There were 3 phases of the 1st generation V70R, with the best - as usual, saved for last. Phase 3 was produced for just a short run from September 1999 till March 2000 (UK: V - W reg). A new 2.4L engine 2435cc / Engine Code B5244RT) was introduced and power increased from (250 bhp - phase 2) to 265 bhp by use of a larger (19T) turbo and all-new variable valve timing. Torque was now up to 400N.m (300 lb·ft) @2500 rpm. The engine was uprated with stronger internal components to cope with this added power and torque. A fly-by-wire ME7 engine management system was also introduced along with a 5-Speed Adaptive Automatic gearbox combined with an advanced system 4WD. Phase 3 V70R's were distinguishable by their twin exhaust silencers with a specially designed rear bumper - twin exhausts helping improve high rev gas-flow (The first time Volvo had fitted a twin-silencer system to any of their cars). Rear brakes were also upgraded to include vented discs. Featured 5-spoke alloy wheels are Volvo's 17” R design - again, unique to this model. Externally, Halogen headlights with wash/wipe and a new roof rail design completed the feature changes to previous phase 1 & 2 models. None of the usual Q-car manufacturers had expected Volvo to make a very fast 4WD estate (To replace the preceeding FWD 850R), but the perhaps entertaining truth found by those who challenged it was that this model was capable of embarrassing other seemingly fast cars, whether on a typically damp UK country roads or on Motorways. To this day the Volvo V70R AWD remains a superb & versatile performance car capable of handling anything from the weekly shop, to being used as a car for business, offering tough, reliable spacious and comfortable practicality with the ability to dispatch 0-60 in just 7.2 seconds and  go on to top out at (a restricted) 155mph. An impressive list of standard equipment showed that Volvo had thought of everything: ABS, SRS airbags for both front seat occupants and VIPS side airbags, WHIPS (Whiplash protection) system, red warning lights on all 4 side doors, factory fitted tinted glass, tilt / slide electric glass sunroof, roof rails, unmarked grey leather & Alcantara interior with (almost instant & very warm!) heating for front & rear seats, electric front seats with memory, veneer trim panels, split - foldable rear seats, dual climate control air conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, Original 8-speaker sound system, "R" fitted floor mat set, remote controlled door mirrors with retract mode & heated door mirror glass with anti blind spot glass on driver's side, remote central locking, remote fuel & tailgate release, pre-tensioned seat belts, headlights with wash/wipe, deep front spoiler with integrated driving lights, high-level rear spoiler, rear wash-wipe, mud flaps for all 4 wheels.