Volvo S80: A Totally New Car, A Totally New Experience

ROCKLEIGH, NJ -- As Volvo's new large car, the all-new S80 could be seen as the replacement for the venerable and long-serving S90/V90, which started life in 1982 as the 760. Available as a sedan only, S80 is a front-wheel drive car with a chassis and drivetrain more similar to the S70 and V70 models than the old, rear-wheel drive 760 series. However, S80 is in no way a version of any prior Volvo series. In fact, S80 represents the first member of a family of vehicles built on a totally new platform which is will carry Volvo well into the next century.

As such, the dynamically styled S80 bristles with so many innovative engineering features that it represents a Volvo "Tour d' Force." In essence, the S80 is the culmination of everything Volvo has learned about the art of carmaking over the last 72 years. Among the features intended to enhance performance, safety and passenger comfort, are:

• A body structure with a torsional rigidity that's more than 60 percent stiffer than the current S70 and V70 series models for quieter ride and improved comfort.

• Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) to help minimize whiplash injuries to front seat occupants in rear-end collisions.

• Inflatable Curtain (IC) to help protect front and rear seat occupants from head injuries in the event of a side impact.

• Stability and Traction Control (STC) to help provide sure acceleration from a stand still and at speed on slippery roads.

• Antilock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution to maximize brake performance under all conditions and all loads.

• A transversely mounted 201-hp naturally aspirated 2.9-liter in-line six-cylinder engine and electronically controlled four-speed transmission.

• A T6 version with a transversely mounted 268-hp twin-turbocharged 2.8-liter six-cylinder engine with Geartronic automatic transmission for clutchless, manual shifting.

• An electrical system based on multiplexing to reduce the amount of wire needed in the car, to speed response of all electronic controls, and enhance long term reliability.
  

As benefits an all-new platform, the Volvo S80 offers an exciting, yet refreshing new look. Both the shape of the sheetmetal and the passenger cabin appointments are totally new. While they are unlike any Volvo before, they are, at the same time, like every Volvo. six-cylinder engine and electronically controlled four-speed transmission.

Despite its decidedly unboxy appearance, the S80s body has undeniably been created to function, a true mock of Swedish styling. The form of the body does more than merely follow that function, it contributes to it improving air flow in and around the exterior panels to create less interior noise and enhance fuel economy. For one thing, the new body boasts a level of aerodynamic efficiency that rivals the world's sleekest sports and passenger cars. With a coefficient of drag of only 0.28, the S80 is the sleekest quietest Volvo sedan to date.

For another, the new body has been created to maximize passenger cabin and cargo compartment volume while minimizing external dimensions. Sitting on a 109.9-inch wheel-base, the S80 is only 189.8 inches longer overall. Yet it boasts 42.2 inches of front legroom and 35.9 inches of rear legroom. With a wide stance and overall width of 72.1 inches, sitting on a front track of 62.3 inches and a rear track of 61.4 inches, the S80 provides ample room for five occupants. There's 57.9 inches of front hiproom and 56.9 inches of rear-seat width.

TRADITIONAL NEW LOOKS

Borrowing shapes and lines from Volvo past, like hood lines from 1960s 120 series, shoulder lines from 1970s 140 series yet clearly creating a new shape, the S80 styling is truly Volvo. At the leading edge, the S80 displays Volvo's hallmark grille with its vertical bars and diagonal slash. 120 series, hood's shape is more of a pronounced "V" than before and accents the prominent, aggressive nose of the car. The contour of the grille's "V" flows into the strong lines of the hood, forming an assertive power dome look. Flanking the grille are clear-lens, free-form headlights.

The strong character lines of the hood continue across the car's flanks, defining the beltline. The shoulder formed at the base of the side windows continue along the rear fenders. At the rear of the car, the decklid opening mimics the "V" shape of the grille, in a more subtle design. The decklid drops vertically at the rear, down to the top of the rear bumper. This angular, clean look has aerodynamic benefits and allows for an easy lift-over to load the trunk through a wide opening.

The S80's trunk, which has a 14.2 cubic-foot capacity, sports an opening that is flanked by large jewel-like tail lamp assemblies that have the contour of the fender shoulder. The lenses of the tail lamps are thick, and actually form the trailing edges of the fenders.

The sharp rake of the windshield leads up to a gently curved roofline. The roof flows downward from the center into the sharply raked rear window. The large glass area, which features rear quarter windows aft of the rear door openings, contributes to the interior's feeling of spaciousness. For improved theft intrusion, as well as improved sound deadening, there is an optional laminated side window glass package.