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All new Volvo S80. UK Overview

28 February 2006

Following the all new Volvo S80's world debut at the Geneva motor show today (28 February), Volvo has revealed further details of the second generation of its large executive saloon.

OVERVIEW
The all new S80 is a luxury car with an elegant and dynamic profile with a strong modern Scandinavian design influence to make it stand out in the competitive luxury saloon class.

It replaces the first generation S80 which successfully launched a new design direction for Volvo in 1998 and now evolves this for a new era of distinctive Scandinavian luxury and style.

The new S80, built at the Volvo Torlsanda plant in Gothenburg, Sweden, is the largest of Volvo's S-range of saloons and this second generation model offers a competitive alternative to its popular German luxury saloon rivals by offering its own distinctive Scandinavian style combined with ride and handling characteristics developed specifically for UK roads and benchmarked against its 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.

EXTERIOR DESIGN – a more dynamic stance
The all new S80 is an entirely new car featuring a new dynamic evolution of Volvo exterior design. It has more sweeping lines and elegance than its predecessor with a more tapered shape and a slimmer appearance thanks to features including chrome trim framing the side windows. Although the same total length as the first generation S80, it is 27mm wider and 34mm taller with a longer wheelbase and wider track which gives it a more imposing stance and greater presence on the road.

"Our design goal for the all new Volvo S80 was for it to be instantly recognisable as a Volvo and express elegance, alertness and smooth movement," says Steve Mattin, Vice President Product Design at Volvo Car Corporation. "We aimed to achieve this with more rounded shapes, higher haunches and more sweeping lines," he continued.

Like all the latest, modern Volvo designs, the all new S80 features pronounced curvature at the front corners to create a compact and dynamic impression as well as reducing the risk of injuries to pedestrians. For the all new S80, the entire front is gently rounded without any pronounced edges, with headlamps set lower than the previous S80 and follow the curvature of the front to look "a bit like a smile," says Steve Mattin. "It helps give the car a more positive expression," he continued.

Volvo's trademark V-shaped bonnet extends lower while the shapely rear tail lamps have been refined to create a lower profile and fitted with LED lamps at the top of the units to make it easy to identify the all new Volvo S80 from behind, even in the dark.

The doors are also more rounded with a more powerful convex profile, instead of the previous concave design, plus the sills are more pronounced, which visually lowers the car to give it a stable, more-assured stance.

LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN

• World first: Clean Zone Interior Package
• Slim centre console with i-Pod connection

The all new Volvo S80's 'Scandinavian Luxury' differs from the traditional or Teutonic treatment offered by many of its other premium brand rivals. Instead, Volvo's 'Scandinavian Luxury' radiates a simpler, more considered and harmonious modern feel combining aesthetics and technology in an inviting and intelligent way.

As a result of Volvo's focus on quality and environmental issues, the all new S80 offers a world first: a Clean Zone Interior Package – a development of Volvo's existing ECC (Electronic Climate Control) and IAQS (Interior Air Quality System) – that provides air that has been approved by the Swedish Asthma and Allergy Association for the increasing number of people who suffer from various forms of sensitivity.

Another star feature of the interior is the modern, ultra-slim centre console similar to the revolutionary design introduced in its compact S40 saloon sibling. Volvo has tailored the console to suit the new S80's exclusive interior design. It stretches back to the rear seat and hosts a number of smart functions for storing and connecting accessories such as an i-Pod.

QUALITY AND EQUIPMENT

• World-class audio system with Dynaudio^® speakers
• Bluetooth^® hands-free function
• Comfort: Ventilated front seats; heated rear seats
• Executive model upgraded
• New electronic parking brake

World-class audio system
Volvo's awesome Premium Sound has been developed to take the audio experience in the all new S80 to new levels with one of the best in-car audio systems in the world. The system uses the latest DSP (Digital Signal Processing) technology to fine-tune and tailor the audio reproduction to suit the shape of the passenger compartment and the location of the loudspeakers. As a result, the Premium Sound system includes a digital Class D amplifier from Alpine using Bang & Olufsen powerhouse ICEPower^® technology with a 5.1 channel Dolby^® Pro Logic II Surround Sound system and 12 professional quality speakers^² from Dynaudio^® to provide a clear and powerful sound across the music range.

