There is one major option package called "Luxury," which strangely, besides the high-end Dolby audio, has little to do with

There is one major option package called "Luxury," which strangely, besides the high-end Dolby audio, has little to do with luxury. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

luxury. Really, a cargo cover is not a luxury item, and one might think that on such a high-end vehicle, such a security necessity would be standard. More interesting are the stand-alone options, which include 18-inch alloy wheels replacing the standard 17s, third-row seating (a smart move to not make this seldom-used feature standard), DVD navigation, and dual-screen DVD rear entertainment system.

Checking all the options boxes will add just under $10,000 to the base price of $64,995. When it arrives in Volvo showrooms in July it

Checking all the options boxes will add just under $10,000 to the base price of $64,995. (Photo: Gerry Frechette, Canadian Auto Press)

will compare favourably with the European competition, but of course, it'll make the V8 the most expensive Volvo ever. That should matter little to the target customer, the 55 year-old empty-nester business owner who likes to golf, and is enthusiastic about cars and driving..

As Volvo CEO Hans-Olov Olsson said, "It's important that we can launch a V8 without compromising our core values - high safety and good environmental properties." At that, Volvo has succeeded.