Volvo is launching a refreshed S80 with few design tweaks on the outside and new diesel engines to choose from.
Volvo’s design language has always been conservative from the outset. There are no radical ‘Bangle’ lines on the S80, it’s a mature design meant to appeal and last a little longer than forever. On the outside, the new S80 looks larger and elegant. The headlamps have been positioned a bit lower than the previous S80 and it gets new designed alloy wheels and chrome touches at the fog lamps, front air induction grille and under the rear tail lamps.
The bonnet's characteristic V-shaped lines are extended all the way down into the bumper, and the typical Volvo tail lamps have a slimmer profile that blends in smoothly with the broad shoulders. The new car has the same overall length as its predecessor (4850 mm), but is 27 mm broader and 34 mm taller. The wheelbase is longer and the track is wider.
The atmosphere inside is both more comfortable and luxurious, and the interiors now feel more driver-oriented, aided by a new steering wheel and upgraded instrument cluster.
The car gets soft, sumptuous leather seats with matched stitching accompanied by similar trimmed door panels. There are about 15 buttons more than one would ask for on the upgraded super-slim floating centre stack that now comes with a silk matte metal frame, similar to the one seen on the Volvo XC60. The metal effect can be found in the gear selector and around the starter button as well.
The refreshed Volvo S80 gets an entirely new twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel. The new D5 engine now produces 205bhp, 20bhp more than the older engine. The torque figures have increased as well with the new engine churning out 42.85kgm of torque as compared to 40.2kgm of the earlier engine.
There could also be another variant of the same engine, but in a different sate of tune. A medium performance engine will have a single-turbo version, fulfilling the Euro 4 norms. The engine will deliver 175bhp, while producing 42.85kgm of max torque. The turbocharger has been optimised for producing high torque at low revs. This engine also has better fuel efficiency.
The new S80, as the current model will come with Volvo’s Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept (four-C) suspension system. It has three modes to play with – Comfort, Sport and Advanced. The Comfort mode irons out the occasional road irregularity, the Sport mode stiffens the dampers, while Advanced mode stiffens them even further for those max-attack driving days.
With these changes, Volvo claims it has enhanced the driving experience of the S80 and states that the new car will be a true lifestyle product with a combination of world-leading safety and refreshed looks, making it very hard to beat.
