1992 Volvo 850 T5/T5-R

The launch of the 850 marked a turning point for Volvo. Although it kept the family resemblance, it seemed to have been designed using something other than a ruler and was a more gentle, rounded shape. High equipment levels pushed the car upmarket, but it was the 850 T5-R of 1994 that really caused people to sit up and take notice. With a tyre-shredding 250bhp from its turbocharged 2435cc engine, pumped through the front wheels, here was a Volvo that was both safe and practical yet also fast and a little sexy. The company even took estate versions racing!

info from Octane