When Volvo were first rumoured to be entering the BTCC for 1994, many assumed that the car's competition debut would in the form of a conventional 850 saloon-based car. Volvo managed to keep it a secret and at the the opening round of the 1994 British Touring Car Championship at Thruxton, when the car was unveiled, there were plenty of surprised looks from drivers and journalists!

Built by Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the two litre, five cylinder Volvo 850 Estate touring car, nicknamed by many as "The Flying Brick", was more than just a clever marketing exercise by the manufacturer.  In the 1994 BTCC season it captured the hearts of many "petrolheads" across the country, who couldn't wait to visit their local Volvo dealer and put a deposit down on an 850 estate, especially if the "850R" version was within budget.