Posted on
01 May 2010, under
Car / Travel; More Car / Travel articles...
Volvo S80
LARGE CARS AND GREEN DINOSAURS
Maybe I'm latched onto a dinosaur trend, but I still retain a liking for large cars. Fortunately I still get a chance to drive them. Right, buying a Volvo S80 does put you in the relatively expensive car league, although at €34,360 there is an argument that you're getting a nice chunk of metal for relatively affordable money. The review car, though, was the DRIVe version at €41,893. Now, at that extra chunk of cash, you have to wonder if going green is worthwhile?
First, putting a 1.6 diesel engine under the big bonnet sounds like sheer silliness. After all, it is basically the same diesel that you get in a Ford Focus, and the S80 is, in size, two segments up. Even the power/weight ratio has to mean a dawdly drive? Well, no, actually. Sure, at around 12 seconds for reaching the 100km/h mark it isn't anything approaching a sports car. But since the car I learned to drive in, probably a heavier weight and not a lot smaller, took upwards of 24 seconds for the same job, it is all a big improvement at least in my driving lifetime.
And in fact, against the big 2.4 diesel which would be the normal oilburner for this car, the drive perception doesn't have much difference between them. Putting the 109hp 1.6 in the S80 is Volvo's tilt at superior economy under its DRIVe 'green' range label. Along with a few other techniques, including low-resistance tyres, the official CO2 emissions are in Band A with 119g/km. While I had the car I averaged 6.1L/100km, which is what I got from a 1.0 petrol Toyota Yaris a couple of years ago.
The S80 in style terms is quite restrained, even conservative. But it is a thing about larger cars that conservatism will also usually mean elegance. So as a large car option, it could be ideal for the person who can afford one but doesn't want to be flash. In the current economic and lifestyle environment in Ireland, that's right on the button. The same sense of restraint applies inside. Quality minimalism, you could say. Maybe a little too ascetic in looks for some, but I'd be quite happy with it over the long term. Certainly there's nothing missing that one really needs to be comfortable.
There's good spreading room, no elbows knocking in the front for two or in the rear for three. Legroom and space for the heads in the back are also really good. Boot space is what you'd expect in the segment and class. A crib might be with the instruments and information readouts, which could really have done with a bit more colour and impact. Especially the main dials at night, which are a little grey for my taste.
Otherwise all controls are where they should be and do what they're supposed to. The phone keypad built into the centre stack system is a bit of clutter, but in reality won't be used much on the run. The steering wheel has a really nice heft to it, and incorporates elegantly the radio and cruise controls. The shifter neatly brings us through the transmission, though it surprised me that it is only a 5-speed box.
This S80 isn't designed for fast acceleration but it is nevertheless decent in takeoff and there's enough middle grunt to make one feel comfortable about overtaking. Putting the engine under pressure does make for a gruff engine sound, but under normal driving it is well muted. The ride is, well, relaxing. Maybe the underlying dynamics are very good, but this version isn't for sussing out the model's handling abilities at extremes. Driving a family or group of friends from point to point over reasonable roads, in a reasonable manner, is where it will show its best abilities.
Volvos are built to last, always have been. And over the last decade or so the brand has successfully shifted its place further into the prestige segment. This variant adds to this aura one of further thrift. Fuel prices are on the rise again after the blip downwards of last year, and realistically will continue to do so. By the time the third owner takes the wheel of this particular S80, its frugality may well have helped it retain a higher value than several of its current competitors.
In the meantime, though, if size, sense of place, and thrift all fit into your current need for a car above the mainstream class, your local Volvo dealer could do worse than letting you take a long spin and have you establish the experience for yourself. And there's no better way to start the journey by noting that, with a full tank, there's more than 1,200km to go before you need to drive into a service station again.
But here's the final thing. As first owner you're paying €7,533 extra for the pleasant feeling of going really green with this car against the entry version. In the time that you will own it, will you save that much fuel and Road Tax? Do the math, as they say in the US. Then make your choice, with your heart or with your head. And, without prejudice, ask yourself also if the Green Political Machine in Ireland actually did its homework properly when it mucked around with the motoring taxes system here after it became the wildly wagging tail of Government?
After all, the motor business was paying a lot of TD wages, of all political colours, before they performed their Green version of 'Godspell VRT'. After they did, at least 12,000 people in the business lost their jobs before they finally agreed to a scrappage scheme to boost the trade. Which begs the question, now who is paying the wages of the Green Pipers of Hamelin Ireland?
Brian Byrne of Car and Travel - The Irish Car and Travel News Portal, visit here...
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