V8-power is a feature of Volvo's new S80 range to be given a world debut at Geneva. The 315bhp engine will be mated to an AWD system to give rivals at Jaguar, Mercedes, Audi and BMW a real run for their money.

The S80 is the largest of Volvo’s S-range of saloons and this second generation S80 offers its own distinctive Scandinavian style, combined with excellent ride and handling characteristics benchmarked against the class leaders.

"We are convinced that the all new Volvo S80 will be a very strong contender in its class and win over many new customers considering the other popular premium brand rivals. We expect to sell 50,000 new S80s a year around the world, of which 70 per cent will be new Volvo customers," says Frederik Arp, Volvo Cars CEO. "The main markets for the all new S80 will be the USA, Germany, Spain, Sweden, UK and China," he continued.

"The all new S80 is about evolutionary design," says Steve Mattin, Volvo Cars design director. "All the shapes and materials it uses represent a continuous development of the Volvo design language. We have given the all new S80 a more youthful and dynamic stance, and created an even more inviting atmosphere by using refined materials and colours that blend smoothly with smart, user-friendly technology," he continued.

The two new engines available for the all new S80 will be Volvo’s V8 petrol engine, offering 315bhp and 440Nm of torque, which will be combined with AWD (All Wheel Drive) with Instant Traction™ for maximum traction. The second engine will be a completely new, naturally aspirated 3.2-litre six-cylinder unit delivering 235bhp with 300Nm of torque and like all Volvos will be fitted transversely to provide maximum space and improved crash performance with more space to absorb any impact.

In addition, two of Volvo’s five-cylinder engines will be carried over from the current S80 – the 200bhp 2.5T petrol unit with 320Nm of torque and the latest D5 (185bhp) turbo diesel with 400Nm of torque.

Inside the car, Volvo offers a distinctive blend of intelligent, elegant and unpretentious Scandinavian style with a slim 'floating' centre stack, luxury materials for upholsteries and a choice of inlays and colour schemes that blend smoothly together. Volvo’s Premium Sound audio system for the all new S80 will include 5x130W D-class digital ICE power amplifiers from Alpine, Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround Sound™ and Dynaudio speakers to create the finest, high quality audio system.

New safety technology for the all new S80 includes a unique Personal Car Communicator (PCC) and new active safety systems – Collision Warning and Brake Support – with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), active Bi-Xenon headlights and a patented body structure developed at the award winning Volvo Safety Centre.

Prices and specifications are to be announced in the spring. The new S80 is expected in UK showrooms in June/July 2006.

Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Volvo