2007 Volvo S80 First Drive
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Safety and Technology
Volvo has upgraded the S80 to contemporary luxury car standards by adding Bluetooth, an amazing Dynaudio sound system, and active headlights that help to see around curves. Bigger news is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). BLIS warns the driver when other vehicles are located in adjacent lanes and are hidden within the S80’s blind spots. Volvo also offers Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Collision Warning and Brake Support. When S80s equipped with ACC approach other vehicles too fast, aural and visual warnings prompt the driver to brake. The brakes are also ready to deliver instant response when the driver depresses the pedal. Volvo has also updated its Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS) for 2007.
Test Car and Location
Volvo invited us to Las Vegas to drive the new S80. Our test cars were European specification, equipped with metal strips of trim on the dashboard rather than the wood that will be standard on North American models, a parabolic driver’s side mirror, and kph displays. We drove the S80 3.2 the first half of the day and the S80 V8 AWD the second half of the day. The second half of the day was far more satisfying.
Performance
For a new engine displacing more than three liters, the standard inline six produces unimpressive power. Acceleration to 60 mph takes eight seconds, according to Volvo, but it feels like more from the driver’s seat. Cruising the Las Vegas strip, the six-speed transmission banged off crisp shifts that made the most of the 3.2-liter engine’s low torque peak, but on the open road the standard S80 ran out of steam when asked to climb hills or pass trucks. The V8 is a much better choice, and not just because it comes with AWD and gets to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds. It sounds terrific, moves the S80 with authority at all times, and is better suited to flagship duty.
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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