Old Top Gear 1997 - Sporty Saloons

Jeremy Clarkson takes a look at the Volvo S40 T4, Ford Mondeo ST200 & Honda Accord VTEC.

Taken from a mid 1997 episode of the old format Top Gear.

[rcrestoworkshop]

Legend has it that Volvo downplayed the power outputs of the T4 units so as not to tread on the toes of the larger 850/v70 t5 which it essentially was minus a cylinder - I’ve been told by several sources that the factory power output on the early 1.9 t4 engines was more like 215-220bhp - having driven a few over the years - I can believe this - they feel far more lively than the T5s I’ve owned.

[kylewhite]

That is the most middle class coat I've ever seen.

[wraithcall]

I've got a 98 S40 T4 in the exact same color. Love it

[kieranwhite]

The Mondeo and Volvo are on SORN and the Honda was scrapped in 2010

[Viscosity-cbxl]

A sports Volvo, fun, classy, rare and very reliable

[jonny]

The mondeo is the normal V6 with 170 hp not the ST200 with 205 hp.

[hubblesphere]

Do you have the old top gear episode where Clarkson is trying to find the best handling car and has some pros driving different cars? Ferrari 550, NSX, GTR, etc and all of them like the 106 GTI the most. I've been looking for that one!

[bghoody]

I'd take the Honda. VTEC, baby!

[Viscosity-cbxl]

Great cars the volvo s40. More powerful then BMW and Honda and better to drive