The 850 R comes in two colors, red or black. We always prefer dark colors when itcomes to high-performance cars, and the station wagon bodywork lends an additional
element of disguise.
We don't mean to advocate back road banditry here, but sooner or later the power of
the 850 R engine will tempt drivers into occasional bursts of extra-legal speed. This
is an realm to reach. Stab the accelerator and the car surges forward with a liquid
rush that's positively habit-forming, as well as handy when you're passing slower
traffic on some twisty byway.
The standard 850 is smooth and efficient, a pleasant engine to live with. The engines
in the 850 Turbo and 850 R has those same traits, but its heady rush of power is
addictive.
When it comes to ride and handling, the standard 850s comport themselves with dignity,
comfort and control. The 850 R--and other 850s optioned up with the sport suspension
package--lend an additional dimension to the foregoing. Response to driver input is
quick and aggressive, with far less body roll than the standard car. Body roll equals
weight transfer. The more a given car rolls in a corner, the longer it's likely to
take to recover and make a quick change in direction.