Volvo S80 RANGE
Volvos Revised S80 Aims To Offer A Safer Alternative For Executives. Jonathan Crouch Checks It Out
If the queues at your local IKEA furniture superstore are anything to go by, Swedish design is right in vogue just at present. Only in automotive circles has Scandinavian creativity yet to be properly recognised. But things are changing - and much of it is due to
Volvo.
The S60 has, for example, certainly created approving waves amongst the ranks of Compact Executive saloon owners, but the swoopy, high-shouldered look it promotes was first introduced in a larger Volvo model, the Executive-sized S80. This saloon-only range has been enhanced in recent times, with sharper handling, the addition of 2.0 and 2.5-litre turbocharged petrol engines to the line-up and a far-reaching series of interior upgrades.
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For the latest model year, just two trim levels are on offer, SE Lux and Executive, both featuring satellite navigation as standard equipment. Visual changes include 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. Surprisingly, the S80 D5 diesel doesnt get the new 185bhp engine fitted to S60 and V70 models, continuing to campaign with the old 163bhp unit. Poor demand meanwhile, has seen the 2.9-litre six cylinder petrol and CNG Bi-Fuel variants deleted from the S80 range.
The idea of all this tweaking is to make more credible the cars attempt to challenge the luxury Executive establishment normally dominated by cars like the Mercedes E-class,
BMW's 5 Series and
Audi's A6. ''If you never thought of yourself as ending up behind the wheel of a
Volvo, you could be in for a shock'' This is no easy task of course, which is why the S80 comes armed with an awesome portfolio of virtues. Model for model, you'll find it bigger, faster and more environmentally friendly than any of its Teutonic rivals. Oh, and it's less expensive too, with prices starting at around £23,728 for the 2.4-litre 140 and 170bhp models or at £25,543 for the turbocharged petrol variants. The diesel costs from £25,538. As for equipment, all models come with a package of extra items that include alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control and wood-effect trim.
The problem for Volvo was that none of this was making much impact on sales of rival Audi, BMW, Mercedes or
Saab models. Rightly or wrongly, the S80 was perceived as a rather less dynamic option than some of its counterparts hence those recent changes. Owners used to the original version will be mighty impressed with the way the car now handles a sweeping set of bends. Much of this is down to Four-C, 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.
One of the best all-round derivatives in the original S80 line-up was the light pressure turbocharged petrol-powered 2.4T, introduced in 2002 but already replaced by the latest 2.5T which claims to offer more power, torque and all-round performance. At least one thing hasn't changed. This is still 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 now 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. Refinement and ride quality are equally outstanding. An awful lot of work has gone into making sure that all the engine hardware is effectively packaged. The long wheelbase allows for a bigger passenger compartment.
Indeed, take a long trip in an S80 after spending time in one of its German rivals and it isn't long before you appreciate the fact. Wherever you're sitting, there's more room for arms, legs and shoulders. You could almost be in a car from the next class up. In summary, this is the most credible luxury saloon Volvo has yet made - by some margin. If you never thought of yourself as ending up behind the wheel of a Volvo, you could be in for a shock.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo S80 range
PRICES: £23,728-£39,648 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 14-16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 187-270g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.5T] 0-60mph 7.3s / Max Speed 146mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.5T] (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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