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S80 Sport Chassis

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Sports chassis gives enhanced driving pleasure in the Volvo S80 and customers more freedom of choice

Volvo Cars is introducing a sports chassis that is a more dynamic alternative for the refreshed Volvo S80. It offers both increased driving pleasure and crisper response.

At the same time, the comfort-enhancing standard chassis comes with even more limousine ride comfort. Customers thus have the opportunity to tailor their cars to suit their wishes - for inspired and enthusiastic driving or relaxed long-distance comfort.

"For some customers, the driving experience is what is most important, while others prioritise ride comfort," says Stefan Sällqvist, section manager for vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars. "We've thoroughly analysed what it is that characterises the different needs and accordingly designed two alternative chassis with entirely different natures."

Lower and more rigid chassis gives a sporty profile

In order to meet the wishes of S80 customers more interested in an enthusiastic driving style, Volvo has made the chassis far more rigid than before. The car has been lowered 20 millimetres at the front and 15 millimetres at the rear. This not only results in a more stable chassis, it also carves out a more powerful and compact visual profile for the car.

The springs are shorter and firmer. The shock absorbers have greater damping ability, on both compression and extension strokes. All the mountings on the sub-frame have harder bushings. The anti-roll bars have also been made firmer to give increased side stability in curves. This results in crisp steering feel and good control, particularly in more active driving. This is further aided by the steering gear which has been tailored to provide quicker response and increased feel, giving more direct contact with the tyres and road surface.

In order to provide additional stability, the sports chassis is fitted with automatic levelling as standard. It keeps the car's body parallel with the road surface whatever the driving conditions, both when fully loaded and with only the driver on board.

"The new sports chassis provides plenty of driving pleasure," says Stefan Sällqvist. "The car has a whole new character and it feels far more compact than it actually is. At the same time, however, we haven't had to sacrifice much in the way of comfort. The passengers still ride in great style but for those interested solely in a smoother ride, we have a special variant dedicated entirely to providing sumptuous ride comfort."

Comfort chassis with enhanced limousine feel

In parallel with the development of the new sports chassis, the standard chassis has been given a distinctly more comfortable nature than before, with somewhat softer springs and less damping. It is designed to offer long-distance ride comfort of absolute limousine quality, not least in the rear seat.

"One chassis has now become two," says Stefan Sällqvist. "This means we do not have to compromise, while at the same time giving our customers added choice. We have one chassis for those who really enjoy an active driving style and another for those who simply enjoy a sumptuous ride. Having said all this, however, it's really difficult to do the technology justice just by talking about it. It's all about feel. And that has to be experienced out on the road."

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Che'_Moderator Newbie

Che'_Moderator

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Its part of this

Press Information

Email Address Maria Bohlin, mbohlin1@volvocars.com

Date of issue Feb 26, 2009

The refreshed Volvo S80 - first class exclusiveness and driving properties

The refreshed Volvo S80 is the result of an intensive dialogue between Volvo Cars' project group and the discerning customers in the premium sedan segment. "We are ready to give the competition a tough match. With the new S80, we're placing the bar at the very highest level when it comes to exclusiveness, quality and driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.

The refreshed Volvo S80 is being unveiled for the very first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March and sales will start in spring 2009.

Building on great success in key markets such as Russia, Volvo Cars' large sedan model takes centre stage with far greater self-assurance than ever, the result of a more distinctive and elegant design, a more exclusive interior and a sharper chassis and upgraded engine range.

"From the outside, the refreshed S80 looks both larger and more elegant. But we've also given it a tougher face. In Germany, they talk about the "böser blick", that is to say the front of the car should look rather menacing when it fills the rear-view mirror of the car in front," explains Volvo Cars Design Director Steve Mattin. He adds:

"However, the refreshed S80 should not just be seen, it has to be experienced. The atmosphere inside is both more comfortable and luxurious, with an increased aura of craftsmanship. We've also made the interior more driver-oriented, not least with a new steering wheel and upgraded instruments. Our chassis and engine experts have made sure the driving experience is as exclusively attractive as the interior is."

