Volvo S80 is Scandinavian luxury

Lorne Drury

METROLAND NEWS

(Apr 26, 2007)

Volvo has long been known for making safe and reliable automobiles. If you were to stop 10 people on the street and ask them what the Scandinavian automaker is known for, chances are most would put safety at the top of the list.

That hasn't changed with the current crop of Volvos. They are still as safe and reliable as ever. What has changed, however, is the styling.

Gone are the boxy, uninspiring models of the past, replaced by more modern, elegant designs.

Case in point is the 2007 Volvo S80 sedan, flagship of the Volvo fleet.

While the first generation S80, introduced in 1998, pointed Volvo in the right direction in the luxury car field, this new expression of "Scandinavian luxury" puts the S80 right in the ballpark with the best that the rest of the world has to offer. Among the competitors are the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes E-class, Acura RL and Lexus GS.

While it's every bit a Volvo, the new S80 is a stunning looking car. And it now has the performance numbers to match the good looks with the addition of the first ever V8 in a Volvo sedan, an engine that was essential for the S80 to properly compete in the luxury sedan category.

This 4.4-litre V8 is similar to the engine offered in the XC90 SUV. Produced in co-operation with Yamaha, this powerplant has 311 horsepower and 325 lb/ft of torque and is coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, which is standard across the board.

All-wheel drive (AWD) is also standard, even on the base car, which comes with an all-new 3.2-litre V6, producing 232 horsepower and 221 lb/ft of torque. The 3.2-litre AWD version starts at $54,995.

My tester was the V8 AWD model, which begins at $64,995. As tested, it topped out at $72,595.

That's no small price tag, but this is a car that brings a lot to the table, including the latest in technology and safety features.

Two of the most useful features are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Blind Spot Information System (BLIS).

ACC is designed for highway use and includes a radar system to monitor the time interval between you and the vehicle in front. Simply set the cruising speed and the time interval and the system does the rest to maintain a constant distance between the two vehicles.

BLIS uses digital cameras mounted outside on each of the door mirrors that monitor when a vehicle is approaching on either side. As a vehicle approaches your blind spot, the system alerts you with a light built into both front door posts. The system is activated once the car's speed exceeds 10 km/h and works both day and night.

Unlike some of the new technology available today that is neat to have but rarely used, these are features that will come in handy on a daily basis.

Since I do a lot of highway driving, the ACC was used regularly during my week with the S80. Ditto for the BLIS, which works in all types of driving situations and makes lane changes a much safer proposition. This is a feature I hope other manufacturers latch onto.

Another neat option is the Personal Car Communicator (PCC) that combines the ease of keyless drive and an interactive communications device. This little key fob makes locking, unlocking and starting the car effortless. It will also tell you if the alarm has been triggered or with the optional heartbeat sensor, it will even tell if someone is in the car.

Other safety features available include a Collision Warning System that monitors the speed of the vehicle in front. If the S80 driver doesn't react on approaching a vehicle from the rear, a red light flashes on the windshield and an audible warning alerts the driver that action is needed immediately. If no action is taken, Brake Support is activated and the brake pads move against the discs in preparation for a hard stop. At the same time, the brake lights will flash to warn drivers behind.

These are just a few of the innovations on the new S80 that simply add to Volvo's already stellar reputation for safety.

As a result, Volvo hopes to win over many customers from the competition. They expect as much as 70 per cent of the average volume, or 50,000 cars a year will go to buyers who do not already drive Volvos. Volvo expects to sell about 1,000 S80s a year in Canada.

The exterior styling will be one of the reasons new customers are attracted to the brand. The trademark grille with its diagonal bar and Volvo logo is front and centre, while the tail lamps follow a common design thread in the Volvo fleet.

It is the same overall length as its predecessor, but it is slightly wider and taller and the wheelbase is extended slightly.

That translates into more interior space, including more head and leg room in a cabin that is just as attractive as the exterior.

Volvo is known for having among the best seats in the business, and it doesn't disappoint with the S80. The heated (and cooled) leather front seats were both supportive and comfortable.

The knobs and controls are well placed and easy to operate, unlike many of the European models where you almost need an engineering degree to decipher how to use the gadgetry.

On the road, the V8 has a throaty roar when you hit the throttle and plenty of pickup for all situations. It's smooth, quiet and refined, but not a full-fledged performance sedan.

Nevertheless, it features all independent suspension, along with four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and stability and traction control. Included in the luxury package is something called Four C Active Chassis, which provides the choice of three distinctive driving modes: Comfort, Sport or Advanced.

Also included on the test car was a killer 650-watt premium Bang & Olufsen sound system with 12 Dynaudio speakers, a $1,200 option.

So if the concept of Scandinavian luxury appeals to you, be sure to take a 2007 S80 out for a test drive. It's a far cry from the staid, boxy designs of previous Volvos and puts the Swedish automaker in the same league as other luxury brands on the market.

Spec Specs

Body style: Luxury sedan. Drive method: front-engine, all-wheel drive. Engine: 3.2-litre, DOHC inline six-cylinder (235 hp, 236 lb/ft): 4.4-litre DOHC V8 (311 hp, 325 lb/ft) Fuel economy: V6, 13.3/8.2L/100 km city/highway; V8, 13.8/8.8L/100 km city/highway. Price: 3.2-litre mid-$54,995; 4.4-litre, mid-$64,995. As tested $72,595.

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