Volvo launches facelifted S80 2.5T
The second generation Volvo S80 sedan is now in the fifth year of its model cycle, having been launched in 2006. An extensive facelift was launched in 2009 to bring the model up to date with the competition. In Malaysia, models that made it to our shores are the petrol-powered 2.5T and 3.2.
However, Volvo habitually introduces updates to its models on a yearly basis, and the S80 did receive some pretty neat touch-ups for the 2010 model year. Those improvements have made it to our shores, as Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) today launched the facelifted S80 2.5T in our market.
Sold in CKD form, the 2.5T will now be the sole model of the S80 range officially sold in Malaysia. Volvo markets the S80 2.5T as the ‘fastest sedan in its class’, which in their considerations include the the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.
That is some claim, though Volvo did back it up with some muscle under the hood. The 2,521cc turbocharged inline-5 powering the S80 2.5T produces 231hp @ 4,800rpm (up from 200hp previously) and 340Nm @ 1,700 – 4,800rpm (up from 300Nm previously), which are comfortably better figures than the latest BMW 523i and Merc E 250 CGI. It sends power to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission.
Volvo personnel were also keen to point out that the S80 2.5T completes the century dash in 7.5 seconds. For the cars which they are gunning against, BMW claims 8.5 seconds for the 523i while Merc officially states 7.8 seconds for its E 250. Of course, it should be noted that the Volvo has a 2.5-litre turbocharged engine going against a naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre motor in the BMW and a blown 1.8-litre four-pot in the Mercedes.
“This is it, the most luxurious, premium Volvo sedan in the market today,” said VCM President Mr Goran Larsson, before continuing, “We believe that nothing on the road in this price range comes close to touching the new S80 2.5T in terms of luxury, elegance and style.”
Larsson further added, “Based purely on its specifications, details, ergonomics, drive-ability, state-of-the-art technologies and great price – the all-new Volvo S80 2.5T is second to none.”
In line with the company’s reputation for an un-compromised approach towards safety, Volvo has packed the S80 to the brim with an array of safety features. We are not talking about things like airbags at every corner, anti-lock brakes, seat-belt pre-tensioners and the like. These, as far as any modern Volvos are concerned, are standard fare.
New features for the 2.5T include Adaptive Cruise Control, which automatically adjusts vehicle speed based on traffic conditions. Collision Warning with Auto Brake monitors for obstacles ahead and warns the driver of a potential collision. If the driver ignores these warnings, and the system deems necessary to act, it will move to stop the car with full braking force.
Driver Alert Control monitors the driver’s input patterns and will serve up a ‘suggestion’ to take a break if the system determines that the driver is in need of a rest. Lane Departure Warning monitors road surface markings and warns the driver if he or she is veering off course.
At each side mirror is a camera connected to the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), which warns of other vehicles hidden in blind spots invisible to the driver. Finally, cornering in the dark is aided by Active Bending Lights, which turn to follow the road’s curvature.
Now offered with two new colours – Ember Black & Ice White – the facelifted S80 2.5T sets its buyer back by RM295,000. Our insurance calculator estimates a figure just shy of RM8,000 for a year’s premium, which nudges the final figure just over the RM300k mark.