In order to provide the best possible individual sound experience, the car's information menu provides a new adjustment option to optimise the audio experience in one of three ways – for the driver, both front seats, or for the rear seats. The volume and tone of the music are automatically adjusted to match the car's speed and this can also be customised to allow the driver to choose between low, medium and high response to road speed.

MP3 or WMA format CDs can be enjoyed in the new S80's Premium Sound and High Performance audio systems, while every model has an input (AUX) connection for additional equipment such as an i-Pod or MP3 player which can be played through the car's audio system.

Radio fans will also enjoy the enhanced FM reception quality as the FM radio has no less than three aerials that use a Scanning Diversity system to provide the best possible reception.

Comfort and convenience
Volvo's excellent reputation for seat comfort will be enhanced for the all new S80 thanks to additional legroom in the front and rear and the option of ventilated leather upholstery with fans in the seat cushion and backrest for maximum cooling on hot days. For colder times of the year, heated rear seats are now available, while the heating for the front seats can now be adjusted to three temperature settings.

New comfort and convenience settings can be personalised to pamper drivers of the new S80, and even customise the way the car drives, including the automatic start of the heated rear window if the temperature drops below a certain level and speed-dependent power steering with a choice of three different assistance levels, selected via the car's information system.

Volvo's satellite navigation system has also been refined and improved for the new S80 with a wider range of maps and new countries with all the latest roads, restaurants and hotels. A new processor makes the system work faster, plus it now provides useful information when driving abroad such as the speed limits and the national flag of the country which appear on the screen whenever a national border is crossed.

Bluetooth^®
For improved convenience and safety, the new S80 has a new wireless Bluetooth^® system that detects the driver's mobile phone (once registered) and enables it to be used through the car's loudspeakers without switching or using multiple SIM cards. After Bluetooth has been activated, the car's phone module detects and registers the mobile phone and automatically links it to the car's own system with caller information displayed on the car's information panel and the audio system is automatically muted if there is an incoming call. Several phones can easily be linked to the same network so that everyone in the car can use their mobile phones through the system.

Luxury specifications:
The all new Volvo S80 introduces new trim levels and luxury, plus an upgraded Executive model.

Volvo has given the range-topping Executive model its extra-special attention to enhance its interior to offer a tempting taste of Scandinavian luxury and style in the prestigious, top-end of the luxury saloon market. Ergonomic seats and elegant door panels in exclusive soft Executive leather are available with four unique colour combinations, plus there are the options of a fridge in the rear seat with space for glasses and an advanced entertainment system for rear passengers with integrated DVD player and seven inch screens built into the rear of the front head restraints. Externally the Executive model is discreetly distinguished by uniquely coloured grille and chrome sections on the front air intakes and around the fog lights, plus the option of 18 inch Balius alloy wheels.

Power parking brake
All right hand drive versions of the new S80 have a new, intelligent electronically operated parking brake – Power Parking Brake – which for maximum ease and convenience can be set to automatically release as the car starts to move.

DRIVING DYNAMICS

• Advanced body structure with exceptional torsional rigidity
• 'Four-C' active chassis available with three suspension settings
• All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction^TM
• Adjustable power steering with three settings
• All new multi-link rear suspension and MacPherson strut front suspension

The driving experience of the all new Volvo S80 has been enhanced following extensive evaluation on UK roads and benchmarking against the class-leading German premium brand rivals. High torsional rigidity and optional Four-C active chassis with three alternative chassis settings allow the driver to alter the car's personality to suit their individual tastes and contribute to the excellent driving dynamics.

Four-C Active Chassis – with three settings
Volvo's Four-C Active Chassis has been developed for the all new S80 and is now available with three suspension settings – Comfort, Sport and Advanced.

