Safety to the max

The new-look Volvo S80 is a challenge to the standard German powerhouses

Published on January 9, 2008

The Volvo S80’s appearance has been improved dramatically, with this new version looking more dynamic.

The luxury-car market has experienced a sharp downturn, plunging to fewer than 7,000 vehicles sold last year, but that has not stopped manufacturers from introducing new models.

Perhaps what they ought to be doing is launching new products capable of stimulating the market.

For Swedish auto-maker Volvo, the new S80 will be attracting customers and helping it through the slump.

Volvo is a company well-known for safety, and it has made sure that the new S80 is fitted with enough safety innovations to make it stand out from the crowd, for example a system that applies the brakes if the vehicle gets too close to the car in front.

Two petrol-engined models of the S80 have been introduced in Thailand: a 2.5 turbo, priced at Bt3.3 million, and a normally aspirated 3.2-litre model - which is featured in this report - priced at Bt4.7 million.

The Collision Warning with Brake Support (CWBS) system helps avoid rear-end impacts. It first alerts the driver with audible and visual signals and if the risk continues it activates the brake support system and applies the brakes.

There is also a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and an Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS), which Volvo says help the driver to maintain better control in traffic. BLIS will alert the driver with a visual signal if another vehicle is in the offset rear blind spot, while IDIS will avoid the driver being distracted in demanding conditions, for example by delaying incoming phone calls, or unnecessary vehicle messages (like the washer fluid needs refilling).

The Adaptive Cruise Control uses a radar sensor to help the driver to maintain the time or distance to the vehicle in front, and although it may seem to be simply a comfort function, it contributes to more controlled driving when the traffic rhythm is uneven. It can also cope with a vehicle cutting in front.

The Active Bi-Xenon Lights system features moving headlight beams that follow the curvature of the road and beams that change shape at different speeds to ensure the best possible visibility on all types of roads.

Another gimmick is the Personal Car Communicator (PCC), which the driver can carry in a pocket when away from the car. At the touch of a button, the owner can find out whether the car is locked or unlocked, whether the alarm has been activated, or even if there is an intruder inside the car - through a heartbeat sensor. These checks can be made from anywhere, as long as the PCC is within 60 to 100 metres of the parked car.

The S80 3.2 also comes with Volvo's Four-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) system, with which the chassis setting can be adjusted at the touch of a button to suit three different driving conditions: comfort, sport and advanced. A Dynamic Stability and Traction Control system is also offered as standard.

In terms of passive safety, the transversely mounted engine offers more deformation space in a collision, while other features include a Side Impact Protection System and a Whiplash Protection System. There are dual front air bags, side air bags and window bags, along with three-point inertia-reel seatbelts with pre-tensioners and head restraints for all five seats.

In terms of safety gadgetry, there's more than enough in the S80 to impress anyone looking for a really safe car, although I found the CWBS rather irritating. The audio warning is loud and it shocked me the first time it sounded ("What the hell was that?" I thought). After it happened three more times, whenever I got close to the vehicle in front, I simply turned it off. I also found the BLIS light quite distracting. These are systems that you really need time to get used to. Perhaps they aren't for serious drivers - just clumsy housewives, like those you see in television commercials.

What I liked most about the new S80 wasn't its safety innovations, but rather the improved looks. Compared to the old S80, which was quite dull to look at, the new model looks younger and sportier.

When it comes to the engine, it really rocks. The 24-valve in-line-six engine is mounted transversely - something you don't see very often. It is capable of pumping out 238 horsepower at 6,200rpm and 320Nm of torque at 3,200rpm. It's smooth-revving and has plenty of pulling power at low revs, allowing you to overtake without having to kick down. The engine is mated to a six-speed "Geartronic" automatic transmission, featuring a manual shift mode that is equally smooth.

Volvo says the S80 3.2 can accelerate from zero to 100kph in 7.9 seconds, reaching a top speed of 240kph. Fuel economy is also pretty good, averaging about 10 kilometres per litre.

The suspension - struts in front and multilink at the rear - is impressive and gives the S80 3.2 good road-holding ability (as mentioned earlier, there are three settings to choose from for various conditions). It is a pity, though, that the steering remains too light, even at high speeds, and as a result, you lose a lot of "feel" while driving the car.

The S80 has disc brakes all round with tons of systems controlling them. They are powerful and do their job nicely.

I loved the S80's clean, functional interior. The seats are also very comfortable. The car is loaded with comfort and convenience features, including automatic climate control (with rear air vents on the B-pillars), high-end audio system (MP3-compatible) with Dynaudio speakers, multifunctional steering wheel, powered front seats, leather upholstery, windshield and window sun blinds, 18-inch alloy wheels with low-profile 245/40 tyres, onboard computer, parking sensor - and the list goes on.

There's also a smart key system that unlocks the door automatically as you approach the car and allows you to start the engine via a start button without having to insert the key.

Finally, the S80 is capable of challenging German powerhouses like the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class, especially with its various safety features. But then one really has to be quite safety-minded to see the benefits of the features Volvo has put into the new S80.

A diesel version would also be ideal for fleet users, considering the price of petrol these days.

Specifications:

Volvo S80 3.2

Engine: Six-cylinder, 24-valve

Displacement: 3,192cc

Compression ratio: 10.8:1

Max power: 238hp at 6,200rpm

Max torque: 320Nm at 3,200rpm

Transmission: Six-speed automatic

0 to 100kph: 7.9 seconds

Top speed: 240kph

Fuel consumption (litres per 100km):

City, 15.6; highway, 7.2; combined, 10.3

Suspension (f/r): MacPherson spring strut/multilink

Brakes (f/r): Vented discs/vented discs

Steering: Speed-sensitive

rack-and-pinion

Minimum turn: 12.2 metres

Wheels: 18-inch alloys

Tyres: 245/40R18