To
As reported leaked earlier, the car that helped jump-start Volvo’s design
revival is finally receiving its due. A (much-needed) newly available V8 engine produces 311 horsepower
and 325 pounds/foot of torque, and AWD is now joined by Volvo’s active Four-C chassis (Continuously Controlled Chassis
Concept). Safety, ever a Volvo priority, receives its due with a new patented structure, technologies such as adaptive
cruise control, collision warning, and brake support systems.
Our man on the scene, Alberto from Autoblog Spanish hopes to have some
non-blurry pics shortly (those Euro photogs have pointy elbows!), but until then, dear readers, sate yourself with a
spate of Swedish stock shots.
[Roughly 32,631 pictures and full specifications after the jump.]
[Source: Volvo]
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The all new Volvo S80 to conquer new buyers
with Scandinavian luxury
•
Inviting and intelligent combination of aesthetics and functional technology
• Emphasis on
dynamism – both when it comes to design and driving properties
• Average production
volume 50,000 cars per year
• USA will be the largest market
The all new Volvo
S80 makes its entry onto the international stage with a highly unique strength:
“We’re
challenging the very best in the segment by offering refined Scandinavian luxury,” says Fredrik Arp, president
and CEO, Volvo Car Corporation. “In other words, clean and elegant lines combined with intelligent functionality.
Every single detail has been designed with a firm focus on the user’s well-being.”
To Volvo Cars,
“Scandinavian luxury” radiates with a different, more human prestige by combining aesthetics and technology
in a way that is inviting, intelligent , and accessible.
Scandinavian luxury conveys an image of a person
who is equally attracted by intelligent functionality and a feeling of responsibility as he or she is by aesthetics and
prestige.
Evolutionary design
The all new Volvo S80 approaches
such buyers with the next generation of Volvo design language, a technical content that gives the owner benefit or
enjoyment in every single detail, and a sense of responsibility in the form of world-class safety as well as concern
for the environment.
“We are convinced that we have a product that will win over many customers from
our competitors. We expect that as much as 70 percent of the average volume – 50,000 cars a year – will go
to buyers who do not drive a Volvo today,” says Fredrik Arp.
The all new Volvo S80 is being
unveiled at the international motor show in Geneva, February 28, 2006. The five largest markets are the USA, Germany,
United Kingdom, Sweden and China.
Refined design and well-being with
intuitive technology
The second-generation Volvo S80 has a more compact and dynamic exterior. Inside, the
new S80’s refined colors and materials in perfect harmony combines with intuitive technology creates an aura of
well-being. In addition, the senses are further stirred by a sound system that is world class.
“It’s not about technical gadgetry and price. Instead, we approached the new S80 as a complete entity
where highly advanced yet easy to use technical solutions provide occupants a comfortable, dynamic and safe driving
experience. The driver should have control – both over the car and over the vehicle’s interaction with the
surrounding traffic,” explains Silvia Güllsdorf, S80 Project Director.
Engine range – from a new in-line six to one of the most efficient V8s on the market
The
project team developing the all new Volvo S80 clearly set their sights on increased driving pleasure. A few examples of
their focus:
• Volvo’s compact transverse V8 produces 311 horsepower and 325
lb/ft of torque.
• The engine range also includes an entirely new six-cylinder injection
engine with a displacement of 3.2 litres and 235 horsepower, with 236 lb/ft of torque.
•
The all new S80 is also available with All Wheel Drive, as well as the active Four-C chassis (Continuously Controlled
Chassis Concept).
“We’re enhancing our competitiveness in the USA with a V8 in this segment
– a must in order to succeed. And similarly in Europe, a really strong diesel alternative is most
important,” says Fredrik Arp. “We must capitalize on the leverage we garnered from the first-generation S80
and the XC90, which have made us an established and highly respected brand in the premium segment,” he asserts.
World-class safety
As with any Volvo car, the focal point is
safety. With a new patented structure and new active safety systems, the all new S80 ushers in a new era for world
class safety. The all new S80 is the first Volvo model with Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning and Brake
Support – taking active safety applications to the next level. With the next generation S80, Volvo is positioned
to challenge the very best in the segment by offering refined Scandinavian luxury and unsurpassed safety
refinements.
*
*
*
*
*
The all new Volvo S80 – chassis
Advanced technology provides premium driving experience
• Highly advanced body structure boasts exceptional torsional rigidity
• Active chassis helps improve the driving properties, whatever the situation
• All-Wheel Drive power distribution ensures the best possible roadholding
• Adjustable power steering and electronic parking brake makes road life easier for the
driver
The all new Volvo S80 has been developed to provide a superior experience behind the wheel.
