Volvo->ke188 is one of those automakers that rarely makes a splash in the auto scene. Unless it comes out with a concept - a feat in itself - it's usually content with just sitting out of the spotlight and producing cars that are known for their fuel efficiency and safety.
That being said, we still have to give due attention to the automaker, especially when it decided to roll out a bevy of new models for nearly its entire product line.
One of these models is the new S80->ke394, the Swedish automaker's luxury sedan. Previous versions didn't really inspire a whole lot of interest from the market, but that doesn't mean that the new S80 doesn't come with some interesting new features about it that could make it a safe choice for a luxury model.
We certainly see some merits on the new S80. Sure, there are some things we don't like about it too, but with a brand like Volvo, the case is always the customer taking what he can get.
Updated 08/02/2013: Volvo announced today that the 2014 S80 luxury sedan starts at $39,900. Click past the jump to see all of the pricing details.
Find out more about the 2013 Volvo S80 after the jump
2014 Volvo S80
- Make: Array
- Model: 2014 Volvo S80
- Engine/Motor: inline-6
- Horsepower: 249
- Torque: 266
- Transmission: AW TF-80SC 3.200
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Exterior
When you're describing the exterior of the S80, you're not going to expect any sort of award-winning designs. Volvo has never been the type to wow with aesthetics. Having said that, the new S80 does come with a host of exterior upgrades that makes the sedan look a little more appealing.
Volvo fitted the S80 with new front and rear bumpers that exude a more stretched look that makes the car look wider. We're not sure what that accomplishes apart from being a little more difficult to park in smaller spaces.
Volvo describes the changes as adding a more sophisticated elegance to the car but we struggle to see where the sophistication is, especially when the automaker retained the old Volvo lights on the rear.
Ultimately, judging the look of a Volvo is like telling a giraffe it's got a long neck. There are no surprises and nothing that will make you stand up and take attention.
Measurements and Volumes
|
Length |
485.4 cm |
|
Width (without mirrors) |
186.1 cm |
|
Height (including shark fin) |
149.3 cm |
|
Wheelbase |
283.5 cm |
|
Track, front, (16”/17”) |
158.8 cm/ 157.8 cm |
|
Track, rear, (16”/17”) |
158.5 cm / 157.5 cm |
|
Ground clearance, curb Std / Low sport |
15.1 cm / 13.0 cm |
|
Curb weight, kg (min–max, depending on setup) |
1,522–1,538 kg |
|
Fuel tank |
70 liters |
|
Max. trailer weight |
1,300–2,000 kg |
|
Max roof load |
100 kg |
|
Drag coefficient |
Cd 0.29 |
Interior
Admittedly, Volvo interiors are actually pretty good, at least right on par with that of its German counterparts. For the new S80, Volvo is outfitting it with the Executive interior package, the highest level of all-inclusive luxury, blending craftsmanship with all the technology Volvo has and one that includes genuine cowhide leather from the Bridge of Weir in Scotland.
The center stack of the S80 is also properly designed, highlighted by the wood-finished panel that adds that touch of "sophisticated elegance" the exterior couldn't live up to. The flat-diagonal surface makes it easy for the driver to access the buttons, which are all neatly arranged. The four dials are also ideally situated a little farther from each other, avoiding the confusion of what function each of those dials serve.
Interior Measurements
|
Headroom without sunroof (front/rear) |
985 cm / 973 cm |
|
Headroom with sunroof (front/rear) |
959 cm / 972 cm |
|
Passenger compartment width at shoulder height (front/rear) |
145.7 cm / 143.1 cm |
|
Leg room (front/rear) |
106.4 cm / 89.0 cm |
|
Cargo volume, including under floor storage (ISO V210) |
480 |
|
Cargo length at floor from the back of front seatback |
192.7 cm |
|
Cargo length at floor from the back of the rear seatback |
109.4 cm |
|
Cargo floor height to ground |
54.6 cm |
|
Rear opening height (car center line) |
87.6 cm |
|
Width of luggage compartment between wheelhouses |
113.0 cm |
Performance
If there's one thing that Volvo can lay claim to being one of the best at, it's their status as one of the finest brands when it comes to fuel efficiency and low CO2 emissions.
For the S80, the Swedish automaker is providing a host of engine options, including a four-cylinder D2 diesel engine that produces 115 horsepower. That lack in output may turn off a lot of people, but a significant portion of folks will no less be attracted to the engine's class-leading 4.1 l/100 km fuel efficiency (57.37 mpg) and C02 emissions of just 108 g/km, numbers that you wouldn't expect from a sedan of its class in the past.
Likewise, the S80's 136-horsepower D3 and 163-horsepower D4 engines both emit CO2 emissions of just 129 g, or 4.9 l/100 km (48 mpg) while the 180-horsepower, 1.6-liter GTDi T4 engine has a fuel consumption of just 7.1 l/100km (33.1 mpg).
