Volvo S80 2.5T
The
Volvo S80 Has Carved A Respectable Niche For Itself In A Tough Part Of The Market. The 2.5T Version Adds A Little Spice. Andy Enright Reports.
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Think five cylinders and a petrol engine with a decent turbocharged turn of speed and chances are youll think of
Audi. This was the setup used by the legendary Quattro and which became almost an Ingolstadt trademark. Of late, however, its been impossible to find such a setup not only from Audi, but anywhere in the premium executive sector. Except at Volvo.
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Enter the S80 2.5T.
Although its the more glamorous models like the T6 variants that tend to generate more column inches, its the 2.4 and 2.5-litre five-cylinder models that UK customers actually buy. These have managed to campaign against
BMW, Mercedes and
Audi through a combination of keen value and new school
Volvo styling.
With the entry-level 2.4-litre model opening at £23,728, the Volvo offers a lot of very good looking metal for the money. With 140bhp on tap it doesnt offer much in the way of power projection even if it does summon more oomph than similarly priced Teutonic rivals. The 170bhp version offers some recompense, as does the 180bhp 2.
0T, but to many drivers, anything less than 200bhp just wont cut it in the executive car park.
"Putting 210bhp through the front wheels was a big no-no as recently as ten years ago. Now it works, works well and, in true Volvo fashion, works safely"
For £26,743, the 210bhp S80 2.5T now comfortably gains entry into that particular club and its illuminating to see how much youd have to pay to join with rival marques.
Saab will want £27,885 for their 9-5 Aero whilst youd need a £32,640 subscription for an Audi A6 3.2 quattro.
Should you need any more convincing of the S80s value credentials, its worth bearing in mind that the latest models have been treated to a round of revisions that keep them fresh. That styling remains this cars most distinctive feature and its something that the Gothenburg stylists have resisted the temptation to meddle with too much. Not that theyve been idle. The latest S80s are subtly distinguished by clear side marker lights, black grille and chrome door mirrors to match the door handles.
Internally there are two new aluminium/chrome inlays available, and the T6's chronograph dials are now standard on all models. Inside, there are
smart door panels, nice grab handles, a charcoal coloured finish for the centre dashboard controls and smarter trim. Otherwise the interior is left much as it was at the original launch, with predictably superb detailing. It isn't only that the car comes with plenty of equipment - you'd probably expect that. No, it's the detail touches you remember. The front console-mounted buttons for the optional telephone, the loudspeaker in the driver's headrest, the remotely operable lights that enable you to approach or leave the car in greater safety. Talking of which, well, this is being billed as the world's safest car - and it's hard to argue. There are airbags everywhere: two at the front and two at the side, all of which have been programmed to activate less aggressively. Plus there's an inflatable curtain which covers the side windows and protects the occupant's head in a lateral impact. On top of all that and class leading side, front and rear impact protection, there's also WHIPS (Volvo's 'whiplash protection system'). In the event of an impact, the whole
seat moves backwards to absorb the initial impact and prevent the body being catapulted forwards. Simultaneously, the upper part of the seat moves up and forward to protect the neck and spine. The result should reduce the likelihood of whiplash injuries by as much as 50%.
Features like these are mighty impressive but the Swedes are well aware that more active virtues will be needed to persuade owners of prestige German marques to part with their enamelled keyfobs. Since the S80 is front, rather than rear wheel driven, you shouldn't expect it to handle like a BMW - nor does it. There's little to choose however, between the Volvo and its rivals at Audi and Mercedes when it comes to hurling the car round the twisty stuff provided you spend another £1,100 and specify the optional Four-C active chassis system. Four-C is Volvo-speak for Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept, the adaptive chassis set-up that the S80 engineers have borrowed from the high performance S60R and V70 R models. Depending on your mood, you can set it in either Comfort or Sport, with predictable results in both cases. Also contributing to the sharper feel is the new ZF steering system.
No longer should controlling an S80 at speed around a country lane feel like trying to check the tiller of a Channel ferry in a blustery gale. Just as well then that the previously optional Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system (DSTC) is now standard on all models. Refinement and ride quality remain S80 strong suits, as does fuel economy, the manual car returning an average of over 30mpg. Where the 2.
5T version really scores is in offering a genuinely heavyweight punch. Its top speed of 146mph will allow it to mix it on the autobahn and the ability to sprint to 60mph in 7.3 seconds is a testament to impressive advances in traction management. Putting 210bhp through the front wheels was a big no-no as recently as ten years ago.
Now it works, works well and, in true Volvo fashion, works safely. That the Volvo S80 2.5T is the most affordable way to gain entry to the executive 200bhp club is beyond refute. Whats more remarkable is that it manages this feat for less than
Vauxhall ask for an Omega MV6 whilst offering a level of build quality that Mercedes struggle to match with their E-Class.
When considering the real world applications of this car, review of this cars test sheet revealed the words "No significant flaws." Its hard to praise the S80 2.5T highly enough. If youve got a realistic budget and are looking for the best executive car around, this is probably it.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo S80 2.5T
PRICES: £26,743 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 14
CO2 EMISSIONS: 222g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.3s / Max Speed 146mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (average) 30mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front airbags, side airbags, side impact curtains WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE ?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4820/1830/1450
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