Body
rigidity and an optional active chassis contribute to excellent driving dynamics. Three distinct chassis settings allow
the driver to alter the cars’ personality to suit personal tastes.
And, to facilitate optimal power
efficiency and roadholding in all situations the V8 model is equipped with Volvo’s All-Wheel Drive system.
The entire car, not just the driveline, has been developed and honed to provide a driving experience of
absolute premium calibre. The entirely new body features a highly-advanced structure with exceptional torsional
rigidity, which not only contributes to excellent deformation properties in case of a collision, is also crucial to
good driving properties.
In addition, the chassis has been developed to ensure even more stability,
predictability and controlled behavior on the road. A great deal of attention has also been invested in the suspension
system and engine installation, reaping the benefits of an uncompromisingly comfortable drive and ride.
Active chassis with Four-C – and three choices
The all new Volvo S80 with a V8 or in-line six-cylinder
engine can be optionally specified with an active chassis based on Volvo’s Four-C technology (Continuously
Controlled Chassis Concept). This is an advanced self-adjusting chassis system that uses a number of sensors to
continuously monitor the cars’ behavior. The dampers can readjust to the current driving situation in a mere
fraction of a second.
Four-C modifies the chassis setting to suit the cars’ speed (the higher the
speed – the greater the damping). As a result, the car remains easy to control even at higher speeds. This
technology also reduces the cars’ tendency to squat, dip or roll under firm acceleration, hard braking or quick
steering maneuvers.
“The active chassis adds an extra dimension to the driving pleasure,” says
Silvia Güllsdorf, S80 Project Director at Volvo Cars. “The driving properties improve whatever the
situation. Progress is both safer and more entertaining.”
The current Four-C system ups the ante from
the previous S80 model and now offers three alternative chassis settings instead of the previous two. The driver simply
presses a button to alter the cars’ personality to suit his or her personal tastes.
• COMFORT optimizes suspension settings for relaxed driving, with gentle, harmonious body
movements
• SPORT provides more controlled body movements, faster steering response and
added road contact
• ADVANCED minimizes damper movement and maximizes contact between the
tires and the surface of the road – a setting for enthusiastic driving on smooth tarmac.
In an
emergency situation, however, it makes no difference which alternative the driver has selected. Four-C always reacts to
help the driver by automatically stabilizing the car.
All-Wheel Drive
The V8 model of the
all new Volvo S80 is equipped with Volvo’s advanced All-Wheel Drive system. With the help of an electronically
controlled hydraulic clutch, All-Wheel Drive distributes the power between the front and rear wheels to ensure the best
possible road handling, in all situations. The latest version of the system features Instant Traction, which seamlessly
switches power from the front to the rear wheels when starting off on a slippery or loose surface.
The All-Wheel
Drive system has been beefed up to be compatible with the powerful new engines.
Adjustable power steering
Speed-sensitive power steering is an option in the new Volvo S80. The system provides more power assistance at
low speeds, to make parking easier for example. The power assistance gradually declines as road speed increases,
disappearing entirely at high cruising speeds.
In addition, the level of power assist ance can now be adjusted by
way of the cars’ information and set-up system. Power steering assistance can be set at one of three levels, to
provide customized level of road feel and steering feedback.
Power Parking Brake
To assist from a
standing start on an uphill gradient, V8 versions of the all new Volvo S80 are equipped with an intelligent
electronically operated Power Parking Brake. This makes taking off far easier for the driver. If the parking brake is
engaged at a stop light, for instance, it is automatically released as the car moves off.
S80 cars without Power
Parking Brake have a pedal-operated parking brake.
DSTC fitted as standard
DSTC (Dynamic
Stability and Traction Control) is fitted as standard in the all new Volvo S80. DSTC is a stabilization system which
reduces the engine’s torque and applies suitable braking force to help reduce the risk of a skid, when
necessary.
“Each one of these systems contributes to both safer driving and greater driving
pleasure,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “The systems in concert in the all new Volvo S80 offers a
particularly high-class driving experience, whatever the driving conditions.”
The all new Volvo S80
– drivelines
Performance and driving comfort in the premium class
• The world’s most compact V8 engine
• All new, transverse,
six-cylinder, in-line engine
With the all new Volvo S80, Volvo Cars further reinforces its position in the
prestigious premium car segment.
A powerful, impressive-sounding V8 engine and an entirely new,
extremely compact, in-line six offer top-class performance and driving comfort.
Like other Volvo cars,
the Volvo S80 is designed for a transverse engine and front-wheel drive or All-Wheel Drive. An engine transversely
mounted results in an engine compartment with an increased crumple zone for deformation in the event of a collision,
and also helps create a spacious passenger compartment. With a generous measure of creativity and advanced engine
technology, Volvo has successfully fitted the larger six-cylinder and V8 engines transversely.
