Test drive Volvo S80 2003 - 2006 sedan

Keep your face

In order to change the appearance, it is absolutely not necessary to resort to the services of plastic surgery. Often a very noticeable effect gives the right makeup. It was this path that the Swedish company Volvo chose to rejuvenate its flagship - the S80 sedan. It seems that both the interior and the exterior remained the same, and the difference between the S80 released this year is felt immediately. The maximum effect is obtained by minimal means. What has changed?
 
Let's start with the cabin. The front and rear doors received new upholstery. More comfortable handles appeared, which are easier to reach to close the open door. The central console and switches are now darker, and the adjusting levers of the ventilation system are complemented by chrome inserts. A combination of devices has also changed.
 
The sparkling elements were added in the design of the body - the fashion is again favorable to the abundance of chromium on prestigious sedans. In the current Volvo, a radiator grille, an insert in the lower air intake, side moldings and moldings under the windows, door handles, edges under the rear lights, and the trunk opening handle are made under the metal. And now about more significant changes in appearance. The entire frontal part was converted: a bumper, air intake, a radiator grille and its grid, fog lights. The sedan received new external rear -view mirrors.
The car’s feed has changed noticeably. Spectacular combined Volvo flashlights have become a little smaller, because instead of the lamps of the feet of the LED line now. The gaps formed between the lanterns and the bumper are covered with decorative panels in the color of the body.
 
The result of all these cosmetic changes is as follows: the S80 sedan retained its original style and successful design solutions, but, as befits the flagship, began to look more modern, solid and rich.
 
In addition to makeup, of course, there are innovations in mechanics. A gasoline five -cylinder engine 2.5T (a working volume of 2521 cm) with a low -pressure turbocharged and a system of constantly changed phases of gas distribution appeared in the engines. Its power is 10 liters. p., and torque is 35 n.m. more than that of the predecessor 2.4t. The car is equipped with a modernized hydraulic power steering of ZF variable performance. The updated Volvo S80 by order is equipped with a Four-C chassis active control system: it allows the driver to choose the suspension operating mode (comfortable or sports), and also automatically changes the rigidity of shock absorbers depending on road conditions. The all -wheel drive modification of the sedan also goes on sale.
 
It remains to add that the price of a S80 car with a 2.5T engine in the basic configuration is $ 41,900, with an automatic five-speed gearbox and an expanded set of equipment $ 48,000-49,000, and the richest version can pull above $ 50,000.
A three -spoke steering wheel with wood rim - for a surcharge.
The new rear bumper is more massive and more solid than the former. The lid of the trunk became one (before the part had a seam in the upper part), and a handle appeared above the license plate.
 
Vadim Kryuchkov. Photo: Konstantin Yakubov
 
  
 

A source: The magazine "Driving"