Redesigned Volvo S80: Luxury And Performance
This year was quite a tough time for Volvo. Other than Ford Motor Corp.s reported plan to have Volvo sold along with Jaguar and Land Rover in order to raise cash the sales of most of the Volvo models dropped. Its overall U.S. sales swooped by 9.9 in the first nine months of this year at 80991 units. Despite this however Volvo was able to almost double its sales of S80 at 9963 units in the first three quarters of 2007.
The competition in the market for performanceoriented luxury sedans becomes crucial as automakers continue to crowd the segment. Volvo as a secondtier brand holds up with its redesigned S80 luxury sedan. The vehicle equipped with a powerful optional V8 engine and other more pleasant features that made Volvos S80 competitive enough with popular luxury models from Infiniti BMW and Audi. The big difference is that the S80 comes at a lower price along with a cool minimalist Scandinavian interior styling.
Though the speed of the S80 sedan barely matches the BMW 535is it has the sporty feel comparable with Hondas Acura RL.
The 2007 redesigned Volvo S80 has been largely carried over for 2008 model year. Volvo has only added a third optional engine to the lineup. The frontwheeldrive base model can now be powered with a 3.2 L 235 hp inline sixcylinder engine priced at 39450. And the new T6 an allwheeldrive version can be powered by a turbocharged 3.0 L 281 hp inline sixcylinder engine priced at 43790.
Even if the S80 is equipped with the V8 engine and allwheeldrive and packed with several options it is considerably cheaper compared with the V8powered versions of its rivals: Audi A6 BMW 535i Infiniti M45 and Cadillac STS. It even outwits the Acura RL that comes with a 3.5 L V6 engine priced at 47000 to 54500. In addition the T6 is seven grand less than the S80 with V8 engine.
The Sport Package worth 2495 is offered as an optional on all versions of the S80. It has included 18inch alloy wheels and Pirelli highperformance tires biXenon headlamps speedsensitive power steering and ventilated front seats. It also comes with an electronic chassis control system that permits the alteration of suspension through a touch of a button.
The S80 also offers fair fuel economy. The 2008 model has been rated with 16 miles per gallon in city driving and 24 on the highway whereas the allwheeldrive models were rated 15 in the city and 23 in highway driving.
Volvo struggling to survive will also be releasing three new models including the XC70 crossover vehicle the boldly designed C30 hatchback and the V70 wagon in the next six months. All will be equipped with quality Volvo turn signal and other parts for optimum safety and performance.
About the writer: Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. she is a native of the Motor City and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.
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