First Volvo
sedan with V8 power
The all new Volvo S80 is the first Volvo sedan to be powered by the compact, transverse
V8 engine, initially launched in the 2005 Volvo XC90. A unique design with a slim 60-degree angle between the cylinder
banks makes this an extremely compact V8 engine. And by reversing the traditional offset of the cylinders and placing
the left row ahead of the right, the engine has the optimum shape for fitting into the car’s body structure.
Furthermore, the entire engine is made of aluminium, resulting in low weight and good fuel economy. A counter-rotating
balancer shaft reduces noise, vibration, and harshness.
In addition to being efficient, the V8 engine is
immensely powerful. With 4.4 liters of displacement, output is rated at 311 bhp and no less than 325 lb/ft of torque
for the power and high-speed performance needed for particularly enthusiastic driving. For everyday driving, over 85%
of peak of torque is available from 2000 RPM.
“With a powerful V8 in the S80, we can reach out to the
most discerning customers,” says Derek Crabb, Vice President Powertrain at Volvo Cars. “In the prestige
class, there are many buyers who would never consider any other engine alternative.”
Equally notable
the Volvo engine is one of the cleanest V8s on the market.
Four catalytic converters – two of which are
positioned close to the engine – and a highly advanced engine management system contribute to quick start-up of
the filtration process thus reducing exhaust emissions to a minimum (which satisfies ULEV II and Euro 4
requirements).
In order to further improve fuel economy, the V8 engine is equipped with a variable camshaft timing
as well as a variable intake system.
New six-cylinder in-line engine – two engines in one
Together
with the all new Volvo S80, Volvo Cars is launching an entirely new high-efficiency six-cylinder in-line engine. Its
main structure is made of aluminium and has a larger displacement than its predecessor, with more power and greater
torque. The new in-line engine features an advanced valve train and a variable intake system that contribute to both
good performance and high fuel efficiency. Several innovative solutions have also made it possible to build the engine
within extremely compact dimensions.
The valve train features VCT (Variable Cam Timing) and CPS (Cam Profile
Switching) on the inlet side – two key elements in providing the engine with excellent driveability and
flexibility.
With CPS, the intake valves can be lifted to two different heights depending on engine speed
and load.
In normal driving, with normal throttle opening and low engine revs, fuel consumption is reduced, modest
while torque is sufficient to provide good driveability.
For more enthusiastic driving that involves full throttle
opening and high engine revs, throttle response is heightened and provides a massive thrust of power, both at low and
at high speeds.
“In principle, Cam Profile Switching creates two engines in one,” explains Derek
Crabb. “We can unite widely differing demands on one and the same engine and easily meet the requirements of
customers with entirely different driving styles. Our focus is just as much on satisfying customers who prioritize
performance as those who are more interested in driving comfort and fuel economy.”
VIS (Variable Intake
System) consists of two throttle flap valves which adjust the intake manifold volume to suit the current driving
situation.
“With the Variable Intake System we can exploit the engine’s capacity to the maximum and
extract the maximum power possible throughout the entire rev range,” says Derek Crabb.
Like the V8 engine,
the six-cylinder engine is mated to a six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission allowing the driver to change gears
manually.
Compact format contributes to impressive collision safety
Despite the engine’s 3.2
liter displacement, it has extremely compact exterior dimensions. The complete engine package is only 1/10th of an inch
longer than Volvo’s five-cylinder engine. The total engine length is 25 inches.
“A compact format is a
matter of safety,” explains Derek Crabb. “It is particularly important that the engine takes up minimal
longitudinal space in the vehicle. The way we see it, a compact transversely installed engine is the best way of
reducing the risk of intrusion into the passenger compartment in a collision.”
The engine’s compact
format has been achieved by locating the ancillaries, such as the power-assisted steering pump and air conditioning
compressor, behind the engine in the space above the gearbox. Consequently, there is no front-end drive of the
ancillaries. Instead they are driven via gears by the rear end of the crankshaft. This engineering solution is known as
READ – Rear End Ancillary Drive. The alternator is direct-driven and installed on the engine block. This solution
means that the entire engine and transmission package takes up minimum space, particularly in the car’s
longitudinal direction.
By designing the drive system in the form of a small gearbox with an intermediate shaft
inside the driveshaft – known as a Shaft in Shaft design – it was possible to ensure a very short package.
The two shafts are driven by different gears that give them different speeds (one speed for camshaft drive and one for
the ancillaries).
“It’s a particularly compact solution that is the result of highly advanced
development work,” explains Derek Crabb.
Engine noise is minimized in the passenger cabin by using a
vibration damper, which is integrated into the six-cylinder engine’s relatively long crankshaft.
