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My only previous experience behind the wheel of a Volvo was during a family holiday in the UK.
It was an estate model, with enough room for the kids, the luggage, a fridge and the New York Yankees. This was one big, safe, comfortable car…but as sexy as cold porridge.
A very warm welcome, then, to Volvo’s equivalent of Jessica Alba (ladies, think Hugh Jackman).
The S80 is smart, sassy, sporty, swift and yes, damned sexy.
This is the second generation of Volvo’s large prestige sedan, launched at the Geneva motor show in 2006. The all-new S80 is broader and taller than its predecessor, with an extended wheelbase and wider front and rear track.
Top of the range is the V8 R-Design and after just a couple of days behind the new and sporty four-spoke steering wheel I was hooked.
The AWD is the first Volvo sedan to feature the compact, transversely mounted V8 engine that was first launched in the Volvo XC90. It is also one of the cleanest V8 engines on the market. Built in light aluminium alloy, you’ll be surprised that such a beastie can fit under the bonnet. But you’ll be glad it does because the power it delivers to your right foot is impressive, allowing you to weave effortlessly in and out of traffic, before leaving it in your wake.
Combine this with the AWD system that uses an electronically controlled, hydraulically activated Haldex clutch to distribute power between the front and rear wheels, and you’ve got one super smooth ride. This car takes corners like David Beckham.
But while impressive engine technology is fine and dandy, it’s often the look and the feel of a car that clinches the deal. And here my S80 ticked all the boxes, with a bold new matt silver grille, 18-inch wheels, rear spoiler and chrome exhaust pipes. And my wife just loved the colour, the exotic-sounding Caspian Blue. No doubt our bedroom will soon follow suit.
The black leather interior was simple yet classy while the high-back bucket seats were so comfortable I could easily have nodded off (only kidding, Mr Volvo).
The dashboard isn’t swamped with buttons but there are still enough gizmos to keep the driver occupied. The VNS navigation console rises up out of the dashboard like a Wurlitzer organ at the cinema. It’s controlled by a couple of buttons on the steering wheel and while they take a bit of getting used to, once mastered can be operated with confidence.
Now it wouldn’t be a Volvo if there weren’t a heap of safety features and the S80 range sees many fitted as standard. Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Information System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Collision Warning and Auto Brake are all standard equipment, along with all the usual airbags and seat pre-tensioners.
There are also plenty of little touches. A compass in the rear view mirror shows you the direction you are travelling, while a quick press of a button allows the driver to fold down the rear passenger headrests for better vision. The kids loved the inbuilt iPod docking port in the centre console.
Being fairly tall, I would have liked a little more room for my left leg while driving. On a long trip, I think it might get a little cramped. I also found the four little red warning lights that appear on the windscreen as part of the collision warning a little distracting, which slightly defeats the object. But just like the lane-changing warning alarm that sounds like a poker machine, all of these can be switched off.
For years Volvo has been Sweden’s biggest export, just ahead of a certain world famous pop group. The biggest compliment I can pay this car is that if I had the money, money, money, I’d be saying gimmie, gimmie, gimmie an S80 before you could say ABBA (sorry, it’s been a long week!). p
By Jon Underwood.
at a glance
Volvo S80 V8 AWD R-Design
Engine: V8, 32-valve petrol engine. Continually variable valve timing on inlet and exhaust side delivering 232kW @ 5950rpm
Torque: 440Nm @ 3950rpm
0-100kph: 6.5 secs
Max speed: 250km/h (limited)
Fuel tank: 70 litres
Fuel economy: Combined 11.9l/100km
Gross Vehicle Weight: 1783kg
Overall length: 4851mm
Wheel base: 2835mm
MLP: $100,450 (exc. stamp duty and on road costs) For more information visit: www.volvocars.com.au
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