In March 2008, we featured a comparison between the Audi A6 3.2 V6 and the Volvo S80 4.4 V8 entitled ‘Luxury Cars that Fly Under the Radar.’ Well, you could argue that the Audi no longer flies under the radar, so to speak, as it’s firmly established itself in the upper echelon of the Indian luxury car market.

For those of you who value subtlety however, Volvo still provides understated luxury in a package wrapped in Scandinavian style and sensibility. And this particular Volvo comes with an additional dose of sensibility in the form of a twin-turbo, 2.4 liter, five cylinder, diesel powerplant – as opposed to the muscular, but thirsty, V8 petrol in the flagship S80. During its 2008 test, the Yamaha engineered V8 in the Volvo truly blew us away – to the extent that we’d have even been willing to do a little oil exploration ourselves to source the fuel to power it if need be. So, when I got into the drivers’ seat of the five cylinder diesel, I was expecting to be a little disappointed frankly. Well, pleasantly surprised should have been more like it.

Plus, Sachin Tendulkar just won himself one of these by becoming the man-of-the-series during the recent one-day matches with South Africa. So let’s see if we think he’ll like it – understanding full well, of course, that it likely won’t be quite the same way in which he values his Ferrari.

From the Outside



The S80 D5 looks virtually identical to the V8 we tested a couple of years ago, which is to say that it exudes typical Scandinavian simplicity in design – if simplicity can, in fact, be exuded. Nevertheless, it does have a few defining features however, such as muscular lines on the bonnet that flow nicely into its protruding snout, and a distinctive broad shoulder line that runs the length of the car, which really sets it apart on the road. And, of course, should there be any doubt of its lineage, there’s a massive badge on the front grille, as well as bold Volvo lettering on the boot lid.

It also has a smattering of chrome from front to back for some added pizzazz. The only telling sign that it’s a diesel is a small D5 badge at the rear. It retains the twin exhaust tips from the V8 – just to keep you guessing about the extent of firepower underhood.

All said and done, it is really quite graceful and modern – it doesn’t shout out at you from its seemingly coveted badge on the hood. Its je ne sais quoi comes from its understated elegance.

From the Inside



As you unlock the doors via a button on the key fob, you’re greeted by wing mirrors that automatically open on either side of the car – nice touch. Get in and you quickly realise that the S80, not unsurprisingly, retains its discreet Scandinavian design theme on the inside as well. Sit in the drivers’ seat and you get a sense of just what kind of driving experience it’s going to be, which is to say rather comfortable indeed.

The seats in the S80, both front and rear, set the interior apart from any luxury car this side of a Rolls Royce – they truly are incredibly soft and cosseting. I can’t figure out why other luxury car manufacturers aren’t able to provide the same levels of comfort. You literally don’t feel like getting out of the car, even once you’ve reached your destination.

At the business end of the cabin, the gauges are clear with an individual speedometer and tach – with informative digital displays inset in concentric circles therein. The floating center console is another Volvo trademark, and adds a nice, albeit subtle, touch to the cabin. The AC controls are incredibly intuitive, with the air flow directed via a diagram at the heart of the center console. The readout of the display, which combines HAVC and stereo information, appears a little dated however, but works well nonetheless. The cubby hole beneath the central arm rest houses a USB input and Aux-in jack so you can plug-and-play your iPod. Plus, the stereo sounds pretty good, and the S80 also has in-built Bluetooth connectivity as you’d expect.

There are some other telling signs that you’re in a Volvo though, such as a rear arm rest that doubles as a child booster seat if need be – very Volvo. And the matte wood trim in the cabin is very much in keeping with the character of the car as well. There are, however, some pieces of trim, such as the window switches, that don’t quite match the quality of its German rivals. On the whole though, it’s a very comfortable place to be – even if you’re a fastidious captain of industry, you won’t be disappointed.