“All
told, the new six-cylinder engine offers a premium experience in every respect,” comments Derek Crabb in
referencing the engine’s performance, fuel efficiency, driving comfort, as well as its sound. The fact that the
engine’s design also helps enhance safety isn’t something the customer usually thinks about but it is
naturally a key element in a Volvo product concept,” he adds.
Engine range – petrol
Engine Configuration Power bhp Torque lb/ft
4.4 V8 V8 311 325
3.2 I6
I6 235 236
All new Volvo S80 – Preventive Safety
Advanced
driving systems contribute
to increased Safety
• A new generation of driving
and support systems helps the driver to make the right decision
• BLIS and IDIS make it
easier to control the driving situation
• Active Bi-Xenon Light follows the bends in the
road
• New advanced functions help shorten the braking distance
The all new
Volvo S80 ushers in a new generation of advanced driving and support systems that interact intelligently. The results:
safer driving characteristics and greater comfort. While driving at night, swivel headlights serve to improve the
driver’s range of vision. And from outside of the vehicle, S80 owners will be able to detect possible intruders
in the car, from a distance.
There’s no question that the most effective way to protect occupants of a car
is collision avoidance. That’s why when Volvo Cars set about developing the new S80 model, helping drivers to
avoid accidents was a clear-cut starting point. To achieve the company’s uncompromising safety objectives an
entirely new generation of advanced driving and support systems was developed, some of which have been presented
previously as prototypes.
“Our preventive safety systems are not designed to take over the driving nor the
driver’s responsibility,” says Silvia Güllsdorf, S80 Project Director at Volvo Cars. “The aim is
to help the driver to make the correct decision in difficult situations by issuing a warning and in different ways
indicate how to deal with the situation.”
Adaptive Cruise Control
To help the driver
maintain distance to the car in front, Volvo Cars developed the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC). At first glance, the ACC
may be viewed as a comfort function but upon further review the system actually contributes to more controlled driving
when traffic flow is uneven. This technology also forms the basis for several of the new safety systems.
The
Adaptive Cruise Control uses a radar sensor to continuously measure the distance to vehicles ahead and automatically
adapts the speed of the car to help ensure a safe distance.
The driver activates the cruise control, setting the
desired maximum speed at between 20 and 125 mph and chooses the minimum time interval to vehicles in front. There are
five different time intervals to choose from.
“As the Adaptive Cruise Control handles part of the routine
driving operations the driver can focus further ahead,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “A driver that has
greater foresight often drives with greater margins for safety.”
Collision Warning with Brake
Support
Rear-end collisions are a common type of accident. The most common reason: the driver was distracted and
failed to react in time.
In the light of this, Volvo Cars has developed Collision Warning with Brake Support (CW).
This advanced system with its support functions helps to avoid rear-end collisions, or minimize the effect of such a
collision.
The area in front of the car is monitored continuously with the aid of a radar sensor. The system is
activated in different ways at different phases throughout the whole course of events.
If the driver approaches
another moving vehicle from the rear and the driver does not react, a red warning light flashes on the windscreen. At
the same time, an audible signal can be heard. In certain situations this is sufficient for the driver to react and
avoid the hazard.
If the risk of a collision increases, despite the warning, the brake support is activated. To
shorten the reaction time the brake pads are placed against the discs. The brake pressure is also reinforced
hydraulically, ensuring effective braking irrespective of the pressure applied to the brake pedal.
“If the
rate of speed is not too great the brake support will help reduce the effect of a collision,” says Silvia
Güllsdorf while reinforcing that the driver’s reactions are always crucial to the outcome.
If a driver
brakes hard, the brake lights will flash to warn drivers in on-coming traffic. Hazard warning lights are also
activated, when the speed is reduced to less than 20 mph. There are three sensitivity settings on the warning system to
adapt to different conditions and individual driving styles. The sensitivity can be regulated in the car’s setting
menu.
Advanced information systems contribute to better driver control
The all new Volvo S80 is also
equipped with BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) and IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System), two systems that
will help the driver to maintain better control over a variety of driving situations.
With the aid of cameras
beside the door mirrors, BLIS registers if another vehicle is in the blind spot alongside the car. In such a situation
a warning light beside the mirror is activated to alert the driver, improving the scope to make the correct
decision.
IDIS is an electronic information management system that minimizes driver distracted in stressful
situations. By continuously checking certain functions in the car, such as wheel movements, movement of the accelerator
pedal, indicator control and braking, IDIS can assess the complexity of the situation. The information is processed and
at a certain level any information that is not crucial to safety, such as an incoming telephone call or a text message,
is delayed.
