S80: Information - 3.2SE Test drive

Bob · Mar 7th, 2007, 11:39

I had a drive of the S80 3.2 SE last night. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Nice.

It was dark so it took a while to check out all the controls, bit like a flight deck. Seating position was good and great all-round visibility. Nice big door mirrors with good rear view, not like some other cars that have sporty looking door mirrors but limited rear view.

Starting the car was reminiscent of the old Mini, press the 'Start' button, after pushing the 'key' into the slot. Press the same button to turn the engine off.

Cripes, where's the handbrake....oh it's a button under the dash now. OK we're on the move now.

Out into the unlit country lanes around Farnham, onto full beam. Wow, zillion candle power search lamps. Back to dip beam, hm it cuts off rather sharply and a tad low. Must be a beam height adjuster somewhere, but with all the other controls I am not going to look for it now.

The road was twisty and had a poor bumpy surface, but the suspension coped with all that with no problem producing a very smooth ride. Into geartronic 'sports' mode and open it up a bit. Just like being at work. The car handled extremely well. It took me a while to adapt to the positive and powerful brakes, but they instill great comfort in that they do what it says on the box.

Out onto the A355. Nearby was a series of tight bends going into a dip in the 50mph speed limit. Back into sports mode and hold a low gear through the bends. Not a murmur from the suspension; no roll at all. I kept it at 50 through the bends which is easier said than done in many cars, most people brake in the bends.

I found the throttle response in auto and sports very good and plenty of power feeding in very nicely. The steering was lighter than I am used to, similar to the SAAB, but very positive.

The car was solid on the road, steady all the time. Smooth and quiet, except when using sports mode through the rev range of the gears. The car produced a nice 'growl'.

Back in the car park and I had a look around the interior front and rear. Pure luxury. The boot lid was small but when I opened it up it was like Dr Who's TARDIS. There is a huge boot space. I could put my three grandchildren in there plus their luggage.

Did I like it? Yes indeed. Would I buy one? Yes indeed, if I had the money.

My thanks to Brain Gatward who brought it along and Fawcetts Volvo at Newbury for loaning the car. What you bringing next month Brian? V8 XC90 would be nice.

Bob

CTCNetwork · Mar 7th, 2007, 14:03

Hi,

Some peeps have all the luck...

Des. . .

pigapumbu · Mar 7th, 2007, 14:16

I tested the diesel few months back. car looks great, love the nice touches inside especially how the keyfob gets sucked into its place but didnt like the diesel engine all all. sounded like a truck but it did have some pulling power in the low revs. Pity the dealer had no petrol version as a demonstrator at the time. Reading Bob's write-up, its a pity I never got to try it. Maybe next time.

Would I buy the S80? Just on looks alone, yes. That rear angle is so cool. Now I am off to get my lottery numbers in the hope that it could be me.

Paul Wildsmith · Mar 14th, 2007, 21:31

remember the Volvo freedom drives are on over the rest of the year - though I think they'll only have the D5 to drive.

Volvophile · Apr 11th, 2007, 00:03

I didn't like it at all, too similar in styling to the old S80 and I hate the whole 'floating centre console' idea, it doesn't work on the big S80. The boot was big but the aperture was too narrow and it was too univolving to drive.

Volvo need to build more exciting executive cars, the S80 is like an old Ford Granada Scorpio, Opel/Vauxhall Omega, a big wafty exec cruiser. People don't want that nowadays. Volvo need to work on the S80's image and it's hard to believe it's based on a Mondeo which has a very talented chassis is strange, Volvo must have fettled with it a good bit. The D5 is also too unrefined and the V8 is too much of a guzzler.

Now I am a Volvo fanatic! It's just I feel the new S80 is very far off the mark and Volvo are being a bit lazy with it, they need to give it more of an image and improve dynamics.

That's my opinion on the new S80 people are free to disagree.

VolvoManS70

Blashford · Jul 30th, 2007, 22:11

I am thinking about buying a new XC70 but I have some doubts about the engines. D5 or 3.2.

I would really appreciate any information about the 3.2 engine. Fuel consumption, overtake capability, etc.