On the road



This is why we’re really here – to test the all-new twin-turbo, 2.4 liter, 5 cylinder diesel unit. And, at the outset, I have to tell you that it’s a very impressive motor indeed. Being a diesel, it’s pretty punchy, and all the torque is available low down where you need it. And twin-turbos means that the individual turbos are smaller in an effort to reduce lag, which is practically nonexistent as a result. Consequently, the throttle response is right there, all the time – and it feels incredibly light footed. Step on the accelerator pedal, and the six-speed automatic responds immediately by downshifting to ensure that the S80 shoots forward if you so desire. And whereas you can hear the diesel clatter at idle and low speeds, when it does sound quite rough, once you’re higher in the rev range the motor actually sounds pretty good – it sort of growls at you from within the engine bay. In fact, on many occasions, it reminded me of the V8 in its petrol sibling. And that’s saying a lot – what Volvo has done is create a diesel engined muscle car. The engine has a 5000rpm redline, and the S80 pulls all the way to that point – unlike most diesels, it doesn’t run out of steam north
of 4000rpm.

So, while the Volvo scores on the engine front, you expect it to lose out in the handling department. For the simple reason that you expect the weight of the diesel mill under the bonnet, combined with the twin-turbos, not to mention the fact that its front wheel drive, to mean that the S80 will understeer off the road if driven with even the slightest bit of exuberance around corners. Well, I was wrong again – not surprisingly it appears.

The car is actually quite composed when pushed – it handles well, has amazing levels of grip, and Volvo has succeeded in eliminating torque steer as well. In fact, the back end actually helps the S80 around corners – leading you to question if Volvo left the four-wheel drive running gear from the flagship V8 in this model as well. Then, of course, the traction control cuts in and eliminates any fun that may actually ensue. The Scandinavian safety net is all pervasive, and whereas it ensures that you don’t get into any trouble, it doesn’t let you have much fun either – let’s just say that you can’t really do the Scandinavian flick in this Volvo.



The steering is light, which is great for the city, but it self-centers a little too aggressively. And while the steering and chassis follow your instructions to the tee, neither are too conversant. The six-speed automatic transmission works well, but it’s not quite in the same league as some of the newer, more advanced gearboxes found in the Germanic brigade. And that’s really where the S80 loses out – it doesn’t really have the same levels of precision. It does, however, provide an effortless combination of comfort and speed. It’s brilliant in the city, with a perfect blend of capacity and calm.

And, of course, being a Volvo, you can be rest assured that you’re in one of the safest automobiles ever made. It has a number of systems to ensure that things don’t go wrong in the first place, such as IDIS (Intelligent Driver Information System), which helps the driver avoid unnecessary distractions in critical situations, ABS with Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) and Ready Alert Brakes (RAB), which pre-empt emergency situations and bring the brake pads closer to the discs and also increase brake pressure to ensure the shortest possible stopping distance if need be. There’s also Volvo’s patented body structure, which includes its Side Impact Protection System (SIPS), as well as pre-tension seat belts, anti-whiplash headrests, and a host of other innovations should things go wrong despite the ever-present safety net.

Verdict



So, does the Scandinavian build enough of a case for itself to truly be considered a viable alternative to the German trio of Mercedes, BMW and Audi? The Volvo does everything very well indeed, but it doesn’t really blow you away in any specific department – and that’s its handicap when challenging the Teutons. What it does very well, however, is remain understated – you’ve got to love the simplicity of Scandinavian design. Plus, it is unique, and that counts for a lot as well. Moreover, it rides better than a BMW or Audi, which means that rear seat passengers will be happier. And it’s certainly a lot more subtle than a Mercedes. If you value subtlety, then the Volvo should be very high on your list – and that’s also why we think Sachin will be quite pleased with it.

Final terms of sale are being negotiated between Volvo’s American parent, Ford, and Chinese company Geely. However, I wouldn’t really be concerned with the sale having an impact on after sales service, or, for that matter, the quality of the brand. So, it’s actually very hard not to recommend this car. If you’re in the market for a luxury saloon, do indeed give the Scandinavian alternative a serious look.