Active Bi-Xenon Light – swivelling headlights
To produce an optimal range of vision
when driving in the dark on winding roads, Volvo Cars has launched the Active Bi-Xenon Light – swivelling
headlights that follow the bends in the road. Road situations are measured and analyzed using a mini-processor which
then optimizes the lighting. The headlights can be swivelled by up to 15 degrees in each direction, totalling 30
degrees, and thus have the capacity to illuminate a longer distance when the road is winding. To save wear on the
system, this function is disconnected automatically in daylight.
The angle of the headlights adjusts to variables
such as vehicle load, acceleration, and braking to help reduce the risk of blinding oncoming road users The headlights
are cleaned by means of an electro-mechanical, high-pressure system that washes one headlight at a time, always
offering the best possible light.
Brakes with new, advanced deceleration functions
The all new Volvo
S80 has a highly advanced braking system with several new functions that interact to ensure the shortest possible
braking distance in all situations.
HYDRAULIC BRAKE ASSIST (HBA) is a new generation of Volvo’s panic
brake assistant. It helps the driver to brake in the shortest possible distance in an emergency. As opposed to earlier
systems, which are based purely on vacuum, the braking pressure is also reinforced hydraulically. In an emergency
situation where the driver does not press the brake pedal sufficiently hard, HBA helps to ensure the ABS system is used
optimally and the braking distance shortened.
OPTIMISED HYDRAULIC BRAKES (OHB) reinforces the braking
capacity in conjunction with hard braking by using hydraulics to compensate for low vacuum pressure in the brake
servo.
READY ALERT BRAKES (RAB) can predict rapid braking and thus place the brake pads against the brake
discs even before the driver presses the brake pedal. In doing so, the braking system’s reaction time – and
braking distance – is reduced. The signal to the braking system could be that the accelerator pedal is released
quickly or that the Adaptive Cruise Control registers an obstacle in front of the car.
FADING BRAKE SUPPORT
(FBS) uses hydraulics to gradually build up the braking pressure in conjunction with persistently hard braking to help
reduce the risk of wear and retained pedal feeling.
Self-Supporting Tires and Tire Pressure Monitoring
System
There are places where a puncture is particularly unwelcome. With reinforced tires – Self-Supporting
Tires – the driver can continue driving to a more secure place where the tire can be changed. The optional
Self-Supporting Tires available on the all new Volvo S80 are made with extra thick tire walls to prevent the tire from
collapsing. The tire is designed to be driven up to 50 miles at a maximum speed of 50 mph following a puncture.
Self-Supporting Tires are combined with the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), that warns of low pressure
in the tires. Each tire is fitted with a combination sensor/transmitter that registers when the pressure falls below a
certain level and transmits a signal to a control unit. Information text and a warning light warns the driver.
All new Volvo S80 – Protective safety
Advanced, holistic safety technology
for the all new
Volvo S80
• Patented front structure with a high-energy absorption capacity
• Compact, transverse engines with space for effective deformation
• Side impact airbags with separate chest and hip chambers
• Next
generation WHIPS whiplash protection system
• Pedestrian impact protection for reduced risk
of injury
The all new Volvo S80 has been developed to be one of the safest cars in its class, with a
sophisticated network of interacting safety systems. The patented front structure absorbs energy effectively. The
interior protection system has been developed further with a new generation of side impact airbags and whiplash
protection.
The all new Volvo S80 has been built to provide a high level of protection in various
types of collisions. The first vehicle to achieve 5-star crash ratings in the United States builds on Volvo’s
safety tradition. “The next generation S80 features a patented advanced body structure, offering high torsion
rigidity which very effectively contributes to impact energy absorption,” says Silvia Güllsdorf, S80 Project
Director at Volvo Cars.
Deformation zones and different grades of steel
The patented front body
structure in the all new Volvo S80 has been divided into zones, each with a different task during the deformation
process. The outer zones are responsible for most of the deformation. The closer the collision forces get to the
passenger compartment the less the material deforms.
To give each zone the correct properties, the steel
grades have been varied. Four different grades of steel are used. Apart from conventional bodywork steel, three
different grades of high-strength steel are strategically placed: High Strength Steel, Extra High Strength Steel and
Ultra High Strength Steel.
“With the zone system we can make maximum use of the properties of the
material to ensure the best energy absorption,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “The aim is for the passenger
compartment to be preserved predictably in variety of collision scenarios.”
LOW-SPEED DEFORMATION ZONE
The front bumper incorporates a rigid crossmember made of Ultra High-Strength Steel. The attachments to the
body’s longitudinal members are designed in the form of “crash boxes”. These help absorb the forces
in a low-speed collision without damage to the other parts of the body structure.
