For years, many car enthusiasts mused that Volvo must be the Scandinavian word for “boxy,” though just as many Volvo supporters would opt for a definition of “unbreakable.” Volvo, which began building cars in 1927, is actually Latin for "I roll.”
The “unbreakable” reputation still holds, as Volvo continues to produce solid, reliable transportation, but the rip for manufacturing boxy cars no longer holds true, as imagination, inspiration and pleasing curves now permeate the Volvo line with such attractive rides as the 2008 Volvo S80 T6, in which the “S” stands for sedan and the “T6” is for turbo-charged inline-6-cylinder engine.
The second-generation Volvo flagship, the S80, was all-new in 2007, but the big news for 2008 is its emphasis on performance by way of a turbocharged T6 AWD in-line-six engine. The turbo’d S80 is the middle-brother in a line-up of three that includes a normally aspirated 3.2 V-6 and an AWD V-8 model.
The 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbo purrs out 281 horses and a powerful 291 lbs.-ft. of torque at a low rev rate of 1500rpm. The set-up is linked to a Geartronic 6-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift logic. That 24-valve set-up is silent and proficient as I was able to blaze to a quiet 6.5-second zero-to-60mph run. That’s pretty quick for a 3825-lb. vehicle with 61 percent in front, which suits the front-wheel-drive Volvo well. A broad, flat torque curve kept power available in all ranges, and I was able to punch it for a 15-second quarter-mile. The system is EPA rated at 15/city and 23/highway, and my seven days of testing along the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Maryland and West Virginia netted me an average of 22.1mpg, with highway driving making up about two-thirds of the test.
My 466 Berents Blue Metallic test car handled confidently, thanks to front independent strut suspension with anti-rollbar and anti-dive geometry, fully independent rear multi-link suspension, 4-wheel power-assisted ventilated disk brakes with anti-lock braking system, electronic brake distribution, electronic brake assistance, ready-alert brakes and power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering.
Power might be what sells this car, but safety is what differentiates it from the competition the 2008 Volvo S80 has been named one of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s safest cars on the road for superior overall crash protections citing interior safety and preventive safety excellence.
Its air bag set up is exemplary, led by a new side-impact design that takes advantage of Volvo's patented SIPS (Side Impact Protection System) that catches and restrains occupant movement during an incident. The new side impact airbags feature two separate inflation chambers - one at hip height and one at chest height inflated at separate pressures. The bags work in concert with inflatable curtains and the body's network of beams to reduce acceleration loads on the human body. The vehicle also has side impact head protection front and rear, dual chamber side impact airbags, and a three-piece steering column designed to pivot up and collapse away from the driver.
Safety and security items also include dynamic and stability traction control, tire pressure monitoring system, unibody construction with integral high-strength steel passenger safety cages, adaptive steering wheel column, dual ISOFIX LATCH attachment system, padded head restraints, safe approach and home safe perimeter lighting, immobilizer anti-theft ignition, security system with back up battery for siren and integrated front and rear foglights.
Preventive measures include radar-sensor Adaptive Cruise Control, Collision Warning with Brake Support to reduce the risk of frontal impact, and Blind Spot Identification System that alerts the driver is another vehicle is in the offset rear blind spot along either side of the car.
Outside, the architecture is curvy and pleasing making its dimensions (length 191 inches, width 73.3 and height 58.8 on a wheelbase of 111.6 inches) a genuine looker. 17-inch "Canicula" alloy wheels with 225/50R-17 tires and dual tailpipes finish off the look.
Interior dimensions are roomy and include headroom of 37.8 inches up front and 38.3 in row two, legroom of 41.9 and 35.0 and shoulder room of 57.4 and 56.3. Trunk capacity is 14.9 cubic ft. Comfort and convenience amenities include a power glass moonroof, leather covered seating, steering wheel and gearshift knob, modern wood inlays, watch dial instrument cluster, electric parking brake, 8-way power driver and front passenger seats with remote memory, dual-zone climate control and push button start.
Audio equipment, entertainment and climate upgrades make this a very secure, user-friendly and fun cabin.
Add-ons include the Climate Package ($875) of heated front seats, rear seats and windshield washer nozzles, rainsensor windshield wipers and high-pressure headlamp cleaning. The Dynaudio Package ($1600) consists of premium sound Dynaudio with 6-CD changer, AUX input, MP3 capability, 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound and 12 Dynaudio speakers, rear seat headphone jacks and audio controls and Sirius Satellite radio.
Those options, as well as a Metallic paint charge of $475 and destination charge of $745, raise the based price of $42,045 to a final sticker of $45,790.
The 2008 Volvo S80 T6 demonstrates that the unbreakable box has given way to an angular, safe, high-performance vehicle that is still reliable.
Visit www.CarlisleEvents.com for more on the automotive hobby.
Mike Blake, former editor of KIT CAR magazine, joined Carlisle Events as senior automotive journalist in 2004. He's been a "car guy" since the 1960s and has been writing professionally for about 30 years
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