This $850 Volvo 850R Is A BTCC-Inspired Hero

It’s safety first as Rob Dahm explores the weird world of Volvo tuning, with an $850 Volvo 850R estate that’s been transformed into a touring-car tribute – 1990s livery and all. Surely you’ve seen that iconic photo of Dutch racing driver Jan Lammers? It’s an action shot capturing an incongruous Volvo 850 Estate in British Touring Car Championship trim, two wheels suspended above a bit of curbing, with Lammers at the wheel coaxing it in for a landing. A flying brick, to be sure. Rob heads to the Lime Rock Park proving grounds to compare a bone-stock 850 with one that’s been modified by the guys at FCP Euro. This Volvo 850R may be a bit of a Volvo nerd’s breakfast, but it demonstrates how an ordinary family car can, in the right hands, be transformed into something quite extraordinary, embodying the passion and creativity at the heart of car tuning. Subscribe to Top Gear for more videos: WATCH MORE TOP GEAR: First Looks:   First Drives: American Tuned ft. Rob Dahm: LISTEN to the Top Gear Magazine Podcast: Sign up for our newsletter: #AmericanTuned Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:45 Volvo 850 Estate 03:29 Stock 850 Drive 05:33 Tuned 850R Drive 07:03 The Engine & Specs 08:26 Conclusion MORE ABOUT TOP GEAR: Welcome to the official home of Top Gear on YouTube. Here you’ll find all the best clips from your favourite episodes, whether that’s Ken Block drifting London in the Hoonicorn, Chris Harris in the latest Porsche 911 GT3 or classic Top Gear clips from Clarkson, Hammond and May. You’ll also find the latest performance car reviews from the crew, our brand new series American Tuned with Rob Dahm and the fastest power laps from our in house performance benchmark: The Stig. This is a commercial channel from BBC Studios. Service & Feedback