New Volvo S80 new pics!

[Snake Vargas]

Where does it say that the "class leader" Golf is a better drive than the Focus? I wouldn't be surprised, but until I see evidence I'm not going to take your word for it.

I've yet to drive the S40/V50, so I can't way anything about the steering. A Mazda3 was fine though. I'll have to compare if I ever drive. The S40 also has small headroom in the back. The roofline slopes too much. Foot room isn't great, but not really much worse than A4, which I was surprised was so small in the rear. As for pricing, that I can agree - the S40 is expensive for what it is.

 

[martinbo]

Also bear in mind that the current Golf 5 uses an adapted version of the multi-link "control blade" rear suspension first seen in the Focus mk1. Golf 4 handled like a pig compared to that Focus and the balance has only recently been redressed with the introduction of the Golf 5...

Now I'm not saying that VW copied Ford [* alludes to another thread here...] but imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

I personally feel that despite its less spectacular looks compared with mk1, Focus mk 2 is more than ever a match for the Golf in many respects.

Back on topic though...

I'm not sure that I see much stylistic progression in this new S80, though it's probably just me. Interesting about that V8. Will it also be transversly mounted as in the XC90? I'm almost sure it would be.

 

[GTA45E]

It looks just like a larger S60. I expected a more excutive approach in the design of their top model.

 

[Yperion]

Also bear in mind that the current Golf 5 uses an adapted version of the multi-link "control blade" rear suspension first seen in the Focus mk1. Golf 4 handled like a pig compared to that Focus and the balance has only recently been redressed with the introduction of the Golf 5...

The same engineer (called Einhorn if i remember correctly) has designed both suspensions. He was initialy in Ford but VW managed to get him in order to design the 4 link in VW Golf which is more sophisticated and advanced than the suspension Focus uses. Focus mk1 had a very good road capabilities but don't forget to add that the brakes were unacceptable (drums in the rear and small disks in front) and the engines were weak. As for the interior, the word cheap is not enough to describe it.
Now let's get back to the topic , shall we?

 

[wltsm]

This new S80 looks quite nice, I see a lot of the CLS in the rear though!

Me and my dad took a V50 for a test drive and though the seats were very comfortable, the engine was alright, but not great (were were in the 2 litre diesel) and the floating consol was a gimic which was not useful at all. We weren't very impressed but the space in the boot or the rear seats. So overal a so so car, nothing special! My dad was looking at it for a replacement for his Golf mk4, so handleing didn't seem bad too him!

 

[Yperion]

Me and my dad took a V50 for a test drive and though the seats were very comfortable, the engine was alright, but not great (were were in the 2 litre diesel) and the floating consol was a gimic which was not useful at all. We weren't very impressed but the space in the boot or the rear seats. So overal a so so car, nothing special! My dad was looking at it for a replacement for his Golf mk4, so handleing didn't seem bad too him!

Perhaps you should consider new Jetta or Golf Plus too. I saw the Jetta a few days ago for the first time and i was very impressed. It is definitely better looking than the Passat.

 

[Snake Vargas]

I'm pretty sure that some versions of the Focus Mk.1 had discs front and rear. Whatever, that's all in the past. Until I see some performance figures for the Golf V vs. Focus Mk.2, I'm not going to admit that one is better than the other, handling wise, whether the Golf's suspension was designed by that guy or whoever.

The floating console thing is a bit of a gimmick, but I actually like how it looks. Clean and neat. The controls are well laid out, but there's nothing particularly amazing about the 'floating' aspect as such.

I wouldn't mind the Jetta but for the fact they're made in Mexico. Golf Plus also doesn't come to Australia.

 

[wltsm]

Perhaps you should consider new Jetta or Golf Plus too. I saw the Jetta a few days ago for the first time and i was very impressed. It is definitely better looking than the Passat.

Well dad thinks he will get a new golf when the time comes, he was only looking at the volvo cause he liked the A4 avant, and I was showing him the alternatives!

And to replace our 406 he will get a passat estate probably, he saw it in Frankfurt and really liked it, even more than the A6 avant!

 

[Yperion]

Audi A4, VW Passat, you seem to be on the right track.

Passat estate gives a new meaning to "value for money". Really big interior and trunk , lots of spaces for small things combined with a nice exterior and really good road abilities.
A true winner!

 

[Deutsch]

Very nice evolution of the S60 design into something larger. I think Volvo is just about one of the only European car marques left that still designs European cars. The interior quality of the new S80 far outpaces that of the E-class, and I'm sure this car will be a huge bargain, even in V8 configuration.

As for how the cars drive, nothing particularily special, unless you spend a rather long period of time behind the wheel. These cars run right along w/ MB in smoothness, and they don't bite your wallet hard on gas, and that's even w/ the peppy turbo kick you get when that jerk won't let you merge onto the freeway. Volvo builds great cars, and I think they could very well take things to a level to be competitive w/ Audi, BMW, and MB if they pushed their engineering programs hard enough, and it appears they have w/ the new SI6 engine coming early next year.

 

[SDNR]

I'm sorry...Volvo S80....

 

[Yperion]

Foot room isn't great, but not really much worse than A4, which I was surprised was so small in the rear. As for pricing, that I can agree - the S40 is expensive for what it is.

Well rear leg room of A4 is more or less equal to E46 3 series and C class although the width is slightly more.

 

[Mr. M]

I have to say they have improved the exterior.

I can't help but criticising the interior. Ever since I stepped into the lineup of Volvo cars in the showroom all but the S80 and XC90 have decent enough interiors, and 'decent' means barely competing against its Japanese rivals. The instrument cluster is like from a toy-set and the plastic doesn't feel good at all. I'm hoping they'll improve on their interior but I doubt it will be any much different.