2008 Volvo S80

New drivelines in the Volvo S80:

T6 turbo and D5 diesel with AWD
The Volvo S80 is now available with the six-cylinder, 285 hp T6 performance engine with All Wheel Drive that was first introduced in the all-new Volvo V70 in March 2007. Another new power train combination for the S80 is the 185 D5 turbo diesel with AWD.

'The T6 engine adds an extra dimension to the S80 engine range,' says Hans Wikman, Vice President Vehicle Line Large Cars at Volvo Cars. 'The engine has been programmed to provide the highest possible performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.' The T6 petrol engine is based on the compact 3.2-litre in-line aluminium engine that has been part of the S80 engine range since the introduction in March 2006. The turbo version has a displacement of 3.0 litres, producing 210 kW (285 hp) and no less than 400 Nm of torque. Maximum torque is on tap from just 1,500 rpm and remains available all the way up the rev range, resulting in remarkably quick acceleration and smooth driveability (0-100 km/h in 7.2 seconds - preliminary figure). The somewhat smaller cylinder displacement of the turbo version, owing to the slightly narrower cylinder bore and shorter stroke, is compensated by the turbocharger which in this engine takes in exhaust gases in two stages, with the inflow divided into two lots of three cylinders each, a system known as twin-scroll technology. Twin-scroll technology permits use of a more compact and uncomplicated turbocharger and provides extremely swift response, fully on a par with that from twin turbochargers.

All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction

Energy-efficient turbodiesel from second-generation diesel range


The five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel can also be combined with All Wheel Drive in the the Volvo S80. The powerful and easy to drive D5 offers 136 kW (185 hp) and no less than 400 Nm of torque - and it does so across a particularly wide rev range. The new D5 engine features an electronically controlled turbocharger, advanced multi-point injection technology and a particularly powerful engine management system. The driving experience provides far high performance and the driveability and traction are now further enhanced by the All Wheel Drive system with Instant Traction. A service-free particle filter is standard, making the D5 a highly eco-efficient alternative.

Source - Volvo

Volvo Cars introduces new systems for alerting tired and distracted drivers

• Driver Alert Control - unique technology that alerts tired and distracted drivers

• Lane Departure Warning - alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason

Studies show that up to 90 percent of all traffic accidents are caused by driver distraction.

Now Volvo Cars introduces Driver Alert Control - with a technology solution that is a world-first in passenger cars. The system aims to alert the driver when his or her concentration level is affected, for instance during long journeys.

Another new system, Lane Departure Warning, alerts the driver if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason.

Lane Departure Warning and Driver Alert Control will be part of the same option package, called Driver Alert System. It will be available in the Volvo S80, V70 and XC70 at the end of 2007.

'Real life safety is the key to our safety philosophy. When it comes to preventive safety, we have the same approach as when we develop protective systems. In other words that our research and technical development focus on areas where new technology can create significant results in real-life-traffic,' says Ingrid Skogsmo, Director of the Volvo Cars Safety Centre.

Based on the accident statistics above, Volvo Cars is focusing on developing efficient technology to help drivers avoid or reduce the severity of accidents caused by distraction and driver fatigue.

Driver Alert Control (DAC) - a unique innovation
As a result of extensive studies on how drivers operate behind the wheel, Volvo has developed Driver Alert Control - a world-first innovation that registers the car's progress on the road and alerts unconcentrated drivers.

Driver fatigue is a major traffic-safety problem the world over. According to the Ú.S. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), drivers who fall asleep at the wheel cause about 100,000 accidents annually in the Únited States alone, resulting in 1,500 fatalities and more than 70,000 injured drivers and passengers.

The situation is similar in Europe. The German Insurance Association GDV estimates that about 25 percent of all fatal accidents on the German Autobahn are caused by driver fatigue.

Volvo's Driver Alert Control is an important innovation. It is primarily intended for situations where the risk of losing concentration is the greatest and where an accident would have severe consequences. For example a straight, smooth road that lulls the driver into a sense of relaxation and where the risk of distracting activities or falling asleep is higher. The system steps in at 65 km/h and stays active as long as the speed exceeds 60 km/h.

Registers what's happening on the road


'We do not monitor human behaviour - which varies from one person to another - but instead the effect that fatigue or decreased concentration has on driving behaviour. Our system is based on the car's progress on the road. It gives a reliable indication if something is likely to go wrong and alerts the driver before it is too late,' explains Daniel Levin, project manager for Driver Alert Control at Volvo Cars. He adds:

'We often get questions about why we have chosen this concept instead of monitoring the driver's eyes. The answer is that we don't think that the technology of monitoring the driver's eyes is mature enough yet.'