The Four-C system is an advanced self-adjusting chassis system that uses a number of sensors to continuously monitor the car's behaviour and can adjust the damper and chassis settings to suit the current driving situation in a fraction of a second. This helps to control the car at all speeds and reduces any tendency to squat, dip or roll under acceleration, hard braking or fast steering manoeuvres.

All Wheel Drive
The new V8 engine in the new S80 will be available with All Wheel Drive (AWD) with Instant Traction^TM which distributes the power between the front and rear wheels at lightning speeds to ensure optimal roadholding at all times.

Adjustable power steering
New speed dependent power steering, with a choice of three levels of assistance, is optional for the new S80 – and standard on V8 models. As its name suggests, the system provides more assistance at lower speeds to make driving easier in town or when parking, but less assistance at higher speeds, disappearing entirely at higher cruising speeds. It is also possible for the driver to select one of three levels of assistance via the car's new information menu system.

Responsive Suspension
The all new suspension system for the new S80 is designed to optimise handling and ride while providing driver feedback on changing road surfaces and conditions. Key components include:

• MacPherson front suspension with new L-shaped link arm delivering a more dynamic ride and improved steering feel
• Multi-link rear suspension counteracts any tendency to understeer and reduces noise and vibration, plus substantially improves stability
• DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) standard on all models

The new S80 has been extensively developed and tuned on UK roads.

ENGINES

• New: 4.4-litre V8 petrol engine with 315 PS: the world's most compact V8
• New: 3.2-litre in-line 6-cylinder 238 PS petrol engine: built at Bridgend engine plant in Wales
• 2.5T five-cylinder petrol engine
• D5 (185 PS) and 2.4D (163 PS) turbodiesel engines

New: 4.4-litre V8
The all new S80 is the first Volvo saloon to be offered with a V8 petrol engine. The 4.4-litre aluminium petrol engine provides 315 PS of power and 440 Nm of torque in a unique design with a slim 60-degree angle between the cylinder banks to make it an extremely compact V8 unit, fitted transversely to maximise the space available for crash protection.

A counter-rotating balancer shaft contributes the engine's V8 sound and steady rhythm, and a massive 370 Nm of the torque available from 2,000 rpm, combined with All Wheel Drive make the new S80 a pleasure to drive.

"With a powerful V8 engine in the new S80, we can reach out to the most discerning customers in the prestige executive car sector," says Derek Crabb, Vice President of Powertrains at Volvo Car Corporation.

The new V8 engine is one of the cleanest V8 engines available, with no less than four catalytic converters and an advanced engine management system to ensure the filtration process starts quickly and reduces exhaust emissions. It is Euro IV compliant and equipped with a variable camshaft timing as well as variable intake system to improve fuel economy.

New: 3.2-litre six-cylinder – built in Wales
Volvo is launching an entirely new highly efficient 3.2-litre, six cylinder, in-line petrol engine for the all new S80. Designed by Volvo engineers in Sweden and built at the Bridgend engine plant in Wales, like all Volvos, the new engine will be fitted transversely to optimise the space available for crash protection/deformation and reduce the risk of any intrusion into the passenger compartment in a collision.

With 238 PS and 320 Nm of torque, the new engine is more powerful yet more compact than the 2.9-litre unit it replaces. In fact, it is only three millimetres longer than Volvo's five-cylinder engine. It features an advanced valvetrain (featuring Variable Cam timing and Cam Profile Switching) and variable intake system to provide strong performance and high fuel efficiency.

"The new six-cylinder engine offers a premium experience in every respect," comments Volvo's Vice President of Powertrains, Derek Crabb. "This applies to its performance and fuel efficiency, as well as its driving comfort and the sound of the engine. The fact that the engine's design also helps enhance safety isn't something many customers probably think about, but it is naturally a key element in Volvo's product development," he continued.

Like the V8 engine, the six-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed Geartronic transmission – which also allows the driver to select gears manually.

2.5T light-pressure turbo petrol engine
Volvo's five-cylinder light-pressure turbo engine with 200 PS and 300 Nm of torque continues for the all new S80. The turbocharger unit is integrated into the exhaust manifold to give the engine a compact design.

