Volvo 240 Series History
Catalog record
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History
The 240 Series replaced the 140 in 1974 and quickly became one of the most recognizable cars in the world, defined by its upright, boxy shape and its reputation for longevity. Available as a two-door coupe/sedan (242), a four-door sedan (244), and a five-door wagon (245), the 240 was frequently rated among the safest production cars of its era by independent testing bodies.
The turbocharged 240 Turbo arrived in 1981, offering a surprising performance dimension from the staid silhouette. The 242 two-door was discontinued in 1984 as demand shifted to four-door formats. The 244 and 245 soldiered on through 1993 — a 19-year run — when the 850 replaced them. Total production exceeded 2.8 million units across all body styles.
Generations
200 Series (original) · P-body / 240/260
The original 240/260 era, including the three-body lineup and the turbocharged 240 Turbo (from 1981); the 242 two-door phased out in 1984.
Late 240 (facelifted) · 240 (final)
The simplified, four-cylinder-only 244/245 production era through the final 1993 model year.
Body styles
- 2-door sedan (242)
- 4-door sedan (244)
- 5-door wagon (245)
Notable special editions & performance variants
240 Turbo
Turbocharged version of the 240 — an early forced-induction family car that became a cult favorite.
Related models
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