Driver Alert Control can also cover situations where the driver is focusing too much on his/her cell phone or children in the car, thereby not having full control of the vehicle.

'This is a positive side-effect of our concept, and this is possible since the system evaluates driving behaviour rather than human behaviour,' says Daniel Levin.

Text messages and audible signals


From a technical viewpoint, Driver Alert Control consists of a camera, a number of sensors and a control unit.

The camera, which is installed between the windscreen and the interior rear-view mirror, continuously measures the distance between the car and the road lane markings. The sensors register the car's movements. The control unit stores the information and calculates whether the driver risks losing control of the vehicle.

If the risk is assessed as high, the driver is alerted via an audible signal. In addition, a text message appears in the car's information display, alerting him or her with a coffee cup symbol to take a break.

What is more, the driver can continuously retrieve driving information from the car's trip computer. The starting-point is five bars. The less consistent the driving, the fewer bars remain.

'It is, of course, always the driver's responsibility to take a break when necessary, but sometimes you might not realise that you're not alert enough to drive. In such situations, Driver Alert Control can help the driver make the right decision, like taking a refreshing break or a nap, before the concentration level becomes too low,' Daniel Levin concludes.

Lane Departure Warning (LDW)

On ÚS Highways, single-vehicle road departures account for approximately one fourth of all accidents and one third of all fatalities, statistics that emphasize the risk of losing concentration in smooth driving conditions.

Volvo Cars addresses this by introducing Lane Departure Warning. The system helps prevent single-vehicle road departure accidents as well as head-on collisions due to temporary distraction.

Volvo Cars' researchers estimate that the LDW system can help prevent 30-40 percent of these types of accidents at speeds between 70 and 100 km/h.

LDW is activated via a button on the centre stack and it alerts the driver with a gentle warning sound if the car crosses one of the road markings without an obvious reason such as use of the turn indicator.

The system also uses a camera to monitor the car's position between the road markings. LDW steps in at 65 km/h and stays active as long as the speed exceeds 60 km/h.

System limitations

Source - Volvo

Model Overview: 2008 Volvo S80

Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price
S80 3.2: $38,705
S80 T6 AWD: $42,045
S80 V8 AWD: $49,210
Destination: $745
All new last year, the acclaimed Volvo S80 gains an exciting new dimension in performance for 2008 with the introduction of the turbocharged T6 AWD. This revolutionary new model fits perfectly between the normally aspirated S80 3.2 and the flagship S80 V8 AWD.




The somewhat smaller cylinder displacement of the T6, owing to slightly narrower cylinder bore and shorter stroke, is compensated by a single turbocharger with twin-scroll technology. This takes in exhaust gases in two stages with inflow divided into lots of three cylinders each. Thus, the T6 permits the use of a more compact and simplified turbo that provides extremely swift response with the lowest possible fuel consumption and exhaust emissions.

Like the S80 V8, the T6 is fitted with Volvo's All Wheel Drive with Instant Traction. Úsing an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch, the system distributes drive between the front and rear wheels to ensure the best possible road grip in all situations. All S80s feature a standard six-speed 'Geartronic' transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)



In nearly every area of occupant protection the S80 expands Volvo's leadership in both preventative and protective safety. Innovations include a side airbag with dual chamber construction for enhanced hip and chest protection. Clever structural design employs four different grades of steel for predictable crash energy absorption. The S80 also features the next generation of WHIPS rear impact protection and new approaches to pedestrian safety.

Adaptive cruise control, optional on all S80s, uses a radar sensor to measure the distance to vehicles ahead and automatically adjust vehicle speed. Collision warning with brake support works in concert with the system, alerting the driver and applying the brakes if needed. The Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is another high-tech option. Cameras near the outside mirrors detect vehicles that might be in a blind spot and relay the information to the driver.

On the inside, the S80's cabin is fitted with a super-slim center console, premium leather seating surfaces and real wood inlays. A power driver's seat with memory, power font passenger seat and power sunroof is among the list of standard amenities. Also included is a high performance sound system with 6-disc CD changer, auxiliary input, MP3 capability, a 160-watt amplifier and eight speakers.

All models can be enhanced with the optional Dynaudio Package that adds a 650-watt amplifier, Dolby Pro-Logic II Surround Sound and 12 Dynaudio® speakers. Rear seat headphone jacks and audio controls are new this year. SiriusTM Satellite Radio is also included. Other options include the Volvo Navigation System with HDD, DVD map data and remote control and a dual screen rear seat entertainment system.

Source - Volvo