Volvo S80 T6
Volvos Revised S80 T6 Offers A Beguiling Blend Of Speed, Safety And Sophistication. Andy Enright Reports
The
Volvo S80 T6 is a car looking for a market. Its difficult to pinpoint exactly who these hard charging executives who dont want or cant afford the equivalent Mercedes,
BMW,
Audi or
Jaguar are but Volvo remain confident they exist. When it was first launched back in 1998, the S80 received rave reviews and topped many comparison tests but since then normal service seems to have been resumed with the usual contenders occupying the top spots.
Yes, the competition has improved, but then so has the S80 T6. Whats changed is that the novelty has worn off. The appeal of a front-wheel drive Volvo versus rear or four-wheel drive rivals has palled a little but its worth revisiting this oft-overlooked car to discover quite what all that initial fuss was about. With a hefty 272bhp being deployed by the front tyres, the T6 at first brings back unsavoury memories of the wayward 850 T5 estates of the early nineties, but times have changed and a combination of tyre technology, clever electronics and sophisticated suspension geometry means that the T6 is able to deploy that power in a civilised manner, wet or dry tarmac notwithstanding.
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In perfect conditions, its enough to send the big S80 to 60mph in just 7.2 seconds and will top out at 155mph, although if you expect this much improved car to handle like a decent
BMW or
Jaguar you may be a little disappointed. Think more in terms of luxury specification
Audi A6 and you shouldnt come up too short in terms of expectation. Fuel economy when driven in this manner leaves something to be desired, but exercise a little more restraint with your right boot and you should be able to average 25mpg no mean feat for such a hefty car.
Company car users will get a bit of a fright when they clock the T6s 272g/km emissions showing.
"Yes, the competition has improved, but then so has the S80 T6"
Prices kick off at £31,343 for the entry-level SE Lux version and this includes features like satellite navigation, alloy wheels, a CD player, cruise control and wood-effect trim. The Executive model, priced from £39,943, may seem like a huge step up in terms of pricing but its supremely well appointed. To cater for chauffeur-driven applications, rear passenger legroom has been improved, and the rear seats themselves have been upgraded to heated armchair-style numbers, trimmed in leather. If youre the sort of person whos accustomed to turning left upon entering a 747, youll know what to expect.
To facilitate entry to the back, the doors hinging system has been modified to let them open wider. The ambience in the rear is given the perfect gentlemans club quality by the addition of genuine walnut trim, which tends to be a rare sight these days. Injection-moulded walnut, a species imported from Japan sometime in the early seventies, thankfully doesnt appear. The piece de resistance in the back is the fitment of a refrigerator to chill your GandTs as youre hustled to the Executive Lounge.
A rear console is fitted which houses a power outlet, electric rear window sun curtain switch, ashtray and additional storage cubbies. Plus theres the
Volvo Road Traffic Information system and integrated telephone, remote control front and rear TV/video monitors and a DVD player. Other electronic gadgets include a Dolby Pro-Logic sound system and a WAP dual band phone that lets you check your share prices or book pizzas on the go. If you want the genuine Euro-Commissioner effect, why not specify the dark-tinted rear windows, soft leather upholstery and armoured protection? The S80s 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. Volvo spotters will notice the dark silver square-mesh front grille, the extra chrome on the door handles, under the side windows and on the lower bumper air intake and the redesigned, more aerodynamic door mirrors which apparently keep the windows cleaner. At the back, there are smaller rear light clusters with LED brake lights, plus a reprofiled one-piece bootlid and a redesigned colour-coded bumper. At the front, there a smoother section around the grille, bumper and spoiler with larger apertures for the foglamps.
Which leaves only the interior. There are smarter door panels, nicer grab handles, a charcoal coloured finish for the centre dashboard controls and smarter trim. The 6-cylinder models get sporty chronograph-style dashboard instrumentation, while 5-cylinder models use XC90-style chrome detailing. 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%.
The Volvo S80 T6 may not possess the dynamic excellence of a BMW 5 Series, the charm of a Jaguar S-TYPE, the all-wheel drive security of an Audi A6 quattro or the sheer superiority complex engendered by a Mercedes E-Class but its a car that doesnt seem to play by conventional rules. The typical S80 T6 driver will just chuckle at these cars, dismissing them as toys for the chattering classes, confident that theyve made a mature and informed choice. You may not agree but its worth seeing if the T6s appeal is lost on you.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Volvo S80 T6 range
PRICES: £31,343-£39,943 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 15-16
CO2 EMISSIONS: 272g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 7.2s / Max Speed 156mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 25mpg
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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