Okay, enough about Volvos being boxy cars. With each new model, Volvo round-files another set of styling drawings done only with a ruler. In the case of the new-for-'99 S80, there are now plenty of curves, along with exceptionally high feature content. Built on a fresh-from-the-ground-up platform, this full-size luxury sedan comes in two flavors: the standard S80, powered by a naturally aspirated 201-horsepower DOHC six, and the twin-turbocharged S80 T6, which ups the horsepower ante to 268. Both S80s are unique in that they're the industry's only front-drive sedans powered by a transverse-mounted, inline six-cylinder engine. They replace the former 9 Series rear-drive machines, which dated back to '83, although they're not yet offered in a wagon variant.
Our S80 was loaded with hardware, although most of it comes standard: power windows and mirrors, heated seats, genuine wood interior trim, keyless remote, four-way adjustable steering column, fully automatic climate control with dual zone controls (and air filter), AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system, speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes, including ABS. There's also more safety hardware, active and passive, than we have room to list; but then, you'd expect that in a Volvo.
A particularly well-executed option on our T6 tester was Volvo's navigation system, unique in that it's mounted high on the dash, much more in the driver's line of sight than a console screen. The screen module also retracts when not in use, and the system can be operated via controls on the steering wheel. These design aspects combine to make it one of the very best navs currently available.
There's little to fault with the T6 powerplant: virtually no turbo lag, a wide torque band, and being an inline-six, it's ultra smooth. T6 models include a newly developed Geartronic "manumatic" transaxle, allowing the driver the choice of fully automatic or sequential shift modes. The transmission shifts quickly and crisply, although we're disappointed that it only packs four gears. A stiff chassis structure and the well-tuned suspension strike an appropriately supple yet controlled ride/handling balance that's neither too mushy, nor too edgy for a luxury machine. There's plenty of room for five, and the instrument/dash design is handsome and ergonomically sensible. And the S80 is exceptionally quiet inside, holding both wind and road noise to a hush.