MkII S80

THE all-new S80 marked the return of Volvo’s flagship sedan Down Under for the first time since July 2005.

Featuring V8 and turbo-diesel engines for the first time, as well as a solid new chassis with AWD to replace its predecessor’s exclusively front-drive layout, the new S80 further enticed with striking yet subtle styling, a high level of standard equipment, Volvo’s legendary reputation for safety and super-competitive pricing.

Opening the range at launch was the front-drive S80 136kW/400Nm 2.4-litre five-cylinder D5 turbo-diesel. The flagship is the 232kW/44Nm 4.4-litre V8 AWD.

In November 2008 a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol T6 mid-range model materialised, with a 0-100km/h sprint-time of 6.9 seconds, an average combined fuel consumption figure of 11.2 litres per 100km and a carbon dioxide emissions output of 267 grams per kilometre.

The 400Nm torque top was shared with the front-drive S80 D5 while The S80 T6 boasts a 0-100km/h sprint-time of 6.9 seconds, an average combined fuel consumption figure of 11.2 litres per 100km and a carbon dioxide emissions output of 267 grams per kilometre – in contrast to the old 3.2’s corresponding figures of 8.2 seconds, 10.7L/100km and 255g/km.

The 400Nm torque top is shared with the front-drive S80 D5, while 210kW of power was available at 5600rpm.

In November 2009 a facelift arrived, with a new Euro5-compliant 2.4-litre, twin-turbo D5 diesel engine producing 151kW and now linked to an AWD drivetrain but maintaining the 7.3L/100km fuel efficiency of the outgoing engine.

Cosmetic changes to the S80 included new chrome detailing across the lower front air intakes, on the lower door strips and under the tail-lights as well as a more extrovert grille with prominent badge.