The first Volvo S80 was a mid-size saloon that was actually bigger (but not taller) than the XC90 SUV. As the limousine transfer for Virgin Airlines, the car was obviously big enough for a couple of Louis Vuitton luggage pieces in the boot, too. The airline’s founder, Richard Branson, seemed really pleased with it when he granted a magazine interview from the backseat of one.
With the new 2007 S80, the 1.88m tall multi-talented millionaire will not be able to fit on the backseat – not without leaving some of his wavy hair on the roof lining, that is.
Limited rear headroom aside, this new S80 echoes Volvo’s recent change in preoccupation. Since it injected a rush of power and slapped an “R” badge on the S60/V70, Volvo has been trying to tell the world that it can be as fun as a certain Bavarian car company.
The S80 shifts its attention to the driver’s seat, and it doesn’t take long for any driver to notice. While its predecessor often struggled around corners and heaved uncomfortably at all the wrong places, the new car charms with its athleticism.
Although the S80 is minutely bigger than the car it replaces (by no more than 40mm in any direction), it feels markedly smaller on the road. The car is easier to place, whether on the straights or in a hairpin.
The charming offbeat burble from the 2.5-litre 5-cylinder engine as it starts to gather serious shove seems more relevant in this sportier car than the one it replaces. With its nicely responsive chassis, the turbocharged engine has more opportunities to let the 200 horses and 300 Newton-metres out to gallop.
Earlier Volvos have always been difficult to park. The combination of broad shoulders, poor turning radius and thick pillars meant that slotting the Volvo into the lot was often a nudge-and-run affair. This S80 seems to have less of such a trait. So, other than being a bit more fun to drive, it’s actually an easier car for mundane activities, too.
And you don’t really have to be a Richard Branson to appreciate that. 
Read our review of the 2007 Volvo S80 3.2.
