Volvo 200 Series 0–60 Times
The Volvo 200 Series 0–60 times and quarter-mile times below are from 3 verified production tests sourced from reputable automotive resources such as Car and Driver and Road & Track and more. A further 2 modified or prototype runs are listed by year but kept out of every record and average, per our methodology.
The fastest tested production Volvo 200 Series is the 1981 Volvo 200 Series 242 GLT Turbo Coupe, which went from 0 to 60 mph in 9.60 seconds, reaching the ¼ mile in 17.20 seconds at 80.0 mph, according to Car and Driver.
The slowest tested production Volvo 200 Series is the 1978 Volvo 200 Series 242 GT Coupe, which took 11.30 seconds to reach 60 mph, running the ¼ mile in 18.50 seconds at 75.0 mph, according to Road & Track.
Across the 3 verified production tests of the Volvo 200 Series, the average 0–60 mph time is 10.37 seconds. The average quarter-mile time is 17.70 seconds at 77.83 mph.
Separately, 2 modified or prototype runs are on record for the Volvo 200 Series, led by the 1977 Volvo 200 Series 265 GT Boss Wagon III at 7.60 seconds. These are not stock configurations and are excluded from the figures above.
Fastest 0–60 9.60sec 1981 242 GLT Turbo Coupe · stock
Average 0–60 10.37sec Across 3 production runs
Fastest Modified 7.60sec 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III · modified
Avg ¼ Mile 17.70sec @ 77.8 mph trap
Slowest 0–60 11.30sec 1978 242 GT
Across 3 verified production runs, the Volvo 200 Series ranges from 9.60 to 11.30 seconds 0–60, with a 10.37-second average. 2 modified or prototype runs are recorded separately and excluded from this range.
The Volvo 200 Series is ranked in these lists
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Volvo 200 Series Performance Overview
Across 5 verified tests spanning 1977 to 1983, Volvo’s 200 Series shows a compact performance record built around durable rear-drive gasoline models rather than a broad trim spread. Output in the available tests runs from 123 to 162 hp, covering naturally aspirated B21E and PRV V6 applications as well as turbocharged B21FT variants. The quickest result came immediately with the 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III at 7.6 seconds to 60 mph and a 16.4-second quarter-mile at 91 mph, establishing the high point of the dataset from the start.
Later tests show the range of the lineup rather than a steady upward curve. The 1978 242 GT Coupe recorded 11.3 seconds to 60 mph, the slowest figure here, while other period results clustered closer to the series average of 9.5 seconds and a 17.3-second quarter-mile at 81.7 mph. With just one production era represented in the data, the 200 Series’ performance story is defined by modest variation within a single 1977-1983 run: gasoline only, naturally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinders plus the PRV V6, and a best result that remained unmatched through the end of the covered years.
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Volvo 200 Series 0–60 Times by Year and Trim
3 production tests + 2 modified · 5 years ▾
1983 Volvo 200 Series
0 production runs + 1 modified Avg 0–60 —
Avg ¼ Mile —
Production Tests 0+1 mod
MOD
1983 Volvo 200 Series IPD 242 Turbo Coupe
8.80sec 0–60
17.00s ¼ mi @ 84.0 mph
▾
- 0–60 mph
- 8.80 sec
- ¼ Mile ET
- 17.00 sec
- Trap Speed
- 84.0 mph
- Engine
- 2.1L Turbo I-4
- Drivetrain
- RWD
- Transmission
- 4M
- Horsepower
- 162 hp
- Torque
- 181 lb-ft
- Curb Weight
- 3,000 lbs
- Power-to-Weight
- 18.5 lbs/hp
- MPG EPA
- 20 Obs
- Production Vehicle
- Body Type
- Coupe
- Powertrain
- Gasoline
- Test Source
- Road & Track
- Tuner
- IPD
- Overall Rank
- Unranked — modified or prototype
How we verify Volvo 200 Series performance data
Records and averages on this page cover verified production runs only; modified and prototype results are listed by year but never folded into them. We include only independently published road-test results from automotive publications. Manufacturer-claimed 0–60 times are excluded unless clearly labeled. When multiple publications test the same Volvo 200 Series trim, each run is listed separately — weather, tires, surface, rollout, and instrumentation all affect results.
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Volvo 200 Series 0–60 and quarter-mile distribution
0–60 vs ¼ mile · lower-left is fasterEach dot is a verified production test run
0–60 → ¼ mile →
Fastest Recorded run Slowest
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Volvo 200 Series performance FAQs
10 questions For 1983, the recorded Volvo 200 Series test is the IPD 242 Turbo Coupe at 8.8 seconds from 0-60 mph. That car also ran the quarter-mile in 17.0 seconds at 84 mph. It used a turbocharged B21FT engine rated at 162 hp and 181 lb-ft, with rear-wheel drive.
The quickest Volvo 200 Series on record is the 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III, which reached 60 mph in 7.6 seconds. It is also the fastest quarter-mile car in the lineup, posting 16.4 seconds at 91 mph. Across all five recorded tests, the model averages 9.5 seconds to 60 mph.
The fastest stock Volvo 200 Series on record is also the 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III at 7.6 seconds from 0-60 mph. That same car holds the quickest quarter-mile pass at 16.4 seconds with a 91 mph trap speed, making it the benchmark production example among the recorded runs.
The slowest Volvo 200 Series test on record is the 1978 242 GT Coupe, which reached 60 mph in 11.3 seconds. That puts it well behind the model’s overall 9.5-second average. Within the recorded range, Volvo 200 Series 0-60 times span from 7.6 seconds to 11.3 seconds.
Across the 1977-1983 Volvo 200 Series runs on record, the average 0-60 time is 9.5 seconds. The fastest example is the 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III at 7.6 seconds. Engines in these tests range from 123 to 162 hp, with both naturally aspirated and turbocharged gasoline setups represented.
The Volvo 242 GLT Turbo Coupe averages 9.9 seconds from 0-60 mph across two recorded tests, with a best run of 9.6 seconds. That makes it quicker than the 242 GT Coupe at 11.3 seconds, but slower than the IPD 242 Turbo Coupe, which posted an 8.8-second 0-60 run.
The 242 GLT Turbo Coupe is quicker. Its best recorded 0-60 time is 9.6 seconds, while the 242 GT Coupe recorded 11.3 seconds. Using average times where available, the GLT Turbo averages 9.9 seconds across two tests, giving it a clear straight-line advantage over the naturally aspirated GT Coupe.
Yes. The 1983 IPD 242 Turbo Coupe recorded 0-60 mph in 8.8 seconds, while the 242 GLT Turbo Coupe’s best recorded run is 9.6 seconds and its average is 9.9 seconds. That gives the IPD car the quicker acceleration result among the recorded Volvo 200 Series turbo coupe tests.
The best quarter-mile time belongs to the 1977 265 GT Boss Wagon III, which ran 16.4 seconds at 91 mph. That is the quickest quarter-mile result of any Volvo 200 Series on record. Across all five tests, the model averages 17.3 seconds in the quarter-mile at 81.7 mph.
There are five Volvo 200 Series performance tests on record, and all five are production-vehicle entries in the current listings. Across those runs, the average 0-60 time is 9.5 seconds. The spread runs from a quickest 7.6-second pass to a slowest 11.3-second result.
Sources
Car and Driver
Road & Track
0–60 and quarter-mile times vary with driver, weather, tire temperature, and wear. We collect every verified run we can find — so you see the range of what a Volvo 200 Series can do, not a single marketing claim.
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Other Volvo 0–60 times
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