S80 gets bent eight

Newswheel staff :: 02 November 2005 :: Filed under Four wheel drive, Saloon, Volvo, Volvo S80, Europe & UK, US

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Volvo flagship to hum V8 tune

Volvo is getting serious about taking on the big German brands. Reports that the next S80, due to be unveiled at the Geneva motorshow in March, will pack V8 power have reached critical mass.

UK mag Auto Express has the skinny on the new Volvo range topper, including the revelation that V8 power will be an option for the first time on a Volvo saloon (the XC90 SUV is available with V8 power in the US). We’ve also dug up some images of the new beast. The new S80 is expected to retain the existing model’s tranverse-front engine installation, so it’s perhaps no surprise to see and “AWD” badge below those “V8” numerals on the car’s posterior. It’s extremely likely the engine will be the same Yamaha-sourced narrow angle V8 fitted to the XC90 for North American markets. 315bhp through the front wheels alone would not be a terribly good idea.

A V8 certainly makes for an interesting addition to the S80 range. But we’ve a feeling it won’t be quite enough to close the gap, in terms of driving dynamics, with the best German barges.

Linkage:
Auto Express story (no pics)