Turbo Gives Extra Volume To S80

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday November 8, 2008

Toby Hagon

TIMES may be tough but that hasn't stopped Volvo adding more luxury to its most luxurious model, the S80. A tweak to Volvo's largest sedan heralds the arrival of a 3.0-litre turbocharged engine accompanied by a new T6 badge. Priced from $78,650, the S80 T6 sits in the middle of the three-model range, bookended by the diesel-powered D5 ($72,950) and flagship V8 ($98,950).

Expected to account for almost two-thirds of S80 sales, the new turbocharged six-cylinder T6 replaces the regular 3.2-litre inline six-cylinder. It lifts power to 210kW (up 20 per cent) but uses more fuel, sipping 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres (up 4.7 per cent).

Designed to improve driving response, the turbo engine delivers a V8-like 400Nm of torque, now available from 1500rpm, where it's more easily accessible in everyday use.

Like the more expensive, more powerful S80 V8, the T6 drives all four wheels and mates to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The T6 engine is designed to offer more performance against similarly priced German competitors. Standard equipment includes leather trim, Bluetooth phone connection, parking sensors, dual-zone air-conditioning, heated seats, rain-sensing wipers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

In keeping with Volvo's reputation for safety, all S80s come with front and side airbags (including curtains) and a stability-control system. There are also laminated side windows that resist shattering in a crash, whiplash-reducing headrests, bi-xenon headlights that peer around corners and a key that can warn if an intruder is hiding in the car by communicating with an onboard heartbeat sensor.

More advanced safety features, such as a blind-spot warning system, lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control with collision warning, are available as part of a $9500 Teknik Pack that also adds a reversing camera and satellite navigation. There's also a $4500 Travel Pack that adds heated rear seats and rear DVD screens.

Visually, the biggest change to the S80 is wider-spaced Volvo lettering across the boot, which is designed to reinforce the brand recognition and allow more freedom with the design of the car.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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