Vehicle: 2010 Volvo S80 T6 AWD with Tech Package
Price as tested: CDN$65710
When the 2nd generation S80 launched back in 2007, we were criticized for its choice of the powertrains. While the base 3.2 liter I-6 is a better buy, it doesn’t have the performance needed in such a heavy car. The 4.4 liter V8 is just too rough and coarse, without the real performance one demands of a high-powered V8 luxury car. Then Volvo came out with a 3.0 liter in-line 6-cylinder turbo with 281 hp and 295 lb/ft of torque. While that won’t make the S80 beats class-leaders like the A6 and E-Class, it surely would make this flagship Volvo got the performance and refinement that it has always needed it.
For 2010, Volvo has given S80 a mid-cycle facelift. Exterior wise, its hard to find the difference between the original car. Its the interior that has given some nicer materials. Those seats are as ones expect from Volvo, simply superb. Although you won’t find the hard seats as in German rivals, those softer Swedish seats will always leave you cool and fresh after a long journey.
When it comes to ride and handling, the revision has given S80 some improvement. The ride quality is softer and more cushioned, on the other hand, the driving experience is more sure-footness. Although you won’t attack the corners as in the same manners as in the A6 3.0T Quattro, this S80 T6 AWD certainly lives up to the billing as a comfortable highway cruiser.
If you have got tired of all those German luxury sedans, S80 T6 is worth a look in the marketplace for a nice competent ride. It has all the active and passive safety features one expects from a Volvo. Plus it looks much better than the BMW 5-Series by a long shot.
Vehicle: Volvo S80 T6 AWD with Luxury and Security Pkgs
Price as tested: CDN$65305
Performance: When we first drove the 2nd generation S80 2 years ago, we were so disappointed that it got nomineed as our one of the most disappointing cars of the year. The 3.2 is underwhelming and V8 is simply unremarkable. Will the T6 change our mind on the S80?
This T6 is an all-new DOHC 3.0 liter straight-6 turbochaged engine, which come with all the variable valve timing technologies for intake and exhaust system. Simply put, this straight-6 is as good as anything else made by BMW, who simply makes the best straight-6 in the world. Its willing, smooth, powerful and willing to rev. This turbocharged engine has a maximum torque arrives as low as 1500rpm for 295 lb/ft, which is more than willing to move S80′s 4409 lb of heavy leather-lined luxury. On the other hand, 281 horses serve its mid-range and top end relatively well. This engine doesn’t have the dying feel of the less expensive 3.2 nor the unrefined experience of the more expensive V8. Swedish’s engineering prowess with their turbocharged technology really have spoken a lot for this S80. 6-speed Geartronic is the only transmission to go with the T6. The gear ratios are perfectly matched for S80′s cruising character. 5th and 6th gear ratios are impressively high for superb highway cruising. 1st and 2nd gears are low enough for peppy acceleration, also making it without all the turbo lag once associates with turbo engine. Combined all the merits of both T6 and Geartronic, you got a powertrain that both S80 and its wagon silibing, V70, have long for since day 1.
Handling: Along with giving S80 a much needed belly boost on performance, Volvo engineers have also given S80 some dynamic improvement to go with the engine. Both the suspension and chassis have been re-engineered for a more confidence driving experience. To begin with, Volvo’s 4C active chassis control has finally given on what its worth on the S80. Instead of riding roughly on “sport” setting or ride like a boat in “comfort” setting. They finally found a happy compromise. Although in “sport” setting, you still won’t treat T6 as a sports sedan due to its comfort-oriented chassis setting. It gives out appropriate steering and chassis response that won’t eat your heart out with decent ride quality. On the other hand, the “comfort” setting finally acts like it starts to realize what does comfort mean. Even if its not the most comfortable riding car in the world, it finally rides accordingly on rough surfaces and poor pavements. Steering feel and response are both acceptable if nothing outstanding. When pushed S80 into a corner, its very obvious this car is tuned for all-out comfort instead of handling. There are plenty of body rolls. Understeer tends to surface as it steps above the limit. While the Haldex AWD has worked exceptionally well with Volvo’s DSTC, the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control, always step in at an alarming rate. That’s fully justifiable as Volvo never expects anyone to push their flagship sedan like a Porsche, nor you should.
