S80 to better compete with the big boys
Volvo is responding to continuing evolution in the premium sedan market with a completely new S80 that is more powerful, better riding, sportier to drive and provides a more luxurious ambience.
Retaining its status as the flagship of the Volvo line, the 2007 S80 features two new engine choices, a long list of technological advances while retaining that distinctly Volvo character that the company calls an aura of 'Scandinavian luxury'.
Roughly the same size as the model it replaces, the second-generation S80's biggest change comes in a nearly 2-inch increase in wheelbase. That translates directly into a smoother cruise, better access to the interior (especially to the rear, where the doors have been reworked and the door openings recut) and more legroom inside.
But the one big thing that always held the S80 back was its power generator. The previous model was motivated by a 208-hp turbocharged 5-cylinder engine displacing 2.5-litres. The new model gets a choice of a new inline-6 or V8, both mated to sequentially-shiftable 6-speed automatics transferring power to all four wheels (other markets, including the US, get a front-wheel drive "six").
The transversely-mounted 4.4-litre V8 puts out 311 horsepower and generates a peak 325 lbs.ft, with 84 percent of it (273 lbs.ft available from 2000 rpm). That puts the S80 on a par with rear-drive competitors such as the Lexus GS 430 and BMW 550i. Meanwhile, variable camshaft timing and a variable intake system keep fuel usage down and contribute to efficient emissions control.
The engine has a nice exhaust note that lets the driver know it's got power to play with, but not so overbearing that it detracts from the car's luxury intentions. Over a brief run through the desert south of Las Vegas, it returned an onboard-indicated average of 11.4 litres per 100 km.
The inline-6 displaces 3.2 litres to make 235 hp (27 more than the current turbo "five") and 236 lbs.ft of torque (equal to the T5 engine). Through the use of technological advances such as Variable Cam Timing and Cam Profile Switching (where the intake valves open at different heights, depending on engine load), Volvo was able to exploit it throughout the rev range to improve fuel efficiency and power delivery.
"In principle, Cam Profile Switching creates two engines in one," explains Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Cars. "We can unite widely differing demands on the engine, and easily satisfy customers who prioritize performance as well as those who are more interested in driving comfort and fuel economy."
Volvo reports acceleration to 100 km/h in less than 6.5 seconds for V8 cars, while "sixes" will sprint from zero to 100 in about eight seconds.
A comfortable ride and agile handling are the rewards of fully-independent front strut and rear multi-link suspension setup. The all-new chassis borrowed components from other cars in the Ford family, and offers up a good combination of comfortable cruising and firm handling. Add to it Volvo's Four C (for Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) active suspension and you create a car that intuitively shelters its occupants from the harshness of the outside world.
Four C uses a myriad sensors to gauge what the body of the car is doing in relation to its speed, in order to maintain its poise and keep under the driver's control. It also takes the concept farther, by allowing the driver to choose from three damping ideals (Comfort, Sport or Advanced) at the push of a button.
The variable-assist steering can also be selected by the driver, through one of three levels, in the vehicle-settings menu on the in-dash control centre. Dynamic stability control is standard on both S80s.
And as with any Volvo, a full complement of safety features are standard -- including the Inflatable Curtain (IC) for side-impact and rollover protection, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) for front seats, and side airbag with dual chamber construction for enhanced hip and chest protection.
Advanced features include swiveling bi-Xenon headlights that turn in tandem with the front wheels, adaptive cruise control that maintains distance to the vehicle ahead and applies breaks in anticipation of a potential crash, blindspot warning system that visually and audibly alerts the driver to a vehicle perhaps out of the field of vision.
And on the safety front, the world's first remote car monitor can tell the owner about the status of a parked vehicle (whether it's stationary, doors locked, and even if it detects a heartbeat inside the vehicle). The vehicle can even be monitored from a distant location (city to city) even though the owner may not be able to do anything about it.
Inside, the new S80 features the usual Volvo attention to detail and simplicity. All components have been studied and downsized, where appropriate, to create more room for occupants (such as the creation of an ultra-slim centre console), one of the world's best audio systems and a strong Scandinavian influence where every detail has been meticulously designed in form and function.
Features include dual-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and the Volvo Premium Sound system that features notable names such as Alpine, Bang & Olufsen, Dolby Pro Logic II and Dynaudio speakers. The interior ambience is on a par with the best from Lexus or Mercedes, with our drive along incredibly smooth Nevada highways producing barely a drone of the outside world.
The car is aimed at affluent buyers with household incomes in the $185,000 range. It is expected that buyers will be about evenly split between men and women.
Volvo Canada anticipates annual sales of about 1,000 S80s, with the majority opting for inline-6 engines. Deliveries start in March and April, 2007. Pricing is expected to range in the mid-$50,000s for I6 models and mid-$60,000s for V8s.
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