Description
Rare Ex Police
1998 Volvo S70 T5
2. 3 20 Valve Turbo
Manual 5 speed
MOT 24 Nov 2025
White
service History
206000 miles
・Modern classic Volvo turbo 237 bhp
・Amazing five-pot soundtrack
・Clean, smart and well-maintained using original Volvo parts
Up until the 850 T5 appeared in 1993, the idea of a performance Volvo was considered nonsensical.
The company had a reputation for building boxy but good saloon and estate cars that were wonderfully over-engineered and strong, but hardly a paragon in dynamics or performance, even if some of the turbocharged examples were rapid in a straight line.
The 850 followed by the 70 T5 would change all that. It was developed in tandem with British racing car engineering form Tom Walkinshaw Racing (TWR), which had enjoyed both endurance car and touring car track success with Jaguar and had been chosen by the Swedish firm to spearhead its new British Touring Car Championship campaign. This would also be used as a significant marketing exercise for the new Volvos as the company tried its best to shake off its staid and boring image by blowing Audi A4s and BMW E36s into the weeds on race weekends, a strategy that worked wonderfully well. THE HISTORY
After all, the S70 T5 was a revelation. With 237bhp (maybe more as its Police tweaked) available from its five-pot turbo engine, the voluptuous Volvo could crack 0-60mph in just seven seconds, while the BTCC campaign (led by estate models, of course) would drive home the message that this was no antique dealer’s special, but a properly honed sports saloon (or wagon).
Performance car enthusiasts quickly caught on, including most British police forces who realised that the T5 was both a weapon, and also a practical car with real go, both on the straights and through the bends (thanks, TWR…), making it one of the performance legends of the 1990s.
Previously, the Volvo has had 4x owners who have looked after and maintained it through all of its 207, 000 miles using only genuine Volvo parts.
THE PAPERWORK
Included with the Volvo are a full UK V5C and an MOT valid until Nov 2024. It also has its original service book, handbook, South Yorkshire service print out and a selection of more recent service receipts. A service has just been carried out in the last 300 miles. The car has had a service every 6000 miles throughout its working life and as so runs perfectly.
THE EXTERIOR
The Volvo is finished in its original Crystal White paint and presents very smartly indeed, though it is not without its minor imperfections. There are a few scuffs and scrapes to the bodywork on its extremities. For a 26-year old car that looks to have original paint, it's in remarkable condition overall and has never had any MOT advisories for rust or corrosion.
All of the trim is present and correct and is largely undamaged, whilst the alloy wheels are in good condition and are equipped with decent tyres.
THE INTERIOR
The grey-coloured velour goes really nicely with the white exterior and wears its miles well, although there is some wear to the driver side seat bolster as can be expected of the mileage.
The front and rear of the cabin are in smart and presentable order, but there are a few signs of wear on the driver’s door card, steering wheel, pedal rubbers and areas of the centre console that are commensurate with the age and mileage of the Volvo and certainly don't detract from it in any major way. It's smart and well presented, and would respond brilliantly to a full valet and detailing session.
THE MECHANICS
It’s the 2. 3 litre five-cylinder turbocharged T5 engine that really sets this car apart and it both runs well and sounds terrific, with a distinctive five-cylinder burbling idle and breath-taking performance.
With the rare manual transmission fitted to this one and the possibility it has been tuned, it delivers a notable shove in the back when you plant the throttle, while the induction noise from the turbo itself is addictive.
I have driven the Volvo over a 200 mile distance in one go and can confirm that it runs really well, with no clicks or rattles from the suspension, strong brakes and a fully operational manual 5 speed box. It holds a steady temperature and doesn’t smoke, while all of the controls seem to work as they should.
A Rare collectable modern classic.
