Volvo S80 [2011]

Volvo S80

In India, Volvo is a name synonymous with comfort , luxury and effortless cruising thanks to the brand building done by their range of inter-City coaches. This has worked in both ways for the passenger car division of the Swedish giant. On one hand , the above mentioned qualities come attached with the name tag , however on the other , most people end up associating the marque with trucks and buses. The moment they see the same badge on a luxury limo , it is sometimes hard for them to digest the fact that it competes well with the likes of the oval ring , the white and blue logo or the three-pointed star.

With 11 percent more power and five percent more torque , Volvo S80 D5 comes as no surprise that the new S80 diesel is a delight to drive. Powered by a 2.4-litre, in-line five-cylinder engine, it develops an impressive 205bhp of power and 420Nm of torque, translating into a 0-0100km/h acceleration in just over 8 seconds and a genuine top speed of almost 230km/h. Though the cubic capacity remains the same, the inclusion of a twin-turbo (among other changes) results in this hike. At the same time, the engine runs efficiently as well, delivering 9.5kmpl in the city and 14.5kmpl on the highway. For the few days I had the car with me, I drove it almost everywhere but failed to get the fuel needle to the red zone. With a 70litre tank and a good fuel economy, this was expected! Coming back to the engine, the D5, though claimed to be eight percent quieter than the previous version, is still on the noisier side. Nonetheless , it is a lovely motor and frankly is much more responsive than I expected. In fact, I often found myself driving the car in a more spirited fashion than what it was probably meant for and seldom did it disappoint me. The auto ‘box isn’t bad, downshifting quickly to my right foot inputs.

The changes to the exterior are very subtle – a bigger iron mark grille , chrome lining around the fog lights , lamps , etc (which was standard on the V8 variant) and of course twin pipes at the rear. Our test car drew quite a few admiring looks on the road in the span of the three days I had it with me. On the inside , the S80 remains as plush as ever with a new seat design in Napa leather being even more soft and comfortable. The steering is new , though the dated central console remains along with the tiny screen. However , it gets chrome embellishment. The front seats also get three memory settings and the premium audio system felt up there with the best in this segment. Rear passengers get their own air-con as well as audio system controls. Our test car also came with a small folding middle seat with a strap on for a child seat. Very clever! The car also comes with IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) which effectively reduces the amount of particles , pollen , gases and certain unpleasant odours in the air that enters the passenger compartment.

The S80 has always been about comfort than outright agility. It is of course not as dynamically proficient as some of its German counterparts , but it is a plush limo-esque car that offers a lot for its Rs 37 lakh (ex-showroom , Delhi) price tag - a lakh cheaper than the outgoing model. The only chink in the armour remains in the form of Volvo’s relatively small dealer network. There are currently seven dealers across India and the company is working on adding four more this year. There are other options at almost the same price in the market , but trust me when I say that there’s definitely something clinically beautiful about the S80. It will undoubtedly remain in my shortlist for a long time to come.

The refreshed Volvo S80 is the result of an intensive dialogue between Volvo Cars' project group and the discerning customers in the premium sedan segment. "We are ready to give the competition a tough match. With the new Volvo S80, we're placing the bar at the very highest level when it comes to exclusiveness, quality and driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

The refreshed Volvo S80 is being unveiled for the very first time at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show in early March and sales will start in spring 2009.

Building on great success of the previous Volvo S80 in key markets such as Russia, Volvo Cars' large sedan model takes centre stage with far greater self-assurance than ever, the result of a more distinctive and elegant design, a more exclusive interior and a sharper chassis and upgraded engine range.

"From the outside, the refreshed Volvo S80 looks both larger and more elegant. But we've also given it a tougher face. In Germany, they talk about the "böser blick", that is to say the front of the car should look rather menacing when it fills the rear-view mirror of the car in front," explains Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. He adds:

"However, the refreshed Volvo S80 should not just be seen, it has to be experienced. The atmosphere inside is both more comfortable and luxurious, with an increased aura of craftsmanship. We've also made the interior more driver-oriented, not least with a new steering wheel and upgraded instruments. Our chassis and engine experts have made sure the driving experience is as exclusively attractive as the interior is."

Detail precision and quality materials

Steve Mattin and his team have increased the exterior's elegant charisma with a number of details that give the Volvo S80 a lower, longer and wider stance.

The front is more distinctive with a new grille featuring the larger iron mark, which is part of the more extrovert DNA of recent Volvo models. There is also new brightwork on the air intakes, lower part of the doors and under the tail lamps.

Inside the car the spotlight is on increased exclusivity and comfort. The soft, sumptuous leather seats with their matching stitching are accompanied by door panels echoing the same trim. The super-slim floating centre stack is upgraded with a silk metal frame that emphasises its original design and enhances its exclusive feel, while simultaneously creating a design link to the recently launched Volvo XC60.

The instruments in the refreshed Volvo S80 get exclusive aluminium dials and Volvo Cars is also launching a new generation of steering wheels. The décor trim with silk matte metal-effect finish on the four-spoke steering wheel is also found in the gear selector, around the starter button.

"It is the combination of a number of carefully thought-out details that together creates the overall aura. Since eight out of ten customers specify leather upholstery, the seats are a good example. Here we have focused on comfort by creating unbeatable seating and side support, accentuated further by the superb quality of the soft Scandinavian hide," says Steve Mattin.

Customers with more individual tastes will be able to select upholstery from the exclusive Executive range, which features classic and sober styles.

All-new five-cylinder diesel engines and new chassis alternatives

The driving experience in the refreshed Volvo S80 has been elevated with an entirely new twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel. The new D5 engine offers 205 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque over a very wide range of engine revs. Fuel consumption (EU combined) is only 6.2 l/100 km (164g/km) - a record-low figure for a car of this size and performance level. This state-of-the-art engine delivers all the fun without the headache.

The refreshed Volvo S80 is also available with an upgraded Euro 4-compliant 2.4-litre diesel engine with 175 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque, fuel consumption (EU Combined) at 5.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 154 g/km (preliminary figures).

When it comes to chassis choice, Volvo Cars has developed two distinct alternatives - one with the cosseting feeling of supreme comfort and one truly dynamic for the driving pleasure soul. The comfort chassis will be offered as standard and the lowered sport chassis is offered as an option.

Hard to beat offer

The refreshed Volvo S80 enters a segment that is dominated by male customers with considerable interest in cars and with very firm expectations regarding exclusiveness, driving properties and brand image. The choice of car is often based on the individual's personal tastes and preferences, but it also has to serve as a family car.

"Customers in this segment are often very brand-loyal. In order to appear on the radar of customers currently driving competitor cars, we have to offer something that is truly extra. We do this by offering exclusiveness, comfort and driving properties of absolute top level. In combination with world-leading safety, this makes the refreshed Volvo S80 very hard to beat. A true lifestyle product," says Stephen Odell and adds:

"I would like to give those who know about the Volvo S80 but who have never driven one, a sound piece of advice. Take a closer look at this car and take it out for a thorough test drive. You'll be amazed at what we have achieved."