The problem with the old Volvo S80 was that... it had problems. For the first two years after its 1999 introduction, some owners complained the software in the car would send false codes, driving them nuts. Also, the transmissions attached to the six-cylinder engines had similar problems with self-actualization. Volvo addressed most of those issues early on, but bad first impressions have a way of lingering, so Volvo really addresses these woes with the 2007 S80.
“We instituted a six sigma system,” said S80 project leader Silvia Güllsdorf, referring to a popular systematic approach to fixing manufacturing defects that is supposed to limit defects to 3.4 per million opportunities. “We put very much effort into software assurance.”
Well, it worked. We got nowhere near 3.4 defects, in fact, we had 0.0 defects on our long day’s drive in southern Sweden. Ah, southern Sweden in the waning days of winter—flat farm roads, red or yellow farmhouses (no other colors allowed, seems like) and dreary, drizzling rain. If we were cooped up here all winter, we would institute a six sigma plan, too.
Volvo did a lot more than that, though. Volvo says the S80 is “all-new,” perched in the luxury-sedan market as a simpler, more cost-effective alternative to stalwarts like the Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series.
While there are adjustments galore—including three settings for steering effort and three settings for ride—the S80 does not have iDrive or even an Audi-like MMI. Volvo says the S80 is about “Scandinavian luxury.” That’s what you are supposed to notice about Volvos: They are simple and efficient, as opposed to cars whose systems drive you crazy even when they’re working.
Consider the center console of the S80; it is the epitome of simple, all kept together on one fold of instrument panel that leans up against the console like a spiral binder. It is so simple that you might not notice how much so until someone points it out to you, or unless you spent a lot of time in an iDriven 5 Series. It made our dreary day in this part of Sweden less dreary.
The rest of the car helped, too.
“The old one felt a little bit heavy, a little bit big,” said Güllsdorf. “So we made this one more compact, more agile.”
Güllsdorf is talking stance and feel, since the overall length is the same as the old S80 at 191 inches. The new car is a bit wider and taller, with a wider track and longer wheelbase. The look is not radically different from the old one, either, but then the Swedes aren’t generally radical about too many things.
The big news is under that barely new hood. The S80 now gets a proper V8 to compete with the Bimmers and Benzes of the world. This is the same 4.4-liter 315-hp Yamaha-designed and built unit found in the bigger, heavier XC90. It sits transversely up front and drives all four wheels through a six-speed automatic.
This is the face of Scandinavian luxury, inviting no doubt, though we can’t say for sure that’s a Scandinavian profile pictured on the center stack. At any rate, there’s no need to worry about alien invasion. If a bad guy is hiding in the back waiting to steal your car and take your money, the S80 will warn you.
The other engine is a larger version of the old straight-six, this one 3.2 liters in displacement as opposed to the old 2.9. It makes 238 hp hooked up to a six-speed automatic, and is available with front- or all-wheel drive.
These powerplants feel merely good compared to the competition, perhaps more torque-happy than power-happy.
Now this wouldn’t be a Volvo article unless we hit on safety. The S80 gets adaptive cruise control (several years after the competition), more advanced head restraints and new side-impact airbags. Of course the rest of the airbags, dynamic stability and traction control systems carry over, along with all the other Volvo safety stuff.
One new feature for those scared of going outside at all is called the Personal Car Communicator. It’s a key fob that not only tells you if your doors are locked but can detect the heartbeat of the murderer hiding in the back seat (remember, just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they’re not trying to kill you).
But if you are doomed, chances are you won’t meet your end in a Volvo. In fact, this new S80 just might give you reason to go on living, even in a Swedish winter.
The S80, on sale now in Europe, won’t arrive here until February. Prices will be announced then.
Mark Vaughn - After slumming in Europe five years covering F1 etc. Mark Vaughn interviewed with Autoweek at the 1989 Frankfurt motor show has been with us ever since because no one else will take him. Anyone? See more by this author»
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