Detail precision and quality materials

Steve Mattin and his team have increased the exterior's elegant charisma with a number of details that give the S80 a lower, longer and wider stance.

The front is more distinctive with a new grille featuring the larger iron mark, which is part of the more extrovert DNA of recent Volvo models. There is also new brightwork on the air intakes, lower part of the doors and under the tail lamps.

Inside the car the spotlight is on increased exclusivity and comfort. The soft, sumptuous leather seats with their matching stitching are accompanied by door panels echoing the same trim. The super-slim floating centre stack is upgraded with a silk metal frame that emphasises its original design and enhances its exclusive feel, while simultaneously creating a design link to the recently launched Volvo XC60.

The instruments in the refreshed Volvo S80 get exclusive aluminium dials and Volvo Cars is also launching a new generation of steering wheels. The décor trim with silk matte metal-effect finish on the four-spoke steering wheel is also found in the gear selector, around the starter button.

"It is the combination of a number of carefully thought-out details that together creates the overall aura. Since eight out of ten customers specify leather upholstery, the seats are a good example. Here we have focused on comfort by creating unbeatable seating and side support, accentuated further by the superb quality of the soft Scandinavian hide," says Steve Mattin.

Customers with more individual tastes will be able to select upholstery from the exclusive Executive range, which features classic and sober styles.

All-new five-cylinder diesel engines and new chassis alternatives

The driving experience in the refreshed Volvo S80 has been elevated with an entirely new twin-turbo five-cylinder 2.4-litre turbodiesel. The new D5 engine offers 205 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque over a very wide range of engine revs. Fuel consumption (EU combined) is only 6.2 l/100 km (164g/km) - a record-low figure for a car of this size and performance level. This state-of-the-art engine delivers all the fun without the headache.

The refreshed S80 is also available with an upgraded Euro 4-compliant 2.4-litre diesel engine with 175 horsepower, 420 Nm of torque, fuel consumption (EU Combined) at 5.8 l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 154 g/km (preliminary figures).

When it comes to chassis choice, Volvo Cars has developed two distinct alternatives - one with the cosseting feeling of supreme comfort and one truly dynamic for the driving pleasure soul. The comfort chassis will be offered as standard and the lowered sport chassis is offered as an option.

Hard to beat offer

The refreshed Volvo S80 enters a segment that is dominated by male customers with considerable interest in cars and with very firm expectations regarding exclusiveness, driving properties and brand image. The choice of car is often based on the individual's personal tastes and preferences, but it also has to serve as a family car.

"Customers in this segment are often very brand-loyal. In order to appear on the radar of customers currently driving competitor cars, we have to offer something that is truly extra. We do this by offering exclusiveness, comfort and driving properties of absolute top level. In combination with world-leading safety, this makes the refreshed S80 very hard to beat. A true lifestyle product," says Stephen Odell and adds:

"I would like to give those who know about the Volvo S80 but who have never driven one, a sound piece of advice. Take a closer look at this car and take it out for a thorough test drive. You'll be amazed at what we have achieved."

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Smithwicks Rookie

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Indeed but why the S80...

:huh:

S60 & C30

Even C70

Seem like better platforms for performance.

Well the C30/S40/V50 all have the r-design package which I thought included some suspension/chassis adjustments.

As for the S60, maybe when the eventual redesign comes out they will have something for it.

And Audi has a S version of the A8, so they've done something with their top end sedan as well.

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TM850R Newbie

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Honestly, other than that grille/emblem, the S80 is a sexy car. I can only imagine it was a land boat without some sport suspension on it from factory but it has to be comfortable. Its good to see Volvo actually doing something that will appeal to new car buyers. There are plenty of people that want the sport of a 5 series BMW but the comfort of a Volvo. Volvo has a good base that they should expand on. Seems like they are making the right moves now.

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