Volvo Introduces New Luxury Sedan: S80
28 May 1998
Volvo Introduces New Luxury Sedan: S80 - The Exciting Safe Choice ROCKLEIGH, N.J., May 28 -- A blue suit. A glass of
chardonnay. Life is full of safe choices offering value and versatility but
not necessarily distinctiveness. Volvo is proud to introduce the Volvo S80, a
luxury sedan that weds safety innovation with striking style and remarkable
comfort.
"The Volvo S80 radiates enormous self-confidence. No one will be
unaffected by the car," promises Volvo's chief designer Peter Horbury.
Styling is not the only area that will impress. Special care has been
taken to make the S80 the ultimate Volvo in terms of luxury and personal
comfort. From its sensually contoured body, soft comfortable seating and
interior controls designed from a user's point of view, this Volvo is
immediately a pleasure to drive.
THE WORLD'S SAFEST VOLVO
For many years, Volvo has been recognized as one of the world leaders in
automotive safety. The Volvo S80 includes all the safety features standard on
current model plus many new promising ones. Thus, this year represents yet
another important threshold for passenger protection, much like in 1994 when
Volvo introduced the world's first side impact air bags.
"With the Volvo S80, we are taking a huge step in terms of safety," says
Hans Carlstedt, technical project manager. "In all probability, the Volvo S80
is one of the world's safest cars, especially if the term safety is extended
to include passive, active and personal safety."
Passive Safety:
IC (Inflatable Curtain)
Volvo was the first automaker to offer standard three-point safety belts
and side impact air bags. Now, with IC technology, Volvo will once again be
the first to mass produce, and fit as standard equipment, an important new
safety feature. The Inflatable Curtain helps increase head protection of
doorside passengers during side impacts and rollover accidents.
The Inflatable Curtain is the third stage in the development of Volvo's
Side Impact Protection System, SIPS. When SIPS body structure was introduced
in 1991, it set an entirely new standard for side impact protection. The
second step was taken in 1994 with the SIPS bag, an airbag fitted cleverly
into the sides of the front seats.
The third stage, IC, is an inflatable protective curtain concealed inside
the headliner from the front side "A" pillar to the rear side "C" pillar on
both the driver and passenger sides. When deployed, the curtains drop down
through openings in the headliner, inflate in about 25 milliseconds, and help
to cushion the doorside passengers' heads. IC can absorb as much as
75 percent of the energy the head exerts when it is thrown to the side. The
deployed curtain also helps to protect passengers from being partially thrown
out through a side window.
WHIPS (Whiplash Protection System)
Another unique safety system making its debut in the Volvo S80 is WHIPS
(Whiplash Protection System). Whiplash injuries are usually caused during
rear-end collisions when the head is thrown backwards. This frequently
produces neck pain, numbness and neurological symptoms, causing injury that is
difficult if not impossible to cure. WHIPS is an entirely new seat concept in
which the backrest and head restraint shift backwards in a parallel movement
during rear-end collisions. The upper part of the body and the head are
cushioned in a soft, balanced manner, reducing the recoil to which the body is
subjected. Rearward G force is reduced by approximately 50 percent,
decreasing the likelihood of whiplash for the passengers.
Active Safety:
STC (Stability and Traction Control)
Stability and Traction Control (STC) allows drivers to feel more confident
on slippery surfaces. The system provides invaluable road grip by monitoring
the relationship between the wheels and the road surface. Should one wheel
begin to slip, the fuel supply to the engine is temporarily cut off, thereby
reducing its torque. The tire regains its grip, or Stability, on the road.
This entire procedure takes just 30 thousandths of one second. Additionally,
the system makes it easier to pull away when starting on slippery surfaces, as
it automatically distributes power to the front wheel with the best grip,
creating Traction.
Integrated Controls
Commonly used control buttons for the radio and temperature control are
positioned on the steering wheel to make operation straightforward and safe
while minimizing the risk of being distracted.
Personal Safety:
Approach Light
The approach light enables the driver to use the key fob to turn on the
S80's interior lights, side marker lamps and the lamps in the exterior
rearview mirrors from a distance of approximately 30 feet. This illuminates a
large area of the ground around the car, helping the driver determine if
anyone is inside or near the car.
