Audiophiles will thoroughly enjoy the fully-featured S80 sound system with stereo/6-disc/MP3 and USB input.  The standard speaker system is no pushover with its 8 speaker system (9 on the 6 cylinder model), but the range-topping Dynaudio 12-speaker system will make Beethoven’s 9th Symphony an experience you’ll never forget.

Driving excitement wasn’t an S80 strong suit, but Volvo wants to rectify that this time around.  The all-new platform features a fully independent suspension with a stiffer frame.  It can be equipped with an active chassis management system called Four-C technology allowing the S80 to vary its driving characteristics either automatically or via a dash-mounted button.  17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 W-rated rubber are standard on all models.  Also fitted as standard is DSTC or Dynamic Stability Traction Control for that rare hair raising situation.  The 8 cylinder model benefits from additional rear wheel traction thanks to a full-time all-wheel drive system.

There are three engines available: one turbocharged and two normally aspirated.  The turbocharged 2.5-liter inline-5 is a carryover from the previous S80 still with 200 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque.  The same goes for the 3.2-liter inline-6 with 238 horsepower and 320 Nm of torque.  Though both of these are powerful in their own right, the biggest news is the availability of V8 for the first time.  Developed by Yamaha, the ultra-compact 4.4-liter V8 features a transverse layout (the first for a V8) enough for 315 horsepower and 440 Nm of torque.  All engines are mated to a 6-speed automatic with manual shift override.

You can’t talk about Volvos without mentioning its safety features, and the S80 has a chockfull of it.  Eight airbags including inflatable curtains (IC) along with anti-whiplash seats (WHIPS) and side-impact protection (SIPS) are standard.  Some models are equipped with Active Bi-Xenon headlamps, which allow the headlamps to move, following the curvature of the road for maximum visibility.  New for the S80 is Intelligent Driver Information System or IDIS.  This system minimizes driver distraction from needless button pressing during certain situations (i.e. delaying received calls from the car’s hands-free system).  Also standard on the S80 V8 (and an option for the rest of the range) is BLIS or Blind Spot Information System.  BLIS allows the S80 to recognize if another vehicle is in the offset rear blind spot and alerts the driver via a visual signal.

The all-new S80 is now available at Volvo Makati, Volvo Ortigas and Volvo Cebu.  The S80 2.5L retails for P 3,450,000; the S80 3.2L for P 3,795,000 and the S80 V8 for P 4,495,000.  Considering what you pay for a well-made suit nowadays, this car’s actually a bargain.  After all, while all the suits and shoes in the world will make you look good, only the Volvo S80 can make you feel good.  The fashion houses of Germany and Japan should take both take notes.

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