What is it?
2007 Volvo S80
What's special about it?
Stefan Jansson, exterior designer of the 2007 S80, is Swedish, but four years of working in Los Angeles taught him a few things about American tastes. "I learned a lot about what works, and even more about what doesn't," he told us. "There are many preconceived notions about what Americans like, and many of them aren't true. They don't always want 'American styling.' More often what they want is a car that definitely looks European," he explained.
Stefan's insight was important, as Volvo anticipates that 45 percent of all S80s will be sold in the U.S. One look at his design and it's clear he didn't stray too far from Volvo's traditional design elements. The new S80's dimensions are similar to the old model with a slight increase in height and width, and no change in length. That leaves it about the size of a BMW 5 Series.
The overall look is Volvo from top to bottom. It has the egg-crate grille and prominent shoulders in back. Look closer, however, and there are some interesting new details worth noting. Up front, the S80 uses the airdam originally fitted to the high-performance S60R model. It's deeper and flatter on the bottom with three air intakes instead of one. The hood has small creases which create a subtle power dome that lines up nicely with the larger grille. In back, the LED taillights not only wrap further around the corners, they feature diffusers that spread the light evenly throughout the lens.
Another of Jansson's West Coast observations was Americans' taste for chrome. "At first I didn't like it at all, but then I started noticing how it looks when a car is moving on the road and began to appreciate it more and more," Stefan told us. He wasn't about to light up the front end of the S80 with the stuff, but he did get chrome wheels added to the factory accessory list — a first for Volvo.
There's another Volvo first under the hood. This S80 will be the first Volvo sedan to offer V8 power. It's the same 4.4-liter eight-cylinder used in the XC90, and it's paired with all-wheel drive. Although the engine produces a healthy 311 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque, Volvo says it's one of the cleanest-burning V8s on the market. An all-new 3.2-liter inline six slots below the V8. It offers 235 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with either front- or all-wheel drive. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.
Riding on an all-new chassis, the S80 continues to ride on Volvo's Four-C adjustable suspension system, which now features three driver-selectable settings for varying road conditions. Speed-sensitive steering is optional as well, while traction and stability control are standard on all models.
Although this car isn't any longer than its predecessor, it manages to offer slightly more front and rear legroom. You can get ventilated leather up front for hot weather or three-stage heaters front and back for battling the cold. Volvo went out of its way to promote the optional Dolby Pro Logic II audio system. With a dozen Dynaudio speakers and 650 watts of power, it should be plenty loud for the Volvo set.
It goes without saying that the S80 has all the latest safety features, but there are a couple new technologies worth noting. One is called Collision Warning with Brake Support. This system monitors the S80's distance from the car ahead, and if the Volvo gets too close, too fast, it warns the driver audibly and visually. Get any closer without reacting and the system will prep the brake pads against the discs to improve the response of the brakes once the driver does hit the pedal.
The second safety system worth mentioning is a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). This feature uses cameras on the side mirrors to watch your blind spots for you. If a car enters the space, BLIS warns the driver with an audible signal. It probably works fine, but so does adjusting your mirrors a little wider.
What's Edmunds' take?
The new look isn't going to generate much controversy, but it won't turn many off either. From certain angles this S80 looks like the previous-generation BMW 5 Series, and that's a compliment. Throw in the good-looking, high-tech interior and Volvo might actually register in the midsize luxury segment after years of near invisibility. — Ed Hellwig
2007 Volvo S80
What's special about it?
Stefan Jansson, exterior designer of the 2007 S80, is Swedish, but four years of working in Los Angeles taught him a few things about American tastes. "I learned a lot about what works, and even more about what doesn't," he told us. "There are many preconceived notions about what Americans like, and many of them aren't true. They don't always want 'American styling.' More often what they want is a car that definitely looks European," he explained.
Stefan's insight was important, as Volvo anticipates that 45 percent of all S80s will be sold in the U.S. One look at his design and it's clear he didn't stray too far from Volvo's traditional design elements. The new S80's dimensions are similar to the old model with a slight increase in height and width, and no change in length. That leaves it about the size of a BMW 5 Series.
The overall look is Volvo from top to bottom. It has the egg-crate grille and prominent shoulders in back. Look closer, however, and there are some interesting new details worth noting. Up front, the S80 uses the airdam originally fitted to the high-performance S60R model. It's deeper and flatter on the bottom with three air intakes instead of one. The hood has small creases which create a subtle power dome that lines up nicely with the larger grille. In back, the LED taillights not only wrap further around the corners, they feature diffusers that spread the light evenly throughout the lens.
Another of Jansson's West Coast observations was Americans' taste for chrome. "At first I didn't like it at all, but then I started noticing how it looks when a car is moving on the road and began to appreciate it more and more," Stefan told us. He wasn't about to light up the front end of the S80 with the stuff, but he did get chrome wheels added to the factory accessory list — a first for Volvo.
There's another Volvo first under the hood. This S80 will be the first Volvo sedan to offer V8 power. It's the same 4.4-liter eight-cylinder used in the XC90, and it's paired with all-wheel drive. Although the engine produces a healthy 311 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque, Volvo says it's one of the cleanest-burning V8s on the market. An all-new 3.2-liter inline six slots below the V8. It offers 235 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque with either front- or all-wheel drive. Both engines use a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.
Riding on an all-new chassis, the S80 continues to ride on Volvo's Four-C adjustable suspension system, which now features three driver-selectable settings for varying road conditions. Speed-sensitive steering is optional as well, while traction and stability control are standard on all models.
Although this car isn't any longer than its predecessor, it manages to offer slightly more front and rear legroom. You can get ventilated leather up front for hot weather or three-stage heaters front and back for battling the cold. Volvo went out of its way to promote the optional Dolby Pro Logic II audio system. With a dozen Dynaudio speakers and 650 watts of power, it should be plenty loud for the Volvo set.
It goes without saying that the S80 has all the latest safety features, but there are a couple new technologies worth noting. One is called Collision Warning with Brake Support. This system monitors the S80's distance from the car ahead, and if the Volvo gets too close, too fast, it warns the driver audibly and visually. Get any closer without reacting and the system will prep the brake pads against the discs to improve the response of the brakes once the driver does hit the pedal.
The second safety system worth mentioning is a Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). This feature uses cameras on the side mirrors to watch your blind spots for you. If a car enters the space, BLIS warns the driver with an audible signal. It probably works fine, but so does adjusting your mirrors a little wider.
What's Edmunds' take?
The new look isn't going to generate much controversy, but it won't turn many off either. From certain angles this S80 looks like the previous-generation BMW 5 Series, and that's a compliment. Throw in the good-looking, high-tech interior and Volvo might actually register in the midsize luxury segment after years of near invisibility. — Ed Hellwig
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