Engine Specifications Part 1
|
Engine model |
t4 (B4164T) |
t4f (B4164T2) |
t5 (B4204T7) |
|
Type |
In-line 4-cyl. turbo petrol |
In-line 4-cyl. turbo petrol |
In-line 4-cyl. turbo petrol |
|
Configuration |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
|
Displacement, cm3 |
1596 |
1596 |
1999 |
|
Bore (mm) |
79.0 |
79.0 |
875. |
|
Stroke (mm) |
81.4 |
81.4 |
83.1 |
|
Engine cylinder block material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Cylinderhead material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Compression ratio |
10.0:1 |
10.0:1 |
10.0:1 |
|
Valves, no/cylinder |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Camshafts |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Engine management system |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
|
Ignition sequence |
1 - 3 - 4 -2 |
1 - 3 - 4 - 2 |
1 - 3 - 4 - 2 |
|
Engine idling speed, rpm |
750 |
750 |
780 |
|
Fuel, rec. octane |
91-98 RON |
E85 & 91–98 RON |
91–98 RON |
|
Max output, kW (hp)/rpm. |
132 (180) / 5700 |
132 (180) / 5700 |
177 (240) / 5500 |
|
Max torque, Nm/rpm. |
240 / 1600–5000 |
240 / 1600–5000 |
320 / 1800–5000 |
|
Manual gearbox/final drive |
MMT6 Z3 3.690/2.682 |
MMT6 Z3 3.690/2.682 |
MMT6 Z3 3.813/2.773 |
|
Automatic gearbox/final drive |
MPS6-7 3.933/2.682 |
MPS6-7 3.933/2.682 |
MPS6-7 3.933/2.682 |
|
Gearbox |
|||
|
Manual |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
8.5 |
8.5 |
7.5 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
220 |
220 |
245 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
6.6 |
6.9 |
7.9 |
|
CO2 g/km |
152 |
159 |
184 |
|
Automatic |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
9.2 |
9.2 |
7.7 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
220 |
220 |
240 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
7.1 |
7.1 |
8.1 |
|
CO2 g/km |
162 |
165 |
189 |
Engine Specifications Part 2
|
Engine model |
t5 (B5254T14) |
3.2 (B6324S5) |
t6 (B6304T4) |
|
Type |
In-line 5-cyl. turbo petrol |
In-line 6-cyl. turbo petrol |
In-line 6-cyl. turbo petrol |
|
Configuration |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front and all wheel drive |
Transverse, all wheel drive |
|
Displacement, cm3 |
2497 |
3192 |
2953 |
|
Bore (mm) |
83.0 |
84.0 |
82.0 |
|
Stroke (mm) |
92.3 |
96.0 |
93.2 |
|
Engine cylinder block material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Cylinderhead material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Compression ratio |
9.5:1 |
10.8:1 |
9.3:1 |
|
Valves, no/cylinder |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Camshafts |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Engine management system |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
Integrated fuel (SFI) / ignition control systems |
|
Ignition sequence |
1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 |
1 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 4 |
1 - 5 - 3 - 6 - 2 - 4 |
|
Engine idling speed, rpm |
720 |
590 |
590 |
|
Fuel, rec. octane |
91-98 RON |
91–98 RON |
91–98 RON |
|
Max output, kW (hp)/rpm. |
183 (249) / 5400 |
179 (243) / 6400 |
224 (304) / 5600 |
|
Max torque, Nm/rpm. |
360 / 1800–4200 |
320 / 3200 |
440 / 2100–4200 |
|
Manual gearbox/final drive |
n/a |
n/a |
n/a |
|
Automatic gearbox/final drive |
AW TF-80SC 3.200 |
AW TF-80SC FWD/AWD 3.329/3.464 |
AW TF-80SC 3.329 |
|
Gearbox |
|||
|
Manual |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
n/a |
8.5 |
7.5 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
n/a |
220 |
245 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
n/a |
6.9 |
7.9 |
|
CO2 g/km |
n/a |
159 |
184 |
|
Automatic |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
7.0 |
7.9(FWD)/8.2(AWD) |
6.4 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
240 |
240(FWD)/235(AWD) |
250 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
8.8 |
8.9(FWD)/9.4(AWD) |
9.5 |
|
CO2 g/km |
205 |
208(FWD)/219(AWD) |
222 |
Engine Specifications Part 3
|
Engine model |
d2 (D4162T) |
d3 (D5204T7) |
d3 (D5204T3) |
|
Type |
In-line 4-cyl. turbo diesel |
In-line 5-cyl. turbo diesel |
In-line 5-cyl. turbo diesel |
|
Configuration |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
|
Displacement, cm3 |
1560 |
1984 |
1984 |
|
Bore (mm) |
75.0 |
81.0 |
81.0 |
|
Stroke (mm) |
88.3 |
77.0 |
77.0 |
|
Engine cylinder block material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Cylinderhead material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Compression ratio |
16.0:1 |
16.5:1 |
16.5:1 |
|
Valves, no/cylinder |
2 |
4 |
4 |
|
Camshafts |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
Engine management system |
Electronically controlled |
||
|
common rail direct injection |
