Volvo unveils long-wheelbase S80L for Chinese market
Just like the long-wheelbase Audi A4L that debuted in China yesterday, Volvo has just rolled out a longer S80 with an extended wheelbase designed to suit Chinese premium car buyers' tastes. Unlike the Audi, we have a profile shot to show the extra length of the Volvo S80L. Volvo entered the Chinese market with its locally built S40 in 2006. Now it has made the decision to produce this market-specific version of the brand's flagship sedan in China, as well. The S80L gets stretched a full 14 cm (5.5 inches), and all of that extra space goes into the rear seat area. You have to wonder if these longer versions will eventually make their way into other markets.
One additional note: While most of the commenters on the Audi A4L post spent their time arguing about racism, stereotypes, average heights and nutrition, we want this one to be all about the car. So just to be clear, nobody was saying that all Chinese people are looking for additional height. We're sorry if some of you thought that was implied in the post. In fact, Chinese people apparently want extra length... in their premium cars. Get your minds out of the gutter.
[Source: Volvo]
PRESS RELEASE
Preview of Volvo S80L tailored for China
(Guangzhou, 18 Nov.) Volvo Car Corporation proudly presented the Volvo S80L at the 6th Guangzhou Motor Show in south China. The S80L, a long wheelbase version of the popular S80 sedan, has been locally tailored and specifically designed for the market in China. Furthermore, the Volvo S80L will be locally produced in China. The new design was unveiled by Dr. Alexander Klose, CEO of Volvo Car China, and marks the acceleration of its localization plan.
Volvo Cars has enjoyed stable growth since entering China. It released its first locally built model, the Volvo S40, in 2006, to better address the Chinese market and the particular demands of Chinese consumers. The valuable experience which followed the S40's success further enhanced Volvo's confidence in promoting a strategy of local manufacture.
"Therefore, Volvo made a decision to produce its flagship sedan, the S80, in China, with upgrades to suit the tastes of Chinese consumers' and to meet the increasing demand for premium cars in China," said Dr. Klose.
Throughout its long history, Volvo has made safety its core value. Eighty years' of refinement and the accumulation of meticulous car-making techniques has enabled Volvo's flagship S80 to attain a leading market position. With top-level safety, quality, and design, the S80 has consolidated Volvo's strength and status among luxury car brands, maintaining its unique competitive advantages within the fiercely competed Chinese luxury car market. The all-new long wheelbase S80L is expected to further enhance the perception of Volvo's premium among Chinese consumers.
Bigger Space, More Luxurious Appointments
The long wheelbase S80L is to be built at the CFMA Chongqing plant in China. And it is specially designed for Chinese consumers, with larger and more comfortable rear seat space. In addition, the S80L boasts top-level features and equipment. Volvo's world-leading innovative technology, guarantees premium appointments, a comfortable driving experience and unsurpassed safety. The S80L targets successful mature achievers who have a strong sense of responsibility for their families and the society.
Reflecting Volvo's Premium Quality, Technology and Safety
To ensure the success of S80L's local production in China, Volvo has done a huge amount of preparatory work. Before the project even kicked off, technical experts and senior executives from Volvo visited China many times to inspect local suppliers and ensure the quality of locally produced parts and components. They also issued concrete and detailed requirements for every part used by Volvo.
Since 2000, Volvo Cars Safety Centre in Sweden, which boasts the most advanced testing facility in the world, has conducted over 2,000 crash tests. Many of Volvo's leading preventive safety technologies were invented there, resulting in the S80 and S80L's top performance in comprehensive safety protection.
The S80 has enjoyed critical success, resulting in many international awards, cementing its position in the premium car sector. The S80L shares all the features and qualities of the S80 sedan and it exceeds its sibling by being 14 cm longer and all this extra length appears in the rear seat creating an outstanding comfort for the passengers. The popularity of the S80 sedan has set a solid foundation for the introduction of the S80L in China. Volvo believe S80L's world leading safety technology, premium quality, and luxurious design will give it powerful market competitiveness and win the S80L a significant share of the luxury car segment in China.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Randy915 5:07PM (11/18/2008)
The shortest people need more rear leg room? What? :D
JK, I'm not racist.
