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Sweeter Swede. Image by Kyle Fortune.

Sweeter Swede
Volvo gives its S80 a mid-life refresh, though you might struggle to notice.

   



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Volvo's S80 is the Swedish firm's flagship saloon that's always appealed for its long-legged ability and excellent comfort. It's rather discreet too, the big Swede an inconspicuous way to drive or be driven about in luxurious surroundings. Around since 2006, the S80 has been in for a touch of nip and tuck, with a sharper new 'sport' chassis and some styling tweaks inside and out. Under the bonnet there's a new D5 turbodiesel unit too, Volvo admitting that the changes outwardly to the S80 might be slight, but overall they add up to a fairly comprehensive revamp.

In the Metal

For all but the most committed Volvo spotters the changes to the S80's exterior are likely to go unnoticed. There are new wheel designs, a larger 'iron' Volvo symbol on the front grille and prominent Volvo lettering stretched across the S80's bootlid. Along with some additional chrome highlights, that about sums up the S80's exterior changes. Not that there's really much wrong with that, the S80's shape always pleasing and relatively understated in its classiness. The changes do little to alter that, which is no bad thing really.

What you get for your Money

The S80 has always been a relatively good value proposition in the executive class. Volvo doesn't quite have the brand cachet of the German firms so the Swedes load it up with kit to make it more attractive. With its mid-life refresh Volvo has cut the line-up to a more manageable three models: SE, SE LUX and Executive. All but the Executive models get Volvo's new lowered 'dynamic' chassis, though if you prefer your Volvo saloon a bit more roly-poly then a 'comfort' option is available for no additional cost. SE cars come with all the safety kit you'd expect, along with a USB-enabled stereo, a powered driver's seat and 17-inch alloy wheels.

Go for SE LUX and your passenger can also move their seat with motors, those pews being leather covered too. Parking is made easier with rear sensors and you also get headlamps that see around corners. The Executive has the lot; if you can't find something on its equipment list then you really don't need it.

Driving it

Volvo is making a lot of noise about the new lowered dynamic chassis that comes with all but the Executive model. The lower stance undoubtedly adds to the S80's visual appeal, but the S80 is far from a sporting drive. There's next to no feel through the chunky steering wheel and the sporting chassis has trouble in controlling the S80's bulk. The ride is acceptable enough, but body roll is pretty pronounced in corners, the S80 feeling uncomfortable when hustled down a country road.

The D5 engine feels lusty enough at low revs though extend it and it soon runs out of pull. It's not as refined as some rivals' powerplants either, the five-cylinder unit sending vibrations through the S80's scuttle at idle. It's smooth and quiet on a cruise and the automatic shifts sweetly too, though there is some transmission shunt if you're not measured with your inputs at the throttle.

So it's not sporting, the S80 remaining the comfortable, friendly big cruiser it always was. Only now it sits on the road a little lower.

Worth Noting

You could be forgiven for not noticing, but the 2.4-litre D5 unit under the S80's bonnet is all-new. It's not the most refined turbodiesel, but it's clean and economical enough with CO2 emissions of 164g/km and an official combined fuel consumption figure of 45.6mpg. That's impressive enough for the class, but Mercedes has just announced the option of a four-cylinder turbodiesel in the new E-Class that matches the Volvo D5's power, betters it for torque and thumps its economy and emissions figures.

Summary

There's undoubtedly space for the S80 in the executive marketplace, but Volvo shouldn't be chasing the 'sporting' buyer with its big saloon. Instead Volvo needs to focus on the S80's other attributes, those being comfort, space, class and ease of use. Here the S80 delivers, the Swede a hugely comfortable environment to while away big mileages in, as it has always been.

Kyle Fortune - 20 Mar 2009



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2009 Volvo S80 specifications: (D5)
0-62mph: 9.5 seconds
Top speed: 133mph
Combined economy: 48.7mpg
Emissions: 154g/km
2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.2009 Volvo S80. Image by Alisdair Suttie.



2009 Volvo S80. Image by Kyle Fortune.
 

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Kyle Fortune.
 

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Kyle Fortune.
 

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Kyle Fortune.
 

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Kyle Fortune.
 

2009 Volvo S80. Image by Volvo.
 






 

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