Designed as a rival to the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, the S80 can be ordered with a new Volvo 315 hp V8 with AWD or a 3.2L naturally aspirated inline-six-with 238 horsepower.
'We are convinced that the all new Volvo S80 will be a very strong contender in its class and win over many new customers considering the other popular premium brand rivals. We expect to sell 50,000 new S80s a year around the world, of which 70 per cent will be new Volvo customers," said Frederik Arp, Volvo Cars CEO.
Exterior design
At its launch in 1998 the first generation S80 heralded a new design direction for Volvo. This latest design effort incorporates most of the original S80's design language with some modern touches.
'The all new S80 is about evolutionary design," says Steve Mattin, Volvo Cars design director. 'All the shapes and materials it uses represent a continuous development of the Volvo design language. We have given the all new S80 a more youthful and dynamic stance, and created an even more inviting atmosphere by using refined materials and colours that blend smoothly with smart, user-friendly technology," he continued.
Safety
New safety technology for the S80 includes a unique Personal Car Communicator (PCC), a collision warning system with automatic emergency breaking, Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), active Bi-Xenon headlights and a body structure developed at the award winning Volvo Safety Centre.
- Personal Car Communicator (PCC): The new S80 includes an optional key fob incorporating a Personal Car Communicator (PCC) that features technology to remotely check if the car is locked or not, alert the owner if the alarm has been activated, and a heartbeat sensor that warns if there is anyone in the car.
- Collision Warning and Brake Support: The Collision Warning system alerts the driver, via a 'heads-up' warning display on the windscreen plus audible buzzer, if the gap to the car in front closes so fast that a collision is likely, while the Brake Support system boosts the braking force to ensure braking is as effective as possible.
- The new active Bi-Xenon headlights improve the driver's visibility at night by turning the beam of the headlights in the direction the steering wheel is being turned.
Premium Sound audio system
Volvo's Premium Sound audio system for the all new S80 will include 5x130W D-class digital ICE power amplifiers from Alpine, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround Sound and Dynaudio speakers.
New naturally aspirated engines
The first of Volvo's new engines for the S80 is the automaker's Yamaha V8, offering 315 hp and 325 pound-feet of torque, which will be combined with all-wheel-drive for maximum traction. Four catalytic converters and advanced electronics also make it one of the cleanest V8 engines available, Volvo says.
The second engine will be a completely new, naturally aspirated 3.2-litre six-cylinder unit delivering 235 hp with 236 pound-feet of torque and like all Volvos will be fitted transversely to provide maximum space and improved crash performance with more space to absorb any impact.
The new engine was designed by Volvo and will be built at the Ford group engine plant in Bridgend, Wales alongside six and eight-cylinder units for other PAG brands, such as Jaguar and Land Rover. Despite being a six-cylinder unit, it has been designed to be more compact than Volvo's five-cylinder engines thanks to the camshaft drive mechanism and ancillaries being relocated and integrated into the engine block itself.
Driving Dynamics
Advanced technology in the new S80 includes the options of Volvo's active 'Four-C' chassis with three settings which constantly adjusts chassis settings to suit driving conditions and preferred driving styles, plus servotronic steering offering variable steering torque. In addition, there will be All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction (initially with the V8 engine) and all models will have DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control).
