TOP OF THE LINE

Despite the wide choice of luxury cars in India, the Volvo S80 sedan still makes for good buy8212;and not just because it8217;s the safest thing on wheels

Unlike most European carmakers who are waking up to the potential of the Indian automobile market, Volvo has been studying it for some time now. It took them more than three years that spanned a tedious homologation process and their own exhaustive tests, for the Swedish company to finally introduce two of their best products: the premium sedan S80 and the SUV XC 90. We checked out both these cars and here8217;s our take on the sedan.<
The S80 was introduced globally in 1997 as a replacement for the rear wheel-driven S90 sedan. The car is known to be one of the safest sedans in the world with the highest crash test ratings in its segment. In fact, Volvo8217;s image of a company that takes safety very seriously has a lot to do with the perception of the S80. So, it8217;s interesting that Volvo has chosen its safest sedan to venture into a market that is so prone to accidents.

Exterior
The sedan has a very conventional executive look with a no-nonsense, please-all approach. It doesn8217;t have the flamboyance of a BMW, Audi or a Merc and is understated. The design is that of a seamless sedan with no aberrations or inconsistencies even for the sake of breaking the monotony. From wraparound headlamps to tail lights and grille, the proportion is maintained to give a balanced look to the car. And as is often the case with high-end sedans, it looks best in black.

Interiors
The S80 has a large wheelbase of over 2,800 mm which translates into a roomier cabin. While the front-seat occupants feel pampered in any premium car, it8217;s the back passengers who are more at ease here. The legroom is generous and more than what an average Indian might need8212;even though the car is not meant for the average Indian. The luxury angle is taken care of by super-cool air conditioning and heated seats at the front, a storage compartment at the centre, and armrests in the rear. The polish and finish are top notch, and nothing really disappoints you.

Engine and Powertrain
The S80 comes with three engine options: the D5 five-cylinder turbocharged diesel, the 3.2-litre six-cylinder petrol and the 4.4-litre eight-cylinder V8 petrol. The V8, with its extra cylinders, is by far the best performer and zips like no other sedan available in India right now. The V8 belts out a massive 315 bhp at 5,950 rpm and an even more impressive torque of 440 Nm at 3,950. The other two engines pale in comparison, with the 3.2 litre delivering 238 horses at a high 6,200 rpm, while the D5 diesel delivers just 185 bhp at 4,000 rpm. While we touched 165-170 kmph as top speed with all three engines, the performance is distinct for all. The diesel is the most unhappy at being revved hard and lets its discomfort known beyond 150 kmph. The 3.2 litre is a shade better, but the V8 is always eager to outdo your expectations. While we could not test it, the V8 can easily cross the 200 kmph barrier.

Fuel Efficiency
The age-old rule of performance being inversely proportional to fuel efficiency is often true though a lot of carmakers in the East are trying to prove it otherwise. The D5 gave the best mileage figures, varying from 8-12 kmpl. The 3.2 litre gave us 9-10 kmpl on an average, while the V8 was a real guzzler returning just 7 kmpl. But for a car that costs over Rs 38 lakh, fuel efficiency must be the last thing on your mind.

Final word
With so many high-end luxury carmakers already in India, Volvo8217;s entry was long overdue. Though their choice of model is impressive and the diesel scored the least compared with its petrol siblings, it8217;s still one of the most powerful in its class. The 3.2 litre was a little disappointing and the drop in acceleration and excitement from the V8 is huge. The latter, on the other hand, is a complete outperformer and if you have to go for the petrol one, don8217;t think twice.