HIGH-SPEED DEFORMATION
ZONE
The straight parts of the longitudinal members are made of High-Strength Steel, a very ductile steel that is
optimized for high-energy absorption. This zone accounts for most of the deformation.
BACK-UP ZONE
The
section of the crossmember that turns outward towards the A-pillars act as a barrier to help protect the passenger
compartment, serving as a back-up to reduce deformation. The design also contributes to minimize the risk of the front
wheel penetrating the passenger compartment. Instead, the wheel helps to absorb the collision forces. This section is
very rigid and is made of Extra High-Strength Steel.
THREE-WAY ATTACHMENT
A rigid side member links the
A-pillars and the lower side members so that they form an extremely rigid three-way attachment on each side. The design
contributes significantly to protecting the passenger compartment in a serious collision.
Compact,
transverse engines contribute to crash safety
As with other Volvo cars the all new Volvo S80 features a transverse
driveline and front-wheel drive. The transverse mounting gives the engine a greater deformation capacity in the engine
compartment and contributes to reducing the risk of penetrating the passenger compartment in a frontal collision.
The larger six- and eight-cylinder engines in the new S80 are both transversely mounted, thanks to an
extremely compact format and effective packing in the engine compartment.
“There is a great
deal of creativity and advanced engine technology behind these solutions,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “For
instance, we have succeeded in making the new six-cylinder in-line engine almost as short as our five-cylinder
engine.”
Side impact airbags and doubly adapted pressure
A new type of side collision airbag
elevates the patented Volvo SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) to become even more effective.
The
new side impact airbags have two separate chambers – one for the hips and one for the chest. As the hips can
withstand greater forces than the chest, the lower chamber can be inflated to a pressure that is up to five times
higher than in the upper chamber.
The side impact airbags interact with the inflatable curtains and
the body’s crossmember structure to offer the most effective protection possible.
Both the
sills as well as the B-pillars have been reinforced to reduce the risk of penetrating the passenger compartment. Among
other things, an extra steel profile has been placed inside the sill member.
New WHIPS generation
The
Volvo system for avoiding soft tissue and neck injuries – WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System) – is one of
the most effective on the market. In a serious rear-end collision the front seat back support and head restraint follow
the movement of the body, suppressing the forces in roughly the same way as when catching a ball.
The
WHIPS mechanism has now been developed even further, making the ‘catching’ action even more compliant and
contributing to even better contact between head and head restraint throughout the whole process.
Protection for other road users
The all new Volvo S80 safety developments also include protection for
pedestrians and cyclists. The front has energy-absorbing features, including a well-proportioned, soft structure in
front of the bumper. This helps to counteract the risk of leg injuries. In addition, the lower edge of the spoiler has
been reinforced and moved forward, almost in line with the bumper. The aim is for the load, on a leg for example, to be
distributed evenly over a greater area to reduce the risk of injury.
The shape of the hood has been
raised and underneath a honeycomb structure distributes the load on impact. In doing so, the design contributes to
absorbing the forces and reducing the risks of injury.
Also built for children
The all new Volvo S80
has, like other Volvo cars, been developed with children in mind. The safety structure of the body and the interior
protection system have been designed and dimensioned to also help protect the very young.
Other
safety solutions in the all new Volvo S80
• A collapsible steering wheel, which
during deformation is moved horizontally for the best possible interaction with the airbag
• Pedals with a collapse function
• Airbags with a dual-stage
function
• Seatbelt pretensioners for all five seating positions
• Seatbelt reminder for all five seating positions
• Force
limiters for the front seatbelts
• Reinforced, transversely mounted pipe between the
A-pillars (contributes to side impact protection)
• Reinforced and rigid SIPS pipes in the
seats and a deformable steel box in the center of the car
• Diagonally mounted crossmembers
made of Ultra High Strength Steel in the doors
The all new Volvo S80 – audio, phone and navigation
systems
Audio and communication systems of premium luxury class
• Digital
technology contributes to natural sound reproduction
• Dolby Pro Logic II Surround with
adjustable audio profile
• World-renowned loudspeakers from Dynaudio
• MP3 and WMA formats
• Handsfree with cell phone and Bluetooth
• Faster Navigation
The all new Volvo S80 has been designed to provide a total
experience of unparalleled quality – luxury with Scandinavian touches in design, function, comfort and, not least,
audio excellence. With help from some of the most outstanding audio manufacturers in the world, Volvo Cars has
developed a premier sound system for its new prestige model. The digital amplifier from Alpine and the Dolby Pro Logic
II Surround system integrate with technologically advanced loudspeakers from Denmark’s Dynaudio to produce an
incomparable audio experience.
