About Volvo 780
The 1986 Volvo 780 Coupe was styled by Bertone and increased the image of the Swedish carmaker.
After the pleasant cooperation in the late '70s, when Bertone made a new styling for the Volvo 262 C, the Swedish company asked for more. The Italian manufacturer took a regular 760 and worked its magic, and the result was a boxy-looking coupe with a wedge shape and luxurious interior.
Bertone built the 780's bodyworks in Italy and then shipped them to Sweden for final assembly. It might have been a hustle, but it was better than changing the stamping department. Unlike the 262 C, which had the roof chopped, the 780 kept the same roof and A-pillars to leave the same headroom inside. At the rear, the C-pillar had a smoother rake, which gave a faster silhouette when compared to the upright sedans.
The interior was fitted with leather upholstery and wood trims on the dashboard. The front power seats were wide and built for a comfortable ride. Volvo tried to pitch the 780 against the Mercedes-Benz SEC and the BMW 6-Series, but not in terms of performance. Its square-looking dashboard and other luxury items recommended it as a personal luxury coupe.
Unfortunately, the engine was too weak for the car's weight, and the rear axle couldn't provide the comfort of a luxury coupe. Volvo fixed things in 1988 when it introduced a new turbocharged engine and replaced the rear axle with an independent suspension system.