Filed under: Spy Photos, Trends, Sedans/Saloons
Holy Geneva! 2007 Volvo S80 revealed in advance of Swiss debut
Volvo's renaissance started with 1999's S80 flagship sedan, and the turnaround appears to have come full circle with its successor, seen here for the first time without camouflage. In what looks to be yet another premature press photo distribution leak, the good folks who frequent SwedeSpeed have provided us with an advance glimpse into Gothenburg's gurus latest... well ahead of the car's Geneva coming-out party.
The exterior is clearly evolutionary and couldn't be anything other than a Volvo, but this is hardly unfortunate. Up top, more aggressively raked glass, along with a sharkfin antenna presents a sportier roofline, and the S80's corners have been substantially radiused, with headlights and taillamps appearing to 'wrap around' the car's perimeter, neatly integrating the front end turn signal lens in the process. Side cladding has also been minimized for a cleaner profile, and subtle cues like the second set of inboard character lines on the hood and less timid exhaustwork afford the S80 a more energetic and dynamic look.
[Further exposé including 7 additional photos inside-and-out after the jump]
As is plainly visible in the interior shot below, the S40's lyrical 'floating' center console has been pressed into service, and is set to become a styling trademark for all future Volvos. The absence of a key slot of any kind appears to indicate that Volvo's gone ahead and made good on keyless drive, which in all likelihood will manifest itself as a variant of Volvo's Personal Communicator (VPC) a small handheld computer that monitors and adjusts certain vehicle settings (everything from unlocking doors to monitoring theft threats), an idea seen first on Volvo's Safety Concept Car of 2001.
Preliminary intelligence indicates that the S80 will hold down Volvo's top rung with a three-engine range, a standard 3.2L six-cylinder with around 240 hp, an optional (and much needed) eight-cylinder displacing about 4.4L and sporting circa 315 hp, and an available five-cylinder diesel with around 180 hp-- the latter of which doesn't appear to be slated for U.S. consumption.
As ever, expect the all manner of safety kit, from Volvo's Four-C active chassis system to an impact warning system, radar cruise-control with heads-up display, DSTC (Dynamic Stability Traction Control), airbags fitted to seemingly every flat surface, and bi-xenon headlamps with an adjustable beam to peak 'round corners. All-wheel drive with Volvo's Instant Traction system will be optional on V8 models.
Finally armed with the cylinder count to do battle with larger-engined competitors like the BMW 5-Series, Lexus GS300, the big Swede appears at once fresh and true-to-form. Now, bring on that S80R, already.
[Thanks for the tip, Barry]
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
ebm14 7:22AM (1/30/2006)
I smell some German in this car...cough...BMW
Reply
tariq 7:34AM (1/30/2006)
cough Audi(front end)
Reply
Devin Lussier 7:49AM (1/30/2006)
Wow! I'm very impressed. Yet another Volvo I want...
Reply
Phil 7:59AM (1/30/2006)
BMW? Audi? I don't see much of either in this car. I don't think the S80 is guilty of imitating competitors' design themes at all. The problem, rather, is that Volvo hasn't deviated at all from the look they established with the S60 and S40. It wouldn't have killed them to come up with some minor progression from what they've been doing for the last 8 years.
Reply
shift 8:04AM (1/30/2006)
It looks like a more agressively racked S80 with bmw wheels. Thank god there's no more garbage T6....
Reply
lamotopics 8:06AM (1/30/2006)
Is it just me, or does the interior look like a early "90's Chrysler with something missing behind the center console?
Reply
DT 8:08AM (1/30/2006)
these are all photoshopped. These are NOT real. Even the folks at swedespeed are showing examples of how these are euro S40 press images retouched.
Reply
Nono 8:25AM (1/30/2006)
TO DT:
These are not photoshopped! these are real pictures, the photoshopped ones are the two first (this is evident), the rest are true, please learn reading
Reply
Greg Murphy 8:39AM (1/30/2006)
This seems like a real nice looking car. I am glad the T6 is gone. That seemed like a lot about nothing. The rear glass window seems pretty interesting.
Reply
DT 8:40AM (1/30/2006)
so two are photoshopped and not real and the others aren't and you expect everyone to pick between them and know this?
Argh. And once again readers ruin the experience of the AB. Thanks for the friendly explanation.
Reply
Richard 8:46AM (1/30/2006)
Audi up front - no doubt
The rear bumper's built-up sides look like the current Saab
Reply
Steve S 8:59AM (1/30/2006)
Looks like an Acura except for the nose.
Reply
Phil 9:29AM (1/30/2006)
None of the pics on this page, or for that matter in the linked swedespeed thread, are photoshops - that's pretty obvious just from the sheer amount of different angles, the high resolution, the fact these match up with spy shots, etc. Nobody in that thread suggests that they were chops either. What are you talking about DT?
Reply
shift 9:45AM (1/30/2006)
Those are definately legit pics. It's even posted on the VITA parts application. Engine code B8444S: same yamaha engine found in the xc90 is being used along with the 2.5T engine (B5254T6). There is no listing for the 6 cylinder as of yet...
Reply
Priit 10:06AM (1/30/2006)
front end definately has some similarities with the new audi. i think it would look even better without the nasty volvo emblem.
Reply
DT 10:16AM (1/30/2006)
Never mind.
When you go to swede speed's forum thread on this topic which you have to dig for the top two photos at the time I went were photoshopped and these images here were underneath. And the phrasing of the photoshopped images made it sound like all of them were. Sorry.
And the fact that swede speed did not put up the HQ images themselves made it seem really fishy. Also why would someone photoshop two images to make it look exactly like the real thing? ie it had the same chrome line on back, same headlights, same color etc.
Thats all. Thats what happens when you run leaked images and no one knows where they came from.
Reply
JS 10:39AM (1/30/2006)
I sent you guys this last thursday or friday AM....what I get no love for my incredible "tipster" abilities. FOR SHAME!!!
Oh, and maybe the rear quarter shot sorta reminds me of a BMW 3-Series but the front is all Volvo (vis S40 style) so forget your Audi/BMW styling comments about that and the rear matches perfectly with the new C70 thats about to hit showroom floors so it firms up the brand image even more ;-)
Reply
ML 12:01PM (1/30/2006)
I see a Camery with BMW wheels - 3rd and 4th pix
Reply
Priit 1:35PM (1/30/2006)
there wouldn't be any "audi" comments if people didn't think they looked alike. you must be blind or swedish.
Reply
Paul Roides 1:49PM (1/30/2006)
Definately some Audi in the nose, with a hint of the CLS in the back. Altogether, not a very impressive revamp.
Reply