Volvo's big sedan has been a snore, but a new 2007 model (arriving Stateside next February) attempts to rouse it with a bit more performance, more safety, and more style.
Gone is the undersized turbo five, in favor of a fine new straight six (3.2 liters, 235 bhp) and the excellent Yamaha V8 from the XC90 (4.4 liters, 311 bhp). With 325 lb-ft of torque, the V8 would probably torque-steer the S80 into the next lane every time you hit the gas, so Volvo wisely paired it with all-wheel drive. The six drives the front wheels only. Both work with a somewhat lazy-shifting six-speed automatic, which you can row yourself if you want a downshift "right now."
The new chassis again offers the optional 4C suspension with adjustable damping; new is a more hardcore, third setting: Advanced. But it's not as stiff here as it is in the S60R and V70R, where it feels as if the dampers have simply fused solid. On the gentle roads of southern Sweden, we found the firm setting entirely livable; in fact, the differences among all three positions are pretty minor. So even if your wife picks the softest setting, you won't get seasick in the passenger's seat. In fact, you might take a nap, so cushy are the S80's chairs. The S80 now also lets you select the amount of power steering assist. Choose the highest rate of effort or people will question your manliness.
Despite the changes, the S80 is still fundamentally a comfy cruiser, albeit a quicker one. Of course, the company took the opportunity to add more safety gear: A pre-collision warning system is optional (paired with adaptive cruise control), as is Volvo's BLIS blind-spot alert.
The S80's greatest change is its new look, particularly inside, where Volvo has really embraced the Scandinavian design thing. Premium materials make it work even better here than in the S40/V50. Will it be enough to wake the S80 from its showroom slumber? We'll see.