2008 Volvo S80

What can make a smooth riding, handsome luxury auto even more appealing? How about adding turbo power for peak performance, world-class, innovative safety features and top notch audio.

2008 Volvo S-80 Interior

The top-of-the-line 2008 Volvo S80 auto debuted last year as its first V-8 powered sedan. For 2008, the S80 gains a number of enhancements throughout the vehicle, and becomes a three-version lineup with an added engine option. In between the base 3.2-liter, 236-HP inline six model and premium 311-HP flagship V-8 all-wheel-drive, is a new turbo-charged 3.0-liter, 281-HP AWD T6. The engine provides swift driving response and extremely low emissions, according to Volvo.

More of the V-8's premium features are standard for 2008, including wood inlay, bright metal trims and the "world's first" Personal Car Communicator with heartbeat sensor to detect an intruder. Available digital high definition radio is added later in 2008.

Cutting edge safety features are nothing new for Volvo. Long known for its leadership in safety innovations, it has added new safety technologies to the current S80.

Besides adaptive cruise control that senses a vehicle ahead with radar to adjust driving speed, plus whiplash and blind spot protection, the S80 gains two new optional accident avoidance technologies. A lane departure system is designed to actively prevent a driver from drifting into another traffic lane. And Volvo's new collision warning system with radar and camera sensors automatically applies brakes in critical situations where an accident ahead clearly is unavoidable and the driver hasn't responded by braking. The system has three different sensitivity levels to accommodate different drivers.

S8 base pricing starts at $38,705 for the 3.2-liter inline six that provides best mileage of 16 city/14 highway mpg. New T6 entry pricing is $42,045, and the V-8 starts at $49,210.

Luxury touches include heated rear seats on the  3.2-liter inline six. Among S80 options: High pressure headlamp cleaning, and interior humidity sensor. Safety never felt so comfortable.