Polestar Remembers Its First Supersonic Brick

20 years ago today, Volvo's performance division released its latest weapon onto the unsuspecting world: the fastest production station wagon, the 850 T-5R.

Recognized as the ultimate sleeper (a very fast car with an unassuming look) in its day, this brick on wheels was able to hold its own against some supercars of the era. Equipped with a turbocharged inline-five engine that had been tuned in partnership with Porsche, the 850 T-5R had 240 horsepower, would get from 0 to 100 km/h in 7 seconds flat and could go on to hit 245 km/h. This power was channelled via a four-speed automatic gearbox before eventually being sent to the front wheels. These cars even found some glory on the racetrack; during the BTCC Championship, they were used as Volvo's official cars against the competition's sleek coupes and sedans. In typical Swedish humour, the factory drivers used to carry a giant stuffed dog in the back of the car during qualifying!

• Also: The Volvo 240 Versus V60: Two Decades of Evolution Later
• Also: Volvo V60 Cross Country: The Rugged Wagon

The direct descendant of the 850 T-5R is the V60 Polestar. It might not have the same pedigree and it may have lost some of its sleeper status (since it can only be ordered in a rather striking shade of Baby Blue), but with its 350 horsepower and AWD system, it can still give a few surprises to the young guy in a tuned car that lines up next to it at the stoplight...