Home Safe Lighting
Home Safe Lighting is a complement to the approach light. After stopping
the car, the driver can pull the high beam lever once to activate Home Safe
Lighting. This turns on the dipped headlights, interior lighting, side marker
lamps and lamps in the exterior rearview mirrors, lighting the area so all
occupants can exit the S80 safely.
Personal and Theft Protection
The Volvo S80 is equipped with a number of advanced features to comply
with growing concern for personal security and car protection.
They include:
-- Three different alarm levels with functions and sensors of different
types.
-- Remote control with rotating access codes to prevent unauthorized
persons from copying the signal.
-- Rotating lock cylinders for door, trunk lid and ignition lock to
eliminate the possibility of someone successfully forcing the lock
using a screwdriver or other inappropriate tool.
-- Deadlock mode that disengages the inside locking controls, preventing a
thief breaking a window and opening the car from inside.
-- An electronic immobilizer, which makes it basically impossible to start
the car without the original key.
-- A new anti-theft glass which helps prevent "smash-and-grab" situations.
(Anti-theft glass is optional.)
MORE COMPUTERS THAN A JET FIGHTER
Perhaps the most revolutionary new feature in the Volvo S80 is the highly
sophisticated and trend-setting electrical system, Multiplex, with more than
30 computers in a network fitted in different parts of the car. This system
software, which can easily be updated in the future, is programmed for each
market at the factory.
Compared with the preceding electrical systems, the Multiplex system
provides greater reliability, can handle more electrical functions and can
more easily retrofit electrical equipment in the aftermarket. Another benefit
of Multiplex is that it uses a reduced number of cables, thereby saving
weight, space, and critical to system reliability is the number of connections
has been reduced. Additionally, it is a flexible system, with a large number
of adaptations integrated in the software.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE - T6 LIKE A FOUR-LITER V8
New engine design plays another role in the S80's ability to impress.
Engine performance improvements made possible by new design solutions have
resulted in a reduction in weight and lower friction between the moving parts
of the engine, together with an improved cylinder head with variable camshaft
timing -- all controlled by a sophisticated Engine Management System.
Another unique element is that Volvo positioned the S80's engine
transversely. Previously, no car manufacturer in modern time has succeeded in
fitting an in-line, 6-cylinder engine transversely in the engine bay. As a
result, the energy absorption zones in the engine bay have been extended and,
at the same time, the passenger compartment is roomier than is possible with a
'V' engine.
The standard Volvo S80 offers a naturally aspirated 2.9 liter six cylinder
engine that puts out 201 bhp at 6000rpm with maximum torque of 207 lb.ft. at
4,300rpm. Ninety percent of its components are new compared with previous
Volvo six cylinder engines. Also available is the Volvo S80 T6, providing a
high-performance, bi-turbo, intercooled 2.8 liter engine with performance
comparable to a 4.0 liter V8. The two turbochargers deliver the power swiftly
and very smoothly, putting out 268 bhp at 5,400 rpm with a maximum torque of
280 lb.ft. between 2,000 and 5,000rpm.
"We have used the two smallest turbochargers on the market, each of which
operates three cylinders. Their size enables them to react quickly to the
throttle and torque is already available at low engine speeds," Hans Wikman
explains.
T6 TRANSMISSION - AUTOMATIC WITHIN TIPTRONIC FEATURE
Coupled to the bi-turbo engine is a four-speed automatic transmission with
driver selectable Tiptronic mode. Moving the gear change lever to the left
allows access to the Tip mode for up- and downshifting, much like a sequential
selection racing transmission.
CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT - ANOTHER WORLD FIRST
Along with the introduction of the new Volvo S80 comes the introduction of
a new way of presenting environmental information on a car. The S80
environmental specification details all environmental impact during every
phase in the life or the car: production, operation and recycling. Lloyd's
Register, an independent inspection institute based in the United Kingdom, has
verified all the data that is presented.
"By drawing up environmental specifications in this way, we are hoping to
show our customers that we really take environmental issues seriously, that
they can rely on us," says Anders Karrberg, head of environmental issues at
Volvo Cars.
It is Volvo Cars' systematic environmental program that has made the
development of this environmental specification possible. The complete chain
comprises 17 company units, including suppliers and dealers. All the textile
material in the car also has certification in accordance with the
international OKO-TEX standard.
THE EXCITING SAFE CHOICE
In this world of blue suits and extreme sports, many people yearn for a
balance between everyday contentment and daring adventure.
The Volvo S80 is the exciting safe choice.
