QOTD: Which Models Fly in the Face of Brand Stereotypes?

Stereotyping is something we all do, for better or worse. It’s in the normative for people to establish an immediate set of parameters around a person, place, or thing (so, nouns) without a second thought. The human brain is comfortable within these predetermined expectations. Similarly, consumers have expectations and stereotypes of brands. X/Y/Z brand are expected to offer a particular style, model, or paint color — and many brands exist in these stereotypes entirely without any joie de vivre, or whatever French phrases people throw out to sound intellectual.

But today I want to know what cars stand out within their brand. Which models past or present threw the marque’s guideline book out the window to become par excellence? (Ugh.)

It seems most marques have at least a model or two in the archives that represent a unique moment of freedom from the accountants, catatonic designers, or the most boring engineer at the 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder meeting.

The Lexus LF-A in the headline image today is a good example.

Toyota pulled out all the stops to create an incredibly fast, and insanely technological supercar. Commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Lexus brand, the LF-A wore a price tag of $445,000 and Toyota still lost money on every example sold. Park it next to any other Lexus (ever), and the tour de force (gag) that was the LF-A is clear.

But the LF-A is too swoopy and fast to be my selection for a favorite stereotype-breaker. I’ve selected something more square, and a lot slower.

That’s right — it’s a Volvo, and it’s creamy and yellow. This stick of margarine you see here is the genesis of Volvo’s performance R line. In 1995, Volvo made available the 850 T-5R, even in North America, but it was one (year) and done. Horsepower increased by 18 to 243, and a unique Bosch ECU added 2 psi onto the turbo. This formerly boring box could travel from 0 to 60 in just 5.8 seconds. Porsche had its hands on the engine tuning, transmission, and other important driveline bits.

In traditional and ICE-covetous fashion, a huge estate version was also available, taking the T5-R even further away from Volvo standards.

Exterior modifications on both models included a new bumper, rear spoiler, skirts down the sides, and aluminum door sills. Porsche even developed the special leather/Alcantara combo seats. Only 876 T5-R models made it into the United States, and 103 to Canada. In all following years, these models became the more common 850R, and were not considered by Volvo to be direct replacements for the limited production 850 T-5R. (If you find one for sale, let me know, and I’ll do it up as a Rare Rides post.)

The Volvo R models would continue through the late 2000s, with the S60R and V70R being the last examples of the breed. After that, Polestar would take up the mantle producing hot Volvos. Still, the T5-R will always be the first. Volvo had never created such a performance trim before; never had “go faster, intentionally” really been a goal for the safety-loving Swedes.

So, in your opinion, what vehicles stand out against their brand stereotypes?