The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars since 1998, introduced to take the place of the rear-wheel-drive Volvo 960 (later S90) saloon in the model range. The Volvo S80 has been built at the Torslanda Works in Gothenburg, Sweden. Unlike most Volvo models, it did not have an estate version for its first generation. The third generation of the V70 wagon is marketed as the estate version for the second generation of the S80 saloon. This is a part of a major product overhaul at Volvo, including a luxury large estate and saloon. It serves as the flagship model for Volvo.

The second generation Volvo S80, in June 2007, scored the highest "good" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test performance for frontal, side, and rear impacts,[1] earning it the IIHS Top Safety Pick. The second generation S80 features a more rigid chassis.

The first-generation S80 is based on the Volvo P2 Platform. Over 368,000 first-generation S80s were built.[4] This S80 was equipped with numerous safety systems, including Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Protection System WHIPS.[5] The S80 featured a straight-six engine in a transverse engine mounting. No existing manual gearbox would fit in the engine bay with the six-cylinder engine, so Volvo had to develop their own, the M65. It featured also an environmental specification, covering aspects such as allergens from textiles, fuel economy and the life cycle of the car from production to dismantling.[6]

The S80 used canbus multiplex wiring.[7]

The S80 was initially available with four different engines. Starting the range was a detuned 2.4-litre 104 kilowatts (141 PS; 139 bhp) five-cylinder. This was also available as a compressed natural gas (CNG) and as an liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) version. The fully tuned version produced 125 kilowatts (170 PS; 168 bhp). Next up was a 2.9-litre 144 kilowatts (196 PS; 193 bhp) six-cylinder, then 200 kilowatts (272 PS; 268 bhp) T6, and finally, the 103 kilowatts (140 PS; 138 bhp) 2.5-litre Volkswagen-sourced Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. The 2.9 has a straight-six engine, while the T6 was powered by a destroked twin-turbocharged version.[5]

In 2000, there was the addition of the 149 kilowatts (203 PS; 200 bhp) 2.5T, available with standard all-wheel drive. The 2.5T model featured a light-pressure turbocharger.

Late 2001 introduced the 120 kilowatts (163 PS; 161 bhp) five-cylinder common rail diesel D5, detuned to 96 kilowatts (131 PS; 129 bhp) and sold as 2.4D in some markets.[3][8]

In some European countries, the entry level S80 came with a 2.0-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 182 metric horsepower (134 kW; 180 bhp). These were sold in countries where larger capacity engines were penalized by heavy taxes.

Minor exterior design changes occurred between 2003 and 2004 versions, notably front grille styling.

References

1. 1. "IIHS S80 Report" Iihs.org. 1 September 2010. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
2. 2. www.volvoclub.org.uk/press/s80/S80-TheStory.pdf
3. 3. "Volvo 2003 S80 Specification" (PDF)  Retrieved 9 October 2010.
4. 4. "Volvo Owners Club UK S80 production data"  Volvoclub.org.uk. 31 December 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
5. 5. "Volvo Owners Club UK Summary of S80 Launch Press Release"  Volvoclub.org.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
6. 6. "Volvo Owners Club UK S80 Environment Press Release"  Volvoclub.org.uk. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
7. 7. "Volvo Early S80 Press Release" (PDF)  Retrieved 9 October 2010.
8. 8. "Volvo S80 1999 Specifications" (PDF)  Retrieved 9 October 2010.