Electronically controlled |
||
|
common rail direct injection |
Electronically controlled |
||
|
common rail direct injection |
|||
|
Ignition sequence |
1 - 3 - 4 -2 |
1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 |
1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 |
|
Engine idling speed, rpm |
790 |
700 |
700 |
|
Fuel, rec. octane |
Cetane Number: Min 48 |
Cetane Number: Min 48 |
Cetane Number: Min 48 |
|
Max output, kW (hp)/rpm. |
84 (115) / 3600 |
100 (136) / 3500 |
120 (163) / 3500 |
|
Max torque, Nm/rpm. |
270 / 1750–2500 |
350 / 1500–2250 |
400 / 1500–2750 |
|
Manual gearbox/final drive |
MMT6 W3 4.063/2.955 |
M66D F2A 3.770 |
M66D F2A 3.770 |
|
Automatic gearbox/final drive |
MPS6-4 3.933/2.682 |
AW TF80SC 3.075 |
AW TF80SC 3.075 |
|
Gearbox |
|||
|
Manual |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
11.5 |
10.4 |
9.7 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
190 |
205 |
215 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
4.5 / 4.1* |
4.3 |
4.3 |
|
CO2 g/km |
119 / 108* |
114 |
114 |
|
Automatic |
|||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
12.8 |
10.4 |
9.7 |
|
Top speed, km/h |
185 |
200 |
210 |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
4.5 / 4.1* |
5.0 (4.9) |
6.0 / 5.0 / 4.9 |
|
CO2 g/km |
119 / 109* |
132 (129) |
158 / 132 / 129 |
*Tire Restriction
Engine Specifications Part 4
|
Engine model |
d5 (D5244T11) |
d5 (D5244T15) |
|
Type |
In-line 5-cyl. turbo diesel |
In-line 5-cyl. turbo diesel |
|
Configuration |
Transverse, front wheel drive |
Transverse, front and all wheel drive |
|
Displacement, cm3 |
2400 |
2400 |
|
Bore (mm) |
81.0 |
81.0 |
|
Stroke (mm) |
93.15 |
93.15 |
|
Engine cylinder block material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Cylinderhead material |
Aluminum |
Aluminum |
|
Compression ratio |
16.5:1 |
16.5:1 |
|
Valves, no/cylinder |
4 |
4 |
|
Camshafts |
2 |
2 |
|
Engine management system |
Electronically controlled |
|
|
common rail direct injection |
Electronically controlled |
|
|
common rail direct injection |
||
|
Ignition sequence |
1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 |
1 - 2 - 4 - 5 - 3 |
|
Engine idling speed, rpm |
740 |
700 |
|
Fuel, rec. octane |
Cetane Number: Min 48 |
Cetane Number: Min 48 |
|
Max output, kW (hp)/rpm. |
158 (215) / 4000 |
158 (215) / 4000 |
|
Max torque, Nm/rpm. |
420 / 1500–3250 |
440 / 1500–3000 |
|
Manual gearbox/final drive |
M66D F2A 3.770 |
n/a |
|
Automatic gearbox/final drive |
n/a |
AW TF-80SC FWD/AWD 3.200/3.329 |
|
Gearbox |
||
|
Manual |
||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
7.6 |
n/a |
|
Top speed, km/h |
230 |
n/a |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
4.6 |
n/a |
|
CO2 g/km |
120 |
n/a |
|
Automatic |
||
|
Acceleration, 0–100 km/h (sec) |
n/a |
7.8(FWD) / 7.8(AWD) |
|
Top speed, km/h |
n/a |
225(FWD) / 225(AWD) |
|
Fuel consumption l/100 km (Combined) |
n/a |
6.1(FWD) / 6.4(AWD) |
|
CO2 g/km |
n/a |
159(FWD) / 167(AWD) |
Pricing
|
Model |
Price |
|
S80 3.2 |
$39,900 |
|
S80 3.2 Premier Plus |
$41,400 |
|
S80 3.2 Platinum |
$44,100 |
|
S80 T6 AWD |
$43,950 |
|
S80 T6 AWD Premier Plus |
$45,450 |
|
S80 T6 AWD Platinum |
$48,150 |
Competition
Audi A6
Aesthetically, there really is no comparison. The Audi A6 looks like a million bucks, compared to the S80, which probably looks about half of that. The Volvo's multitude of powertrain options offers plenty of choices for the consumer. Add that to the class-leading fuel efficiency rating and you can probably make a case for the S80 as a more palatable purchase. But if you're not too hung up on fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions, then we don't see any reason why you'll opt for an S80 when a sexier option is available in the S6.
BMW 5-Series
There's really no going around Volvo's rather bland design for the S80. It's not their fault, really, because they've never been one to brag about their designs. That's the same case with the 5-Series->ke317, a car that may not look as pretty as the A6, but is still more aesthetically pleasing than the S80. And if you really think about it, the 5-Series' combination of looks, power, efficiency, and unquestioned German engineering make it just as well of a better choice than the Volvo S80.
Conclusion
The S80 is a tough call and really depends on what you're looking for in a luxury sedan. There are definitely better options to choose from if you value the idea of driving a looker of a car with matching performance credentials. But if you're up for saving Mother Earth, few models can compete with the S80's characteristic of being a fuel-saver. If you ask us, we're steering clear of the Volvo in lieu of, in our opinion, better options.