Volvo S80 launched in India for Rs 41.35 lakh

Volvo has launched the 2014 S80 facelift in India for Rs 41.35 lakh at an event held at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. Globally unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, the car is available with two diesel engines and features a number of cosmetic and technological updates to set it apart from the previous car.

The base D4 version has been priced at Rs 41.35 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) while the D5 version has been priced at Rs 44.80 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi). The Volvo India website lists five trim levels for the new S80- Standard, Kinetic, Momentum, Summum and Inscription with a number of customisation options.

Volvo continues to employ Ford’s D3 architecture and the overall design in the 2014 S80. The front of the car adorns a new smaller and wider grille, more in line with the other Volvo cars, a restyled bumper and headlamps, which now integrate LED Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). The S80 also gets new alloys, more rounded tail lamps and a redesigned rear bumper with integrated dual-exhausts.

Equipment wise, the car has been updated with Sensus Connected Touch infotainment system with a 7-inch display, Active High Beam control, heated windscreen anda three-spoke steering wheel with paddle-shifters. A new Laser Assisted Automatic Braking system senses emergency situations beforehand and pre-charges the brakes to increase the impact of braking or even deploys them in case they aren’t applied on time. New upholstery with a wider choice of colours has also been introduced for the interiors.  

Like the architecture, the engines in the Volvo S80 have also been borrowed from Ford. The D4 variant is powered by a 2.0-litre diesel engine and the D5 variant is powered by a 2.4-litre, both of which are five-cylinder units. While the former produces 163bhp and 400 Nm of torque, the latter one produces 215bhp and 440Nm torque. The S80 is electronically limited to 225kmph.

Volvo brand is globally known for the high safety standards of its cars. Though the S80 does look quite plain Jane, it is equipped well and priced very competitively. The 2014 S80 will be Volvo’s contender in the luxury sedan segment, till the next generation S80 arrives by 2017, which based on Volvo’s all-new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). The S80 is imported as a completely-built-unit (CBU) for the Indian market and goes up against Audi A6, BMW 5 Series, Jaguar XF and the Mercedes E-Class.