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In 1994 Volvo waded into battle in the British Touring Car Championship. But it just wouldn't be right for the company famous for estates to enter a saloon.

They turned up with a couple of load-luggers at the first race. Oh, how we laughed - until 1996 when they started winning consistently. And that's why Stuart Milne loves the 850.

Fifteen years ago, petrolheads would rather chew their own knees off than drive a Volvo.

Five years later, the performance car aristocracy was almost brought to its knees by the ultimate in discreet speed - the Volvo 850 T5-R.

It took everything that Volvo was known for - boxy styling, safe and the always-on headlights - rounded off the corners and dropped in a hot engine.
 
The T5-Rs 2.3-litre engine was force-fed by a chunky turbo and developed a pant-wetting 250bhp.

From a standing start, it would hit 60mph in 6.7 seconds and go on to 155mph.

Despite chucking down all of its power through the front wheels, roadholding was excellent - and you could still chuck all your gear in the back.

Volvo was having a mid-life crisis.

Sure it had all of the body tweaks you'd expect of a hot car - big wheels, fancy bumpers and a boot spoiler, but really you'd be hard pressed to tell it from its slower, duller siblings.

For me though, that was the appeal. I'm a big lover of Q-Cars (the name petrolheads give to demure but devastatingly quick motors), because Flash Harry in the sportscar next to you just hasn't a clue what you've got under the bonnet.

Plant your right foot on the throttle and Big Harry will be getting smaller at an alarming rate.

 That's why the rozzers loved driving 'em.

Naturally the T5-R had all the stuff you'd expect from a Volvo. Bomb-proof bodywork, airbags and side impact bars came as standard, as did all the toys befitting a £32,500 car.

Buyers were offered the walnut trim or Scandinavian birch trim, along with leather and alcantara seats which moved about electrically.

That's a lot of kit, especially as you can pick up a good T5-R or the even rarer 850R for about £4k - and stuff like the lower spec T5 GLT can be had for a grand.

Usually I don't pay much attention to manufacturer's PR puff, but Volvo hit the nail on the head:

Exhilarating. Exclusive. Utterly compelling. The 850R overtakes the senses.