Brakes: With 4-wheel discs, standard ABS, brake assist and brake force distribution. S80′s braking performance is better than expected. The ABS won’t step in unnecessarily. While the pedal feel and modulation are solid and inspiring confidence without feeling dead in the pedal.
Interior: The T6 basically has all the items you expect to pay for a flagship Volvo at 65 grand. It all starts with Volvo’s hallmark leather seats, which are truly comfortable and supportive. Everything else from dual-zone climate control and power seats are all standard in the T6.
Conclusion: The T6 is an engine that S80 has always been cried out for since day 1. Its not only got enough power and refinement, its price is better proportioned than both 3.2 and V8 silibings. All of comments regarding T6 vs 3.2 also apply to V70 and XC70, BTW.
Vehicle: 2007 Volvo S80 V8 AWD with Luxury Pkg, Security Pkg, Premium sound system with 12 Dynoaudio speakers (aux input) and aluminum inlay
Price as tested: CDN$74110
Performance: This is the second application of V8 in Volvo vehicles. The first is the XC90 SUV, the S80 is the first Volvo passenger car to receive an V8 treatment. With 311 ponies and 325 lb/ft of torque, its certainly not the most powerful V8 in its class. Its neither the most refined and responsive V8 in the business neither. All of these areas have to take a backseat to Audi’s 4.2L FSI, BMW and Mercedes’s 5.5L V8. We found it a bit too rough and unrefined for 74k price tag. Its 6-speed Geartronic, however, is a good unit that provides ratio that is high enough for highway cruising and low enough to get this motor up to speed. Unfortunately, it still has the typical Volvo tendency of rubbish manumatic feel whenever the driver wants to shift him or herself.
Handling: Just like every Volvo has gone before, S80 has the benign driving feel and limits. One always feel safe behind the wheel of Volvo, thanks to its instrusive stability control and safety-over-eveything chassis tuning. S80 is no difference in this respect. The steering feedback is more than acceptable, as its precise enough to track path. However, the largest dynamic issue facing S80s of old still true today. On a tight 2-way street, S80 can’t do a proper lock-to-lock U-turn due to its ransversely- mounted engine layout. Although its not as obvious as the outgoing T6 FWD version, its still quite obvious on the V8 AWD. On the other hand, its Haldex AWD system matched up with the chassis really well. As it provides instant traction of maximium active safety, when mating to Volvo’s 4-C Active Chassis. With the setting to “sport”, we find the ride a bit rough and overdamping. Its better to set it to “comfort” consider S80 remains a comfort-over-sport luxury sedan. Even with “comfort” over washboard pavement, its ride quality still feels choppy.
Brakes: Depsite of my criticisms of S80′s dynamics, braking remains Volvo’s strong suit. Consider our S80′s close to 1800kg, its stopping distance is surprisingly short. With the help of brake assist, brake force distribution and ABS; it has a decent brake feel and modulation. In a nutshell, everything else feel Volvo-safe.
Interior: Along with Volvo’s usual goodies, the aluminum inlays in our S80 have been very well polished. Its a nice breakthrough from the wood-trim norm in this segment. In terms of plastic and leather materials, this has to be Volvo’s best interior ever. Soft plastic abound with leather-wrapped at the right places. The leather sports seats are as comfortable as any Volvo seats have gone before, although it doesn’t hug you as tightly as seats in its peers.
There are plenty of legroom for rear passengers, however, headroom has been compromised thanks to that sloppy C-pillars.
As with recent Volvos, the cargo opening is swallow with weird cut-off due to its new bold rear tailights. Other than beward of hitting the head due to low trunk, one also has to reach far to get anything out.
Conclusion: Even though the original S80 was a runaway success to bring Volvo upmarket, its execution had a-lot-to-be-desired. Volvo has addressed most issues with the latest version of the S80. It has much better interior craftsmanship, it handles better and, with the optional V8, Volvo finally has the bragging right to challenge the German titans. Here is the catch. With the underwhelming performance of this V8 and price difference vs 3.2 V6. Except you really have to tell your neighbor “I brought the first V8 Volvo passenger car!”, go with the straight-6. Because you know this V8 doesn’t worth the price premium, both in driver and consumer’s perspectives.