“This car offers excellent attributes for high-class sound
reproduction,” says Silvia Güllsdorf, S80 Project Director at Volvo Cars. “High-quality materials, a
well-dimensioned interior and effective sound-damping material contributes to a particularly favourable audio
environment. The Volvo audio systems are among the very best available in the automotive world.”
Digital technology contributes to natural sound profile
Using advanced digital technology, audio reproduction is
optimized to match integrated into the shape of the passenger compartment and the strategic location of the
loudspeakers. With DSP (Digital Signal Processing), the tone curve has been finely tuned to create authentic, quality
sound.
Developed with Alpine, Volvo’s digital class D amplifier features high efficiency and
low current consumption. This means it produces less heat than an analogue amplifier and it can be made more
compact.
Volvo’s amplifier also has a very high attenuation rate, thanks to ICEPower®
technology from Danish experts Bang & Olufsen PowerHouse a/s. This system contributes to the clear and powerful
sound all the way down to the deepest bass tones.
Automatic volume and tone adjustment
Thanks to the
use of digital technology, the sound can be adjusted to suit driving conditions as they change – automatically
adjusting not only volume but also tone to match the car’s speed. The car’s menu system opens up a range of
possibilities – catering to individual preferences, including accommodations for road speed. There are three
levels to choose between: low, medium, and high.
Two performance levels
The all new Volvo S80 is
available with a choice of audio system levels:
• High Performance – with 4×40
W amplifier and eight loudspeakers
• Premium Sound – with 5×130 W digital amplifier,
Dolby® Pro Logic II Surround and up to twelve loudspeakers.
Dolby Pro Logic II Surround with individual
adjustment of audio profile
Volvo Cars was the first auto manufacturer with a factory-fitted audio system
featuring Dolby® Pro Logic Surround. The relationship dates back to 1997, when Dolby technology was introduced in
the first-generation Volvo C70. Pro Logic Surround was developed to produce natural-sounding multi-channel audio
reception. Dolby’s latest generation in surround sound technology, Dolby Pro Logic II Surround, is offered in the
all new Volvo S80. The system is 5.1-channel, offering a broad audio profile to the front seats and genuine stereo
effect and full bandwidth to the rear seats. What’s more, the sound from the front and rear loudspeakers blends
smoothly to create pleasing audio immersion.
Contributing to the best possible individual sound
experience, the Premium Sound system has a new adjustment option. The audio profile can be optimized for the best
possible sound experience with three orientations – the driver’s seat, both front seats, or the rear seats.
These settings are made via the car’s information system in the trim center stack.
“This
is a good way to avoid compromise on sound quality,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “A driver traveling alone
in the car can adjust the sound system entirely to suit his or her personal tastes. The system is capable of delivering
crisp quality sound regardless of how many passengers are in the car.”
Loudspeakers from
Dynaudio of Denmark
The loudspeakers in the all new Volvo S80 are of exceptional quality, in every respect. The
Premium Sound system loudspeakers are from Denmark’s renowned Dynaudio®, with whom Volvo has long enjoyed
close cooperation.
“We both share the same uncompromising attitude toward audio quality,”
explains Silvia Güllsdorf. “Together, we have acquired in-depth knowledge about the effect a car’s
interior can have on sound. The result is a truly high-class audio reproduction. That is why we’re also placing
the Dynaudio logotype on the instrument panel of the all new Volvo S80 – it represents a crowning achievement for
both our companies.”
The front doors have well-dimensioned, three-way loudspeakers. The rear
doors feature two-way loudspeakers, including a tweeter element, and a combination bass and intermediate register
element, with powerful cones. The tweeter element is made of a textile known as ‘a silk dome tweeter’
– a Dynaudio speciality – that helps create a more crystal-clear sound. Each loudspeaker is constructed
with a passive crossover filter, providing a harmonious total sound experience with the best possible bandwidth and
dynamism.
A specially developed center loudspeaker atop the instrument panel works together with the
door loudspeakers to create a natural, homogeneous sound profile.
“We are very proud of the
audio experience we can offer in the all new Volvo S80,” says Silvia Güllsdorf. “It’s easy to
forget that you’re actually in a car, and not in a concert hall.”
Plays MP3 format
With
the High Performance and Premium Sound systems, it is now possible to play CDs with music in MP3 or WMA format. This
means that the CD changer can store several hundred music tracks, giving the driver access to large parts of his or her
home music library, in the car.
In addition, all the audio systems now feature an extra input (AUX)
for connection of additional equipment such as a portable MP3 player.
In order to further enhance the
quality of radio reception, the FM radio utilizes a system know as Scanning Diversity which takes advantage of three
antennas, which interact with each other to provide the best possible reception.
Cell phone in the car with
Bluetooth wireless hands-free function
In the all new Volvo S80, it will be possible to use a regular cell phone
in combination with the car’s loudspeakers – wirelessly – courtesy of Bluetooth® technology.