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Steve 5:12PM (11/18/2008)
no kidding... first the a4l and now this??? Being 6' 6" i've crammed in the back seat of many a4's ranging in years and i have only one question.... why oh why not America???
John Johnson 5:36PM (11/18/2008)
Boo, and yours get high ranked :p
Kotse 6:30PM (11/18/2008)
Euro cars, like the A4 and this S80 having LWB would be appropriate...since recent findings had shown that through better healthcare and nutrition, the Europeans are now taller than the average American.
jsjs 3:07AM (11/19/2008)
Joking aside - Northern Chinese aren't too far from the avg. height of us Americans - esp. among the younger generation (it's the Southern Chinese who tend to be short - but there are others who are shorter).
JD Edelman 5:09PM (11/18/2008)
What is UP with that? As an AMERICAN owner of the new S80, I can tell you the back seat is one of the few gripes about this car. Why would they make it for China and not the US?
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Gregg 5:15PM (11/18/2008)
Because they know the car would not sell in China as it is configured for Europe and the US. The Chinese understand how to have a modern Town Car. I think the long wheelbase versions of all these cars should be optional here, but they aren't. Who knows why car companies make the decisions they do? Could be why so many are in such deep trouble.
Gregg 5:15PM (11/18/2008)
Because they know the car would not sell in China as it is configured for Europe and the US. The Chinese understand how to have a modern Town Car. I think the long wheelbase versions of all these cars should be optional here, but they aren't. Who knows why car companies make the decisions they do? Could be why so many are in such deep trouble.
Jeff 6:09PM (11/18/2008)
In China, it is prestigious to have a chauffeur drive you. You probably don't want this car, as if its anything like the Chinese version of the Audi A8L, then it is probably stripper central. The A8L that picked me up from the airport in Beijing had leather, an automatic transmission, a normal AM/FM/CD radio, a humongous-for-Chinese-standards 3.2 liter engine, and nothing else. The only other options you can get are reclining seats and heated/vented seats. Everything else in the car from the headliner, to the armrest, to the buttons and switches were parts binned from VW.
But it sure had a lot of space in the back, and it looked awesome.
casey 5:15PM (11/18/2008)
i'm waiting for KITT to morph into a long wheelbase 'stang for the Chinese market now.... can't wait for tomorrow night!
at least this Volvo is based on their executive-level car. it makes sense. notice Volvo didn't waste their time with an S60L.
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Gregg 5:17PM (11/18/2008)
If they want to sell the S60 in any numbers in China, it needs a LW version. Audi learned this long ago.
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john.paulsson 5:18PM (11/18/2008)
Come on, why isn't this sold in Sweden? Our king demands it ;P
No really, I think cheaper LWB cars would be perfect for most families with teenagers. I, for one, know that, having spent my best years cramped in the backseat of an Volvo V40. I'm six feet tall, and not many family cars have a back seat that's comfortable for longer rides.
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jte 5:22PM (11/18/2008)
I'm waiting for the long wheelbase Yaris.
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Torrent 5:33PM (11/18/2008)
Corolla?
jte 5:35PM (11/18/2008)
Long wheelbase Nisan Versa 5 door!
Torrent 6:35PM (11/18/2008)
Infiniti EX?
steve 5:24PM (11/18/2008)
first the a4 and now this! being 6'6" and having friends who have a4's ranging in years, i've crammed into many back seats. i am taking this as a personal insult to all tall people from audi and volvo... jerks.
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Torrent 5:33PM (11/18/2008)
So they want a long wheelbase version of what is essentially a stretched S80 which is really a stretched S60 which is originally a stretched S40?
nice....
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Daniel Cote 6:31PM (11/18/2008)
Your chronology is wrong. The S80 was first out of the chute. The styling and design then filtered into the S60 & S40.
Torrent 6:37PM (11/18/2008)
So they want a long wheelbase version of what is essentially a stretched S80 which spawned a shorter S60 which is now a stretched S40?