Orlando Sentinel's view

Some things never change, it seems.

The sun comes up; the sun goes down. The tide rolls in; the tide rolls out. And year after year, Volvo builds safe, conservative and boring cars.

However, 1993 is a little different. As far as we can tell, the sun and the tide are still operating in a predictable manner. But Volvo isn’t. This year, there’s a bonafide sports sedan in the Swedish automaker’s lineup.

And a darned good one at that.

It’s the five-cylinder Volvo 850 GLT, a roomy, well-equipped and competitively priced car that marks a significant – and some might say welcome – change of pace for Volvo.

PERFORMANCE

The 850 GLT has many firsts for Volvo, including its engine. For one thing, it’s Volvo’s first five-cylinder. For another, the engine sits sideways and drives the front wheels. And power is transmitted to the wheels so well that you really can’t tell you’re in a front-wheel-drive car.

The 2.4-liter engine is rated at a robust168 horsepower. It has 20 valves, which help the engine to run very smoothly all the way up to its 6,200 rpm red line.

Our test car sported a smooth-shifting, five-speed transmission. After a trip back to the dealer for a minor clutch adjustment, the car was a pleasure to drive.

I have had the opportunity to drive a 850 GLT with an automatic and can say that buyers will be in for a tough choice. The car doesn’t lose much in the way of performance or economy with the four-speed automatic. If you like to shift and want to save a few bucks – specifically $900 – stick with the stick. Otherwise, the automatic is just as good.

The 850’s fuel economy was about the same as other imported midsize cars in its class. In city driving using the air conditioner, the test car returned 22.5 miles per gallon and nearly 30 mpg on the highway.

HANDLING

When was the last time a Volvo turned your head?

If you have a long memory, maybe the last Volvo that aroused your interest was the snazzy white P1800 coupe that Roger Moore drove in the late ’60s when he starred as Simon Templar in the TV series The Saint.

Yeah, it’s been that long. All these years of dowdy 240s and other frumpy, dumpy Volvos have sent sports-sedan buyers to Acura and BMW dealerships.

Now they have a reason to come back.

The 850 GLT can cut corners with the best mid-priced sports sedans from Japan or Europe.

Underneath, the 850 GLT is equipped with all the requisite sports-sedan hardware found in similar cars. There’s four-wheel anti-lock brakes, power-assisted rack and pinion steering, independent suspension, sway bars front and rear, and fat alloy wheels and tires.

If you’ve driven a BMW 5 Series, an Acura Legend or a Chrysler Concorde, then you’ll have a pretty good feel for how the 850 GLT handles.

You can expect the 850 GLT to deliver an agile, athletic ride. It has a moderately firm suspension system that keeps the body straight and true, e ven in the tightest of curves.

FIT AND FINISH

Volvo’s stylists did a nice job with the 850 GLT. They came up with a shape that retains the company’s fervent dedication to conservatism, yet they managed to avoid making the car boring.

In keeping with other Volvos, the 850 GLT is still rather square, but its edges are nicely rounded.

Flush-mounted headlights and a smaller version of Volvo’s traditional chrome grille punctuate an uncluttered front end.

Inside, the 850 GLT is pure simplicity and function.

Most of the pertinent switches are placed in the center of the dash, which is angled slightly toward the driver.

Three knobs operate the air conditioner/heater; power-window switches are located on the console.

The 850 GLT is equipped with dual air bags and a built-in child safety seat, which is contained in the rear seat’s fold-away center armrest.

That seat, however, looks mighty uncomfortable. There is not much padding. It’s har to imagine how a child could be comfortable for more than a short trip.

The other leather-covered seats in the test car were excellent – firm and comfortable.

The 850 GLT’s interior room may be among the best in its class. Even the tallest passengers are likely to be comfortable. There’s ample head, foot and leg room.

As different as the 850 is, it retains at least one Volvo trademark: It is solid and well-built. The doors close with a reassuring thunk.

Aside from the misadjusted clutch, the test car had one other minor flaw. The car’s built-in alarm system warning light, in the center of the top of the dash, popped out of its mounting. That, too, was fixed at the dealership.

Other than that, the test car was bolted together well.

Volvo has put a price tag on the 850 GLT that seriously undercuts the imported competition. Not surprisingly, the car, which hit the showrooms late last year, is off to a roaring start.

If there’s an Asian or European sports sedan on your shopping list this year, the Volvo 850 GLT is one that should also be taken for a test drive.

You are likely to discover what I did: The 850 GLT is fun to drive, loaded with safety features and an outstanding value.

Truett’s tip: Volvo’s first front-wheel drive sports sedan is an excellent machine that is loaded with safety features. It’s nicely styled, and it’s a pleasure to drive.