer at the age of 73.

The 296hp and 295lb ft of torque from 1,950rpm that was now coming from the V70 R’s straight-five 2.5-litre turbo made all-wheel drive essential rather than an option. With everything hooked up the 0-60mph time was a trouser-rustling 5.6 seconds. The top speed was electronically limited to 155mph.

Volvo aficionados will be pleased to see than this particular V70 R has the 6-speed manual gearbox rather than the sometimes troublesome 5-speed Geartonic auto.

𝗛𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

This Volvo was first registered by the dealer at the end of December 2003 before being bought by the current owner with the car having covered only 102 miles. Effectively it’s a one-owner car.

As we speak the mileage is at 142,000, which is equivalent to just 7,000 a year and very much not a big number for one of these B5254T4 engines. There’s a comprehensive document file containing all invoices relating to the car’s history plus the original sales brochure and the service book. Two keys will be supplied. Please note the private plate B17 FAR is not included in the sale, and the car is being transferred back to an age appropriate plate.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

Volvo cabins have always combined fine build quality with sumptuous comfort and strong safety and the range-topping V70 R’s cabin was a great example of that philosophy. The spec of this one is rich, with full leather, premium subwoofer audio, heated front seats, and integrated child seats which the kids can heat themselves in the usual biological manner. You can try to distract them with the Volvo’s built-in business telephone, a guaranteed talking point for anyone below working age. ‘Ooh, does it do games?’

The condition of the interior is described by the owner as excellent, with only slight wear in the usual place on the driver’s seat bolster.

𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿

There is a slight scuff and a couple of small car park dents on the passenger door but the vendor states that there is no rust on the bodywork. Last December the MOT tester did note some corrosion to the rear suspension and exhaust, as can be seen in the photographs.

𝗠𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹

The V70 R’s 2.5-litre high-pressure turbo engine is described as being in excellent fettle as you’d expect from the full service history which reads as follows:

12/2022 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2021 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2020 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & New Brake Fluids, Discs & Pads

12/2019 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2018 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & New Spark Plugs

12/2017 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & Cambelt Check OK

12/2016 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & New Brake Fluids & Pads

12/2015 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & New Spark Plugs

12/2014 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2013 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & New Brake Fluids & Pads

12/2012 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist & Cambelt Change

12/2011 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2010 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2009 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2008 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2007 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2006 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2005 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

12/2004 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

03/2004 - Full Service to Manufacturer Checklist

We are told that the electronically adjustable suspension and Haldex all-wheel drive are working as they should. The MOT test did suggest that the front suspension bushes might be past the first flush of youth. High-performance Volvos do test their suspensions right enough, but the good news is that new bushes can transform them for not that great an outlay.

There’s some minor kerb damage to the alloys that a quick refurb should put right. The tyres are Bridgestone Premium Contact 6 tyres with 5-6mm of tread all round and none of the uneven wear patterns that can sometimes afflict poorly-maintained AWD cars.

The battery has always been kept on a trickle charger and is sound.

𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘆

There’s something magical about a real Volvo R estate, by which we mean a proper five-cylinder one with a big turbo on it and equally large 300hp performance. Buyers of last-series V70 Rs seem to agree with that sentiment too, paying well into five figures for examples that look no better than the one listed here. The low reserve means that you could very easily find yourself in the rapid wardrobe transit business dreaming of Rydell as you whistle along the autobahn in supreme comfort. Skol!

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Camberley, Surrey.