| High Performance Concept | Specialty Equipment Market Association Show | Volvo S80 HPC |
"We wanted to explore how far we could take a special high performance version of the S80..." says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President of Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars.
With this in mind, say hello to the latest Swedish product to have the Germanic tuner touch-up. Courtesy of Heico Sportiv, the S80 features a 350bhp T6 motor that has been modified to run E85 fuel (85 percent bio-ethanol, 15 percent petrol), which is becoming increasingly available across Europe.
The turbocharged motor produces maximum power at 5,500rpm, whilst an impressive 405lb.ft of torque is available between 1,500rpm and 4,000rpm. This translates into a 0-62mph time of 5.8 seconds, but Heico Sportiv President Holger Hedtke has hinted that the car may have even more power when it makes its debut at the SEMA show in Las Vegas on October 30th.
On the handling front, the modified S80 features new shocks and shorter, stiffened springs that have reduced the ride height by 40mm - promising to drastically improve body control and handling. Heico Sportiv has also fitted uprated six-pot sports brakes that slide neatly behind smart 10-spoke, 20-inch alloys surrounded by newly pressed bulging wheel arches.
Further separating the Heico S80 from the
standard car is a more aggressive restyling effort, including integrated front splitter flaps, which complement daytime running LED lights and a sportier grille. The rear features a new deck spoiler and stainless steel exhaust system. The whole car is finished in 'real metal' paint, which took two weeks and seven coats to get the desired effect!
Inside, the German tuner has created 'Mystic Blue' high quality leather trim for the front sports seats, individual rear bucket seats and dash. The seats themselves feature embossed Heico Sportiv logos, whilst the steering wheel and gear knob are also lavished in leather.
It's not clear what to expect from the S80 performance car, but Volvo is reported to be analysing demand for such a saloon. If there is sufficient interest, the Swedish firm could create its own interpretation in the near future.
Kyle Molyneux - 21 Sep 2007