D5 and 2.4D turbodiesel engines
Two versions of Volvo's 2.4-litre, five-cylinder turbodiesel engine will be available for the all new S80 – the D5 and 2.4D.

The new generation Volvo diesel engine was extensively improved and refined last year with a new electronically controlled turbocharger, refined multi-throttle injection technology and a powerful engine management system to provide higher performance, improved drivability and a sharp reduction in emissions.

The D5 provides 185 PS of power with a massive 400 Nm of torque, while the 2.4D version provides 163 PS and 340 Nm of torque.

SAFETY

• Personal Car Communicator (PCC): world first with a heartbeat sensor
• Advanced safety design: patented front structure with high energy absorption
• Improved side impact airbags with separate chest and hip chambers
• New generation WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System)
• Pedestrian protection
• New Collision Warning and Brake Support systems
• Advanced braking functions: HBA, OHB, RAB, FBS
• BLIS and IDIS driver support systems

The best way to protect the car's occupants is to avoid accidents, so the all new S80 is designed to be one of the safest cars in its class with a sophisticated network of interacting safety systems. It is equipped with the latest generation of Volvo safety systems and technological innovations – some of which were previewed on recent Volvo concept cars – to help contribute to safer driving and improved personal safety.

As well as Volvo's BLIS⁴ (Blind Spot Information System) and IDIS⁵ (Intelligent Driver Information System), new features include Active Bi-Xenon headlights to help give the driver a better view of the road ahead at night, while a new Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) has a radar sensor to continuously measure and maintain a safe distance from the car in front by automatically adjusting the car's speed.

Naturally, the all new Volvo S80 incorporates a host of other Volvo safety solutions, such as a collapsible steering wheel which deforms horizontally for best possible interaction with the airbag, seatbelt reminders for all five seats, SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) with reinforced and rigid SIPS pipes between the A-pillars and in the seats with a deformable steel box in the centre of the car, plus diagonally mounted crossmembers made of Ultra High Strength steel in the doors.

Deformation Zones
The all new Volvo S80 is designed with an advanced body structure to provide high levels of protection in all types of accident situations. Its patented front structure is divided into different deformation zones using four different grades of steel: conventional bodywork steel, High Strength steel, Extra High Strength steel and Ultra High Strength steel.

Low-speed deformation zone: A rigid crossmember behind the front bumper uses Ultra High Strength and the attachments to the body's longitudinal members are designed in the form of 'crash boxes' which help absorb forces in low-speed collisions without damaging other parts of the body structure.

High-speed deformation zone: This zone absorbs the most deformation and includes the longitudinal members made of high strength steel which is optimised for high energy absorption.

Back-up zone: A very rigid section of Extra High Strength steel to protect the passenger compartment.

Three-way attachment: A side member links the A-pillars and lower side members to form an extremely rigid three-way attachment on each side to protect the passenger compartment.

Improved side impact airbags
A new type of side airbag with two separate chambers – one for the chest and another for the hips – makes Volvo's patented SIPS (Side Impact Protection System), even more effective.

As the hips can withstand greater forces than the chest, the side airbag's lower chamber inflates to five times the pressure of the upper chamber for the chest. The side airbags operate in conjunction with the IC (Inflatable Curtain), crossmembers and reinforced B-pillars to offer the most effective side impact protection possible.

New Generation WHIPS
The Volvo system for helping prevent neck injuries – WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) – fitted to the front seats, has received further development for the all new S80 so that the system is more effective and ensures better contact between the head and head restraint throughout its operation.

Pedestrian protection
Volvo has designed the front of the all new S80 with energy absorbing features to protect other road users, incorporating soft structures in front of the bumper to help counteract the risk of leg injuries to pedestrians. The lower spoiler has also been reinforced and designed to be further forward in line with the bumper to distribute the force of any impact over a greater area.

In addition, the bonnet has a raised shape with a honeycomb structure to distribute the load of any impact and reduce the risk of injury.

