The output of these two engines represents a significant step up from past offerings and brings the S80 back into contention with the established players. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

Geartronic transmission with manual shift capability. For the Canadian market, all versions of the S80 will also come standard with all-wheel drive and traction control.

For the driving experience, I was handed the keys to a fully loaded S80 with the V8 engine. The drive route consisted of a quick jaunt from the Strip in Las Vegas to Lake Mead and then back. In those few hours, I was able to test all the S80's many hi-tech features and sneak in a few bursts of acceleration just for good measure.

The V8 is one smooth engine with the bulk of its torque available at just 2000 rpm. Stoplight showdowns are fairly stirring, the S80 sprinting to 100 km/h in about 6.5 seconds. The Geatronic transmission keeps up for the most part, although it's not as responsive as the better semi-automatics out there, such as Audi's DSG.

This doesn't take away from the fact that the Volvo is very fun to drive,

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

particularly when the road takes a turn for the better. The S80 in question came equipped with the optional Luxury Package, which included ventilated front leather sport seats, heated rear seats, 18-inch wheels and, most importantly, the Four-C active chassis.

This latter system, first introduced on the S60 R, allows the driver to select among three different suspension settings: Comfort, Sport and Advanced. With the system on the Advanced setting and the DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) turned off, the true nature of the S80 reveals itself. Curves become hand-written invitations to test the limits of adhesion and the Volvo responds with genuine skill and sheer grip. This is an incredibly stable sedan, one that could easily accommodate a more powerful engine - an S80 R, perhaps?

Styling and performance attributes aside, the biggest news surrounding the new Volvo S80 deals with the sheer number of advanced safety features available on the car. First of all, the new car features advanced side airbags for better hip and chest protection, and four different grades of steel to enhance crash worthiness.

The S80 is also the first Volvo to be fitted with optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), which automatically maintains a certain distance between you and the car in front. The cruise control is linked to a driver warning

2007 Volvo S80 (Photo: Mark Hacking)

system that signals - via bells and red lights on the heads-up display - when you're closing on the car in front too quickly. In freeway testing, the warning system worked as advertised and the alarms did not arrive too soon to dissuade more spirited driving.

Another addition to the S80 safety package is BLIS, the optional Blind Spot Information System. Using tiny cameras mounted on the side-view mirrors, this system warns you if someone is in your blind spot. While I'm often in favour of advanced safety features, this system, like the automatic parallel parking system in the new Lexus LS, is one that will lead to the complete erosion of driving skill over time.