2004 VOLVO S80 SEDAN

VOLVO Brand Reviews:    • S80    • C70    • S40/V40    • V70    • XC70 2.5T    • XC90    • S60    2004 VOLVO S80 SEDAN:    Description:    Mid-size sport/luxury sedan    Model options:    S80 2.9    S80 T6    S80 T6 Premier    Wheelbase:    109.9 inches    Overall length:    189.8 inches    Engine size:    DOHC 2.9 I6    DOHC 2.9 I6 Turbo    Transmissions/speeds:     2.9: Auto/4 Geartronic    T6: Auto/4    Rear/front drive:     Front    Steering:    Power rack and pinion ZF    Braking:    Power 4-disc     Power 4-disc     ABS/BA/EBD/TCS/     opt. DSTC/FOUR-C    Air bags:    2 (front) + 2 (side) + 2 (side curtain)    EPA mileage est. city/hwy:    2.9: 20/28 mpg    T6: 19/26 mpg    MSRP    S80 2.9: $ 37,045    S80 T6: $ 44,525    S80 T6 Premier: $ 48,515   Read Feature Story   Read New Car News   Read Brand Reviews   Read Car-Truck Test Reviews   Return to Guide's Homepage

VOLVO HAS POWERFUL ENGINE OPTIONS

The line by Volvo of Sweden for 2004 consists of models in five alphanumeric orders with new gear accumulating in all classes. In Volvo nomenclature, S represents a sedan, C stands for the convertible, V signifies a five-door wagon and XC means outdoor versatility vehicle. Leading the line is an updated version of the S80 sedan, elegant flagship for Volvo's fleet. It rolled out five years ago with curvaceous styling surrounding a luxurious cabin trimmed in leather and fit for five, a powertrain naturally aspirated or turbo-charged and advanced automotive safety systems aboard. New issues represent the next step in the car's development as a fresh shape for the package hones it to a sleek expression of Scandinavian design. It also carries active chassis management in a new system that Volvo labels the FOUR-C, for Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept. Last year Volvo unwrapped a mid-size sport-utility wagon dubbed the XC90, with turbo-charged power and optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) traction. It returns in 2004 with new packages of equipment plus optional metallic body paint and a DVD-based navigation system. The 70 series estate wagons include the 2.4, 2.5T, 2.5T AWD and T5 variants, along with the limited-production V70 R performance wagon. Another 70 series continues as the C70 convertible. S60 sedans include five models with the front-wheel-drive (FWD) S60 2.4 and S60 2.5T, S60 2.5T AWD, S60 T5 and racy S60 R with a 300-hp turbo-charged engine. Volvo's compact-class sedan and wagon -- S40 and V40 -- show a new sport package plus tail spoiler and stand-alone optional equipment.

S80: Body styling for Volvo's flagship sedan has been revamped with the three-dimensional prow flashing new fascia, foglamps, grille and headlamp clusters with highlights gleaming in chrome and dark silver finishes. Active safety tools include quick-action rack and pinion steering system now using a steering gear from ZF of Germany for more direct feel in the steering response. Optional FOUR-C shock damping regulates actions for the shock absorber at each wheel through electronic damping that changes as much as 25 times every second, switching from soft to hard to soft again in an effort to isolates the movement of each tire for less bounce, vibration and noise. For powertrains, Volvo has two in-line-six options. The S80 2.9 carries an aluminum six-pack that displaces 2.9 liters and produces 194 hp. The S80 T6 uses a light-pressure twin turbo that makes 268 hp. New top trim is the T6 Premier with a DVD-based video entertainment system designed for viewers in rear seats with a DVD player in the center console and two liquid-crystal-display (LCD) color monitors planted in the back of headrests of front buckets.

C70: New body paint -- Passion Red -- goes on 2004 editions of Volvo's mid-size convertible, while a new interior theme called Volcano Red adds red leather seats. The interior, arranged with twin front buckets and two rear seat positions, emphasizes luxury and comfort. Engines include a high-pressure turbo-charged 2.3-liter in-line-five worth 242 hp, or the base 2.4-liter five-cylinder light-pressure turbo scored to 197 hp.

S40/V40: Volvo's compacts consist of the S40 sedan and V40 wagon, each exhibiting styling points that look similar to the flagship sedan only in a smaller scale. A new Limited Sport Edition Package appears in tints of Black Sapphire, Virtual Blue or Silver. The kit adds spoilers front and rear, leather lining seats and steering wheel, chromium rings around gauges in the instrument panel, stainless steel scuff plates and a power moonroof. For power, an aluminum four-cylinder engine displaces 1.9 liters and achieves 170 hp. Extensive features for safety and security go into these smallest Volvos, such as frontal air bags plus seat-mounted side air bags.

V70: An estate wagon of mid-size dimensions from Volvo has a flexible seat design for up to seven riders and an expandable cargo compartment. Posh appointments dot the cabin, with power-operated controls and a high caliber of equipment in the mode of European touring sedans. Entry comes with the V70 2.4 packing a 2.4-liter in-line-five rated at 165 hp. The FWD V70 2.5T gains a more powerful 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo five for 208 hp, the same plant that works on V70 2.5T AWD model, and a FWD V70 T5 stocks a 2.3-liter five high-pressure turbo worth 247 hp. Yet the quickest wagon has to be the V70 R. Rigged for performance, it has the 2.5-liter five primed with turbo-charger and twin inter-coolers to turn out 300 hp.

XC70 2.5T: Pontiac's subcompact shapes up as a two-door coupe in one trim with three equipment packages. All stock a 2.2-liter in-line-four engine with 140 hp. A five-speed Getrag manual goes on the first package, but a four-speed automatic works with the other two. Sunfire options this year include a 200-watt Monsoon audio package with eight speakers and a CD deck capable of playing MP3 format files.

XC90: Volvo's XC90 SUV is expansive in cabin size -- with optional third-row seats for a capacity of as many as seven passengers -- and powerful with sophisticated safety systems plus optional AWD traction. It can be swift with the light-pressure twin turbo 2.9-liter in-line-six out of S80 T6, which delivers 268 hp. Base plant is the light-pressure turbo 2.5-liter five for 208 hp. Optional AWD traction is the electronic Haldex system.

S60: Volvo's mid-size sedans show a stylish cabin with rich appointments in muted tone-on-tone colors. Five-cylinder engines apply with a 2.4-liter plant plus a light-pressure turbo 2.5-liter variation at 208 hp and the high-pressure turbo for 247 hp. S60 AWD with increased chassis height stocks the light-pressure turbo 2.5-liter plant. It also uses Volvo's five-speed Geartronic automatic with an electronic AWD system. Also, Volvo's fastest car returns to the series as the S60 R, a sports sedan outfitted for high performance. The R-car takes the 2.5-liter turbo five-pack with twin inter-coolers added to muster 300 hp and bring home quick times -- only 5.4 seconds for a run from zero-to-sixty.