Road & Travel Magazine

Auto Advice & Tips
Auto Buyer's Guides
Car Care Maintenance
Climate Views & Videos
Auto Awards Archive
Insurance & Accidents
Legends & Leaders
New Car Reviews
Planet Driven
Road Humor
Road Trips
RV & Camping
Safety & Security
Teens & Tots Tips
Tire Buying Tips
Used Car Buying
Vehicle Model Guide

Travel Channel
Adventure Travel
Advice & Tips
Airline Rules
Bed & Breakfasts
Cruises & Tours
Destination Reviews
Earth Tones
Family Travel Tips
Health Trip
Hotels & Resorts
Luxury Travel
Pet Travel
RV & Camping
Safety & Security
Spa Reviews
Train Vacations
World Travel Directory
Bookmark and Share

2004 Volvo Brand Buyer's Guide, New Car Reviews
by Bob Plunkett

2004 Volvo S80

2004 Volvo S80

Body styling for Volvo's flagship sedan has been revamped with the three-dimensional prow flashing new fascia, foglamps, grille and headlamp clusters with highlights gleaming in chrome and dark silver finishes.

Active safety tools include quick-action rack and pinion steering system now using a steering gear from ZF of Germany for more direct feel in the steering response.

Optional FOUR-C shock damping regulates actions for the shock absorber at each wheel through electronic damping that changes as much as 25 times every second, switching from soft to hard to soft again in an effort to isolates the movement of each tire for less bounce, vibration and noise.

For powertrains, Volvo has two in-line-six options. The S80 2.9 carries an aluminum six-pack that displaces 2.9 liters and produces 194 hp. The S80 T6 uses a light-pressure twin turbo that makes 268 hp.

New top trim is the T6 Premier with a DVD-based video entertainment system designed for viewers in rear seats with a DVD player in the center console and two liquid-crystal-display (LCD) color monitors planted in the back of headrests of front buckets.


RELATED LINKS