Volvo S80 V8 3/5

The Age

Saturday September 13, 2008

Bruce Newton

There is a really good car in here somewhere that is trying to get out, writes Bruce Newton.

VOLVO has been working hard with moderate success to shake its dull but worthy image. The second-generation S80 should help; after all, the version we're testing here includes a throaty 4.4-litre V8 engine, all-wheel-drive and an electronically adjustable chassis.

Adding further spice, our test car came equipped with new driver alert and lane departure warning systems that are available from October.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

The S80 V8 is the flagship of a three-model range that includes cheaper six-cylinder petrol and five-cylinder turbo-diesel models. Priced at $95,950, it drastically undercuts luxury V8 rivals from Germany and the Lexus GS460 by tens of thousands of dollars.

If you want a Benz or BMW for this sort of money then you'll have to make do with a six. Other possibles? Perhaps Saab's 9-3 Turbo X or Holden's value-laden Calais V V8.

The S80's equipment level is good, including a plush leather trim, dual climate control, heated and powered front seats, a premium sound system with six-CD audio including auxilliary input, bi-xenon headlights and gleaming 18-inch alloy wheels.

Disappointments? The spare tyre is a space saver, satellite navigation is a $3950 option and 12 of 14 colour choices are metallic, costing an additional $1350.

HOW SAFE?

There is no NCAP crash test rating, but the S80 does get front, side and curtain airbags, traction and stability control, ABS, five lap-sash seatbelts and adjustable headrests. But of more interest are two new electronic monitors that are being packaged together in an option worth about $2000.

Driver Alert Control tracks vehicle movement between lane markings via a camera and sensors and warns the driver audibly if it thinks the course is getting erratic. An image of a coffee cup and the instruction to "take a break" also flash in the car's information display. If the car does move out of its lane without indicating, then a Lane Departure Warning activates, also issuing an audible warning. The test car was also fitted with the BLIS blindspot warning system ($1200) and active cruise control ($3950).

Did it all work? Well, earnest attempts to drive erratically failed to activate the alert control and the lane warning got switched off most of the time because of its propensity to sound the alarm somewhat over-sensitively. That can be dialled back, but both systems are definitely best suited to long, boring freeway runs where drowsiness is a common problem.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

Complementing its handsome exterior, the S80's interior is a simple and elegant place.

There's a lovely sweep to the dash, a soothing combination of colours and an intuitive logic to the controls. The S80 employs Volvo's floating centre stack and while it remains mildly pointless it is aesthetically pleasing. But its storage tray is so shallow that a mobile phone will slide straight out and on to the floor at the first corner.

The driver gets a well-sized steering wheel that adjusts through reach and rake. The front seats are large, plush and perforated, albeit lacking in any significant support.

Access to the rear is quite tight and the space is not especially good. The transmission tunnel required for the all-wheel-drive system hurts centre-rear-seat passengers.

The boot is deep and swallows a sizeable 480 litres. That can be expanded significantly by the split-folding rear seat.

UNDER THE BONNET

The Yamaha-developed narrow-angle V8 sits across the engine bay, meaning drive has to be turned through 90 degrees to power the wheels via an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch.

The AWD system is on demand, so up to 95% of power can drive the front wheels. When slip is anticipated, drive can split 50:50 between the front and rear wheels.

The engine emits a most unVolvo-like bellow when ignited, prompting glances from startled passers-by.

Producing 232 kW at 5950 rpm and a strong 440 Nm at 3950 rpm, this engine loves it when the revs kick in. Drive more sedately around town and the six-speed auto is competent at picking the right gear at the right time.

A claimed 0-100km/h acceleration figure of 6.5seconds seemed a mite optimistic, as does the official 11.9L/100km (284g CO2 emissions per kilometre) fuel use. We managed 13.2L/100km (314g/km).

ON THE ROAD

As well as AWD, the S80's dynamics are managed by the Four-C adaptive suspension, three-mode adjustable steering, wider tracks and a longer wheelbase all underpinned by a new architecture.

But the truth is the S80 is nothing special to drive or ride in. The greatest concern is the terrible bangs that shudder through the car when sharp-edged potholes or bumps are encountered. Low-profile rubber doesn't help here. Overall ride comfort and noise minimisation is closer to the mark, but Benz in particular does a significantly better job.

VERDICT

There is a really good car somewhere in here trying to get out. After some more refining, maybe we will see it. The primary issue is the coarseness of its behaviour over holes and bumps, something simply not acceptable in a $96,000 car.

There is so much else to like, including good looks, a character-filled V8 and an interior that ranks among the most relaxing.

HOW MUCH: From $95,950.

ENGINE: 4.4-litre V8 232kW/440Nm; 11.9L/100km; 284g CO2/km.

WHAT IT'S GOT: Front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, leather trim, dual climate control, bi-xenon headlights, electronic parking brake, trip computer, premium six-CD audio with aux input, alloy wheels, fog lights.

FOR: Brilliant interior style and atmosphere, good looks, enjoyable V8 engine, pricing undercuts other Euro V8s by miles.

AGAINST: Crashes and bangs over sharp edges, ride no better than average on any surface, handling and steering miles off Germans, not that much room in the back seat.

THE COMPETITORS

HOLDEN CALAIS V V8

HOW MUCH: From $59,490.

ENGINE: 6.0-litre V8; 270kW/530Nm; 14.3L/100km; 340g CO2/km.

SAFETY: Four-star crash rating, front, side and curtain airbags, traction and stability control, ABS.

WHAT IT'S GOT: Dual-zone climate control, leather trim, alloy wheels, front and rear parking sensors, powered front seats, six-CD audio, fog lights, cruise control, trip computer, Bluetooth, rear-seat DVD player.

FOR: Great engine, comfort, style, equipment and value.

AGAINST: Fuel consumption a concern, brake feel lacking, transmission gremlins, space-saver spare.

SCORE 4/5

SAAB 9-3 TURBO X

HOW MUCH: From $88,800.

ENGINE: 2.8-litre V6 turbo, 206kW/400Nm; 10.9L/100km/261g CO2/km (m), 11.6L/100km; 276g CO2/km.

SAFETY: Five-star crash rating, front, side and curtain airbags, stability and traction control, ABS with EBD and brake assist.

WHAT IT'S GOT: Leather trim, climate control, powered and heated front seats, alloy wheels, bi-xenon headlights, remote central locking, cruise control, chillable glovebox, power windows, rain-sensing wipers, six-CD audio, Bluetooth integration, fog lights.

FOR: All-wheel-drive system brings a fundamental improvement to 9-3 drive behaviour.

AGAINST: Expensive, under-equipped, lacks the sporting intensity to justify hard ride and high noise levels.

OUR SCORE: 3/5

BMW 525i

HOW MUCH: From $96,910.

ENGINE: 2.5-litre, six-cylinder; 160kW/270Nm; 9.4L/100km; 227g CO2/km.

SAFETY: Four-star crash rating, front, side and curtain airbags, traction and stability control, ABS with EBD, active front head restraints, tyre-pressure monitoring.

WHAT IT'S GOT: Leather trim, climate control, cruise control, Datadot security, alloy wheels, fog lights, remote central locking, satellite-navigation, Bluetooth, six-CD audio with USB and aux input, trip computer, partially powered front seats.

FOR: Good ride and handling balance, small engine with big heart.

AGAINST: Cabin quality uneven, iDrive annoying.

OUR SCORE: 4/5

© 2008 The Age

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