Volvo is preparing an all new replacement for the company's top-of-the-line S80, for release sometime in 2006. The current S80 underwent a restyling in 2003.

These photos show for the first time a prototype during cold-weather testing on a frozen lake in Scandinavia . The car is still disguised, yet the new styling is clearly visible. The next S80 is again a four-door sedan but with a much rounder and more V-shaped body than its predecessor. It is again front-wheel drive and is expected to get power from a variety of four- and six-cylinder engines, as before. According to rumors from Sweden, it could also be available with Volvo's new eight-cylinder engine.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=8127

 

Meh... looks like a pontiac

 

I'm pretty sure they disguised it like that on purpose.

 

no, it's definaly looking like a pontiac

 

It's clear to me that they've slapped on plastic covers for the majority of the body panels. All the Ford-owned companies have been going to great lengths in disguising new designs. Jaguar was particularly wary when the new XJ was in development.

So all bets are off when it comes to design.

 

OMG Taurus.

 

Except for the Volvo S60R's wheel design, I'm not a fan of Volvo's typically undersized and conservative design on their rims.

I'm a wheel whore. h:

 

Exclusive pictures in this week's mag will give the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes a shock. Not only does the new Volvo S80 sport a bolder look, but to boost its appeal further there's a four-wheel-drive model, while a V8-powered flagship is expected in the range, too.

And engineers at the firm have paid particular attention to the handling to ensure the newcomer is as rewarding to drive as its key German rivals.

The new design will please fans of the brand. Trademark styling cues include the stepped rear-quarter panel and tail-light design. Up front, the family grille is mounted in a smooth angled bumper, while the sculpted headlamps come with classy clear lens caps. Door-mounted indicator repeaters complete the upmarket new look.

However, there are more far-reaching changes under the skin. A Volvo spokesman told Auto Express: "Our engineers have worked hard to ensure the new machine handles well, so it will appeal to keen drivers, and also provides a refined ride."

A powerful V8 engine could also be available in the range for the first time, with the 315bhp 4.4-litre powerplant from the XC90 off-roader the most likely candidate. "We've gone to the trouble of developing a V8, so it's reasonable to assume that it will feature in other models," admitted the spokesman. In traditional Volvo style, the compact unit would be mounted transversely rather than longitudinally.

The most powerful version of the existing S80 is the 272bhp 3.0-litre T6, so a V8 variant would really take the fight to the competition. The flagship could be available with a 4x4 set-up to rival that of the Audi A6 quattro.

The spokesman added: "It's still very early days, but we do offer four-wheel-drive versions of other models in our line-up." A V8-powered S80 with all-wheel drive is already available in the US market. However, this variant has never been offered in showrooms here, and as a result the big Volvo has always struggled to compete with top-of-the-range German offerings.

The new S80 is expected to arrive in the UK in summer next year, with prices starting from around £24,000.

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/58...8s_on_way.html

 

Test mules of the next Volvo S80 were caught this week north of Phoenix. Sharing platform components with the Ford Five Hundred, Ford Freestyle, and Mercury Montego, the upcoming S80 will be offered with a variety of engines, including the 315-horsepower Yamaha-engineered 4.4-liter V-8 and a new generation of Volvo-designed in-line six-cylinder engines with the top-of-the-range turbo pumping out 350 horsepower.

In addition to the S80, there is a possibility that Volvo will bring back the V90 wagon, which could follow the S80 by six months.

http://www.thecarconnection.com/inde...8&article=9163

 

(computer enhanced image)

This is the car Volvo hopes will give the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series and new Mercedes S-Class a run for their money.

The next generation S80's design won't feature radical changes but will be more an evolution of the current model and take design inspiration from the popular S40.

Volvo is keeping trademark styling cues such as the stepped rear-quarter panel and taillight design.

At the front there will be the familiar grille design but it will be placed in a smooth and angled bumpers. This will be complimented by clear-lens sculpted headlights and a curvaceous bonnet.

But the next S80 won't just be a pretty faces and Volvo engineers are working hard to ensure that the car's ride and handling will be a match for its German competitors. To boost this even more Volvo will ad all-wheel-drive derivatives to the range.

When the new S80 goes on sale at the end of next year it will come with the company's new V8 engine.

This engine, which was launched in the XC90 last year, produces 311 hp and its torque is 325 lb/ft at 3900 rpm.

http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/N...760278,00.html