After the Bluetooth system has been activated, the car’s phone module detects and registers the cell phone, then
automatically links it to the car’s own system. Once registered, it operates as part of the integrated handsfree
system. SMS text messages and other information can be read in the car’s information display and incoming phone
calls automatically mute the sound from the audio system.
With Bluetooth and a regular cell phone,
you always have access to the same phone directory. Furthermore, several phones can easily be linked to the same
network so that everyone using the car can have his or her own phone connected. However, only one phone is prioritized
for automatic activation at a time.
“In this way, you are truly mobile,” says Silvia
Güllsdorf. “No switching between different phones and no delay when getting out of the car. And you
don’t need to stay seated in your parked car just because you’re in the middle of a handsfree call. You
simply pick up the call on your cell phone and leave the car, continuing your conversation without interruption.”
New generation Volvo Navigation System
Volvo’s Navigation System has been further refined in a
number of ways. There is a wider range of maps and there are now three DVD discs for the USA, where Hawaii and Canada
have been added. The contents have also been updated with the latest roads, restaurants and hotels.
The system has been further enhanced with a new processor, which among other things makes for far faster route
searching than before. Furthermore, new information such as the national flag and facts about the country, speed limits
and rules governing phone use while driving all appear on the screen whenever you cross a national border.
“Convenient and functional systems give the new Volvo S80 owner simpler, more comfortable travel,”
says Silvia Güllsdorf. “And it is made all the more user-friendly with larger controls, easy to read
displays and logical interfaces. These aren’t simply there for added comfort,, ease of use also means added
safety on the road.”
All new Volvo S80 – Executive concept
All new Volvo S80
Executive with enhanced prestige
• Tasteful, Scandinavian elegance
• Luxurious interior with high-quality leather and walnut-coloured wood
• Integrated DVD system and refrigerator as options
• Powerful,
energy-efficient engines
With the on-sale date of the all new Volvo S80, which will be presented for the
first time in Geneva on February 28, the car will also offer consumers a prestigious Executive model.
Unique details and rich content will reinforce Volvo Cars’ position in the prestige automotive segment.
The all new Volvo S80 is the most exclusive Volvo sedan model to date. The Executive model represents a
very competitive alternative for customers who value refined, Scandinavian elegance in combination with contemporary
engineering, and who are looking for a little extra luxury to enhance the experience. They are customers with strict
demands for a thoughtful design, sophisticated comfort and detail with intelligently engineered functions.
“It is our aim that Executive customers will appreciate the extra thought,” says Karin Falk,
President Special Vehicles at Volvo Cars. “We really have made an effort to strike the right balance between
attractiveness and functionality in order to provide a high-class experience that satisfies all the senses.”
Exclusive exterior with unique parts
The Executive badge is a discreet indication that this is an S80
beyond the norm. Among the exterior details that give the all new Volvo S80 Executive a more exclusive character are
the uniquely coloured grille and the chrome sections on the air intake and around the fog-lights. Even the lower door
mouldings and rear lights have chrome trim.
Four of the seven alternative exterior colours are pearl
finishes with a very elegant lustre. The exclusive, turbine-like eighteen-inch Balius wheel is an option and adds yet
another dimension to the feeling of exclusivity.
First-class passenger compartment with leather and wood
Ergonomic seats and elegant door panels clad in soft Executive leather in four optional colour combinations and with
Classic cut contribute to the distinct first-class feeling in the passenger compartment. The combinations have been
selected to provide an exclusive contrast. The walnut panels are standard and cover the centre console and the
rear-facing portion of the tunnel console.
Specially designed, extra thick carpets reinforce the
sober impression. The opportunity to install a fridge in the rear seat, combined with storage space for glasses, also
contributes to the enhanced feeling of luxury and comfort.
As an option, there is an advanced
entertainment system for rear seat passengers (Rear Seat Entertainment – RSE). An integrated DVD player, 7-inch
screens built into the head restraints, wireless headphones and a remote control are included in the system. An extra
socket makes it possible to connect a second DVD player, a game console or a video camera. The two 7-inch screens can
be used independently of each other.
Powerful driveline
The engine range for the Executive model
includes the powerful V8 engine as well as Volvo’s new six-cylinder in-line engine. All are powerful,
energy-efficient, extremely compact and mounted transversely in the engine compartment for optimum safety and a
spacious passenger compartment.
Petrol engines
Engine Configuration
Output bhp Torque lb/ft
4.4 V8
V8
311 325
3.2
I6 I6
235
236
Descriptions and facts in this
press material relate to Volvo Cars’ international car range.
Vehicle specifications may vary from one
country to another and may be altered without prior notification.