Mar 7th, 2007, 11:39	#1
Bob Club Director Last Online: Yesterday 17:56 Join Date: Nov 1999 Location: From Neath, now London View Photos By: Bob	3.2SE Test drive I had a drive of the S80 3.2 SE last night. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Nice. It was dark so it took a while to check out all the controls, bit like a flight deck. Seating position was good and great all-round visibility. Nice big door mirrors with good rear view, not like some other cars that have sporty looking door mirrors but limited rear view. Starting the car was reminiscent of the old Mini, press the 'Start' button, after pushing the 'key' into the slot. Press the same button to turn the engine off. Cripes, where's the handbrake....oh it's a button under the dash now. OK we're on the move now. Out into the unlit country lanes around Farnham, onto full beam. Wow, zillion candle power search lamps. Back to dip beam, hm it cuts off rather sharply and a tad low. Must be a beam height adjuster somewhere, but with all the other controls I am not going to look for it now. The road was twisty and had a poor bumpy surface, but the suspension coped with all that with no problem producing a very smooth ride. Into geartronic 'sports' mode and open it up a bit. Just like being at work. The car handled extremely well. It took me a while to adapt to the positive and powerful brakes, but they instill great comfort in that they do what it says on the box. Out onto the A355. Nearby was a series of tight bends going into a dip in the 50mph speed limit. Back into sports mode and hold a low gear through the bends. Not a murmur from the suspension; no roll at all. I kept it at 50 through the bends which is easier said than done in many cars, most people brake in the bends. I found the throttle response in auto and sports very good and plenty of power feeding in very nicely. The steering was lighter than I am used to, similar to the SAAB, but very positive. The car was solid on the road, steady all the time. Smooth and quiet, except when using sports mode through the rev range of the gears. The car produced a nice 'growl'. Back in the car park and I had a look around the interior front and rear. Pure luxury. The boot lid was small but when I opened it up it was like Dr Who's TARDIS. There is a huge boot space. I could put my three grandchildren in there plus their luggage. Did I like it? Yes indeed. Would I buy one? Yes indeed, if I had the money. My thanks to Brain Gatward who brought it along and Fawcetts Volvo at Newbury for loaning the car. What you bringing next month Brian? V8 XC90 would be nice. Bob __________________ Robert Isaac VOC Director 1995 850 T5 auto estate. 280hp 289K miles and purrrs 2009 Jap import V70 2.5T 200hp 51K miles

Mar 7th, 2007, 14:03	#2
CTCNetwork Forum Support Team Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Liège, Belgium View Photos By: CTCNetwork	Hi, Some peeps have all the luck... Des. . . __________________ Density:- Not just a measurement ~ It's a whole way of Life.! ! ! I drive a Volvo, Please Don't Get In My Way! OldVolvos4Ever He shows up. People die. He vanishes. People should not be afraid of their governments. "He'll deliver more justice in a weekend than 10 years of your Governments should be afraid of their people... "V" courts & tribunals. Just stay out of his way." "I plan to."

Mar 14th, 2007, 21:31	#4
Paul Wildsmith Register Keeper Last Online: Today 13:53 Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Bristol	remember the Volvo freedom drives are on over the rest of the year - though I think they'll only have the D5 to drive. __________________ Paul VOC 90's SPARK

Apr 11th, 2007, 00:03	#5
Volvophile Premier Member Last Online: Yesterday 22:29 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Dublin	I didn't like it at all, too similar in styling to the old S80 and I hate the whole 'floating centre console' idea, it doesn't work on the big S80. The boot was big but the aperture was too narrow and it was too univolving to drive. Volvo need to build more exciting executive cars, the S80 is like an old Ford Granada Scorpio, Opel/Vauxhall Omega, a big wafty exec cruiser. People don't want that nowadays. Volvo need to work on the S80's image and it's hard to believe it's based on a Mondeo which has a very talented chassis is strange, Volvo must have fettled with it a good bit. The D5 is also too unrefined and the V8 is too much of a guzzler. Now I am a Volvo fanatic! It's just I feel the new S80 is very far off the mark and Volvo are being a bit lazy with it, they need to give it more of an image and improve dynamics. That's my opinion on the new S80 people are free to disagree. VolvoManS70 Last edited by Volvophile; Apr 11th, 2007 at 00:07.

Mar 7th, 2007, 14:16	#3
pigapumbu Roary The Racing Car. Last Online: Jul 18th, 2014 09:00 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: mid area	I tested the diesel few months back. car looks great, love the nice touches inside especially how the keyfob gets sucked into its place but didnt like the diesel engine all all. sounded like a truck but it did have some pulling power in the low revs. Pity the dealer had no petrol version as a demonstrator at the time. Reading Bob's write-up, its a pity I never got to try it. Maybe next time. Would I buy the S80? Just on looks alone, yes. That rear angle is so cool. Now I am off to get my lottery numbers in the hope that it could be me.

Jul 30th, 2007, 22:11	#6
Blashford New Member Last Online: Aug 20th, 2007 12:20 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: CMT	I am thinking about buying a new XC70 but I have some doubts about the engines. D5 or 3.2. I would really appreciate any information about the 3.2 engine. Fuel consumption, overtake capability, etc.

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