New Volvo S80 Ups the Ante

Las Vegas, NV - It's fitting that the North American launch for the 2007 Volvo S80 should take place in the city that's home away from home to more gamblers per square mile than anywhere else in the world. After all,

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

the release of any new car is, in and of itself, a calculated risk.

Following some four or five years of concentrated effort, a brand new car is released to the public at large - and to criticism or acclaim. Many times, the introduction of the latest version of an established car is an even stickier situation. How do you please the people who were fans of the original? How do you broaden the car's appeal? And how do you make the new version different enough to stay current with the pace of development?

In the case of the Volvo S80, there was perhaps an even greater concern: the original, first-generation version was introduced in 1999. Aside from some minor alterations and a regularly changing engine line-up, the S80 coasted from the last century through to this one undisturbed. In the automotive world, eight years between models is an eternity.

So expectations were high for this second generation flagship sedan - and Volvo has answered the call with a refined, dynamic and involving new car.

Based on a new version of the company's P2 platform, the 2007 Volvo S80 is the same overall length as its predecessor, but is slightly wider and

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

taller as well. The wheelbase has been stretched to provide more interior space, while the front and rear track have increased slightly to promote a more confident presence on the road.

From its appearance, the new S80 is clearly a Volvo, but its shape is sleeker and, at the same time, more aggressive. The hood has a significant power dome shape (to comply with future pedestrian safety standards) and the front grille is particularly menacing - the "stock" S80 bringing to mind the racier S60 R. The chin spoiler is more pronounced than on the old S80 and the air openings are wider and meaner.

The back end of the car, meanwhile, is less square, less upright and more flowing. The unmistakable Volvo taillight treatment returns, only this time it's narrower, giving the impression that the car is wider and lower than the previous version. Overall, the cohesive design makes the S80 look smaller than it actually is yet substantial at the same time.

Inside, the new S80 continues the Volvo tradition for clean design and genuine comfort. The leather sport seats are extremely soft yet

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

supportive. The centre console is simple and elegant, the climate control switches being particularly logical and effective. Creature comforts, including dual zone climate control and heated power front seats, are in abundance. And each variant comes with its own audio system; a high-end system featuring Dynaudio and Bang & Olufsen components is optional.

Upon its debut this spring, the S80 will be available with two engine choices, a much simpler approach than Volvo has employed in the past. The base engine is a brand new inline 6-cylinder that displaces 3.2 litres and produces 235 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. The optional V8 is the Yamaha-built engine first seen in the Volvo XC90; it's a 4.4-litre engine with decent horsepower (311) and even better torque (325 lb-ft).