Personal Car Communicator
Volvo's focus on safety includes personal safety and security, issues which are increasingly important in today's society. Volvo's Personal Car Communicator (PCC) was first demonstrated on the Volvo Safety Concept Car in 2001 and is an advanced, pocket-sized unit similar to a conventional remote control, but does a great deal more than activating locks and the alarm.

The PCC can tell if the all new S80 has been left locked or unlocked, if the alarm has been activated and uses a sensitive heartbeat sensor to tell if there is anyone in the car. The PCC will be able to access this information when it is within 100 metres of the car, or stores the most recent information so that the driver can check to see if the car was locked when it was parked.

Collision Warning and Brake Support
Volvo's research shows that many rear-end accidents happen because the driver is distracted or failed to react in time, which is why Volvo is introducing an advanced Collision Warning and Brake Support system to help avoid rear-end collisions, or at least minimise their effects.

The system uses a radar system to continuously monitor the area in front of the car so that if it approaches another moving car and the driver does not react it triggers an audible signal and a red warning light flashes on the windscreen.

If the driver brakes hard the system makes the brake lights flash to warn the drivers behind, but if the driver does not react to these alerts or start braking and the risk of a hitting the car in front increases, the Brake Support system hydraulically reinforces the brake pressure to provide effective braking. Even if this does not avoid the accident happening, it will certainly help reduce the force of any impact.

Advanced braking
To ensure the shortest possible braking distances for the all new S80, Volvo has developed an advanced braking system with new functions, including:

HBA: Hydraulic Brake Assist – it updates Volvo's EBA (Electronic Brake Assist) by using hydraulics to increase braking pressure when the driver brakes hard.

OHB: Optimised Hydraulic Brakes – reinforces the braking capacity in conjunction with hard braking to compensate for low vacuum pressure in the brake servo.

RAB: Ready Alert Brakes – can predict if the accelerator is released quickly or it the Adaptive Cruise Control registers an obstacle in front of the car and places the brake pads against the brake discs even before the driver hits the brake pedal.

FBS: Fading Brake Support – uses hydraulics to gradually build up braking pressure during constant braking to help reduce the risk of wear and retained pedal feeling.

MORE DETAILS

Full prices and specifications are due to be released at the end of March, prior to the cars arriving in UK showrooms in June/July.

1. Dimensions of the all new Volvo S80 compared to the previous model:

	Previous S80	All new S80
Length	4850 mm	4850 mm
Width	1833 mm	1860 mm
Height	1454 mm	1488 mm
Wheelbase	2791 mm	2836 mm
Track, front	1582 mm	1588 mm
Track, rear	1560 mm	1585 mm

2. Audio connoisseurs will appreciate further details of the Dynaudio^® speakers in the all new S80. The front doors have well-dimensioned three-way loudspeakers and the rear doors have two-way loudspeakers with a textile (silk dome) tweeter and combined bass and intermediate register element and powerful cones to help create a crystal clear sound. Each loudspeaker has a passive crossover filter to provide a harmonious total sound experience with the best possible width and dynamism. A specially developed Dynaudio-branded centre speaker in the instrument panel works together with the door speakers to create a natural, homogenous sound profile.

3. The engine range for the all new Volvo S80:

Engine	Type/configuration	Capacity	Power	Torque
4.4 V8	Petrol, V8	4.4-litre	315 PS	440 Nm
3.2 I6	Petrol, in-line 6 cylinder	3.2-litre	238 PS	320 Nm
2.5T	Petrol, in-line 5 cylinder	2521 cc	200 PS	300 Nm
D5	Diesel, in-line 5 cylinder	2401 cc	185 PS	400 Nm
2.4D	Diesel, in-line 5 cylinder	2401 cc	163 PS	340Nm

4. BLIS (Blind Spot Information System): A Volvo safety system fitted to the car's door mirrors that monitors and alerts the driver of any vehicles in the car's blindspot.

5. IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System): This safety system monitors the driver's activities and will delay any non-essential information (eg. incoming phone calls) to avoid distracting the driver during busy or potentially stressful moments.

6. A full selection of images and the international press information is available at www.media.volvocars.co.uk

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