FAMILY SPRINTER: VOLVO S60 3.0T

Volvo has added to their ever-growing list of models with a new S80, sporting a new 3.0-litre in-line 6 cylinder motor.

The new S80 3.0T uses turbo technology to achieve power figures of 210kW and torque of 400Nm, which comes in at a very low 1500rpm. This means virtually all the pulling power of the car is available pretty much from when the key is turned on in the ignition. Good news for drivers not looking to rev their engines too high in order to access any significant amount of power. Performance figures are claimed to be 6.9 seconds for the 0 – 100km/h sprint, and a top end of 250km/h, limited. These are helped by Volvo’s All-Wheel-Drive system, which gives the car good traction for takeoff and grip. Fuel consumption is said to be a relatively frugal 11.2 litres per 100km.

The engine, aided by a 6-speed automatic Geartronic ‘box, is based on the existing 3.2-litre naturally aspirated Volvo engine. A lot of motor manufacturers nowadays are opting far more into turbo technology for power as well as compactness and better CO2 emission numbers, which incidentally are 267g/km in this instance. Interestingly Volvo’s using the same size engine and layout to almost match BMW’s multi-award-winning 3.0-litre twin turbo engine which produces 225kW and also 400Nm of torque.

Several new changes have been made to the Volvo S80 for the 2009 model year, including sun curtains for the rear doors and a rear spoiler. Favourite technologies included are BLIS which helps identify a object in the driver’s blind spot and active cruise control that automatically adjusts your speed to that of the car you are following. So if for instance, it slows down you slow down automatically too.

The S80 3.0T is priced at R516 000 standard.