The All New Volvo S80
Published: 2nd March 2006
Volvo S80
Exterior Design - A more dynamic stance
The all new S80 is an entirely new car featuring a new dynamic evolution of Volvo exterior design. It has more sweeping lines and elegance than its predecessor with a more tapered shape and a slimmer appearance thanks to features including chrome trim framing the side windows. Although the same total length as the first generation S80, it is 27mm wider and 34mm taller with a longer wheelbase and wider track which gives it a more imposing stance and greater presence on the road.
"Our design goal for the all new Volvo S80 was for it to be instantly recognisable as a Volvo and express elegance, alertness and smooth movement," says Steve Mattin, Vice President Product Design at Volvo Car Corporation. "We aimed to achieve this with more rounded shapes, higher haunches and more sweeping lines," he continued.
Like all the latest, modern Volvo designs, the all new S80 features pronounced curvature at the front corners to create a compact and dynamic impression as well as reducing the risk of injuries to pedestrians. For the all new S80, the entire front is gently rounded without any pronounced edges, with headlamps set lower than the previous S80 and follow the curvature of the front to look "a bit like a smile," says Steve Mattin. "It helps give the car a more positive expression," he continued.
Volvo's trademark V-shaped bonnet extends lower while the shapely rear tail lamps have been refined to create a lower profile and fitted with LED lamps at the top of the units to make it easy to identify the all new Volvo S80 from behind, even in the dark.
The doors are also more rounded with a more powerful convex profile, instead of the previous concave design, plus the sills are more pronounced, which visually lowers the car to give it a stable, more-assured stance.
Volvo S80
Our Volvo S80 Guide lists the full specification of the current UK S80 range, including car prices, fuel consumption, dimensions and other vital data.
Price Range: £23,495 - £48,100
Body Style:
Fuel:
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Models in the range: 26
Our Car Buyer’s Guide covers all of the UK’s major new cars and includes CO2 ratings and car insurance groups. Data updated on the 6th July 2008
