Now we learn that Chinese website AutoSina captured a camouflage-free prototype of the updated S80L, which is a China-market only version of the car sporting a 140mm or 5.5-inches longer wheelbase.
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Speaking to Autonews Europe on the sidelines of the show last week, Doug Speck, global head of marketing and sales for Volvo Car, said that the Swedish automaker plans a "major refresh" for two of its sedans.
These include the mid-size S60 that was only just presented in 2010, and the larger S80 that has been in production since 2006 having been modestly updated in 2010.
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The new diesel, which is designated D3, has an output of 136HP and 350Nm (258.1 lb-ft) of torque and slots between the 115HP D2 and the 163HP D4 engines. It will be available in the S60, V60, XC60, V70 and S80 models and can be combined with both manual and automatic transmissions.
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The clip starts with a black Volvo S80 driving normally on a traffic jammed road, allegedly somewhere in Moscow, Russia, but as soon as the cars in front stop, the driver pulls the vehicle diagonally on the road and then three men dressed in black jump out of the car.
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Starting with Volvo’s premium sedan model, a special badge on the C-pillar hints at the enhanced features inside, which include a leather wrapped instrument panel, ventilated soft leather seats with massage function, leather-covered door panels, an aluminum center console storage compartment and an analogue clock on the dashboard. The extra thick carpets and an optional fridge in the rear seat that comes with a set of Swedish crystal glasses round off the equipment upgrades.
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While Volvo did not release any technical details on the Concept Universe, the fact that it measures less than 5 meters in length points at a design study for a replacement for the firm’s S80 sedan and not a larger, Mercedes-Benz S-Class rival that the Swedish company’s Chinese owner Geely has been recently talking about.
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For the 2011 model year, Volvo is introducing a new five-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo diesel that will be available throughout its range while the Swedish automaker also upgraded the six-cylinder petrol engines offered on the S80, V70, XC70 and XC60.The new five-cylinder diesel unit is in principle the same engine as the 2.4-litre diesel, but its displacement has been reduced (with a shorter stroke) to 2.0-liters. It will be offered in three different variants in terms of output.
Both cars continue to use a 1.6-liter diesel with 109HP and 240Nm of peak torque that's hooked up to a five-speed manual gearbox.
However, Volvo's engineers employed a smart battery recharging system that 'forces' the alternator to charge the battery only when the engine is operating at low load (e.g. when driving downhill), while they also redesigned the tensioner and alternator pulleys.
"Smart battery recharging is the most important measure," says Ulf Nordström, Technical Project manager at Volvo Cars.
"It is primarily thanks to this that we have dipped below the 120-gram level that gives car owners tax breaks and other benefits in a number of European countries. What is more, one might say that we offer the normal driver one free tank of fuel a year," Nordström added.
The Swedish automaker said that the reduction in fuel consumption from a combined 4.9 lt/100 km to 4.5 l/100 km means that someone driving 15,000 km a year will save 60 liters of diesel or as Nordström put it, one fuel tank.
Volvo did not disclose any performance figures for the updated 2010MY S80 and V70 DRIVe, but just to get an idea, the 2009MY S80 DRIVe accelerates from standstill to 100km/h in a claimed 12.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 118mph or 189 km/h.
We say that, while any efforts to improve CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are more than welcome, fitting a puny 1.6-liter diesel engine in cars of the size and weight of the S80 and V70, isn't exactly pioneering anything new...
Even though Volvo did not mention anything about Ford, we suspect that the new four-cylinder unit that combines turbocharging technology and direct injection with twin variable camshafts, is either the same engine or heavily based on FoMoCo's new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine that will be used on several cars including the European Mondeo and the Australian Falcon.
Volvo said that the new 2.0 GTDi petrol engine produces an output of 203 horsepower and 300 Nm or 221.3 lb-ft of peak torque that is sustained from 1750 rpm all the way up to 4,000 rpm.
The engine will be offered in combination with Volvo's automatic six-speed Powershift transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox
"We've succeeded in making a four-cylinder engine that is as powerful as a 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and it's also much more energy-efficient," said Magnus Jonsson, head of Product Development at Volvo Cars.
"One of the most important reasons behind the results is our new, patented turbo system that has been tailor-made for smaller energy-efficient engines," Jonsson added.
With this new engine and the six-speed manual gearbox, the S80 sedan accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds while returning a combined fuel consumption of 7.9 lt /100km which is equal to 29.8mpg US and 35.8mpg UK.
Volvo said that the new 2.0 GTDi engine is being initially launched on markets that offer tax incentives for engines below two liters in displacement including South-East Asia, the Netherlands, China and Japan, adding that more countries/regions will follow later in the year.
More than 17,600 MY2008-2009 Volvo S80 sedans, V70 station-wagons and XC70 crossovers are being recalled in the States because of a potential problem with the engine cooling fan. The Swedish automaker said that due to a software programming error in the fan control module, the engine cooling fan may stop working. Depending on conditions, the driver could face reduced air conditioning performance, and/or a rapid increase in engine coolant temperature.The recall is expected to begin in July with Volvo dealers replacing the fan control module on the affected vehicles free of charge. Concerned owners may contact Volvo for more information directly at 1-800-458-1552.
It's recall time for Volvo as the Swedish automaker has detected a faulty diagnostic software in the central electronic module (CEM) on the MY 2007-2008 S80, V70 and XC70 models. Volvo said that the software problem could cause the windshield wipers to not operate when activated or in certain cases they may be activated when not switched on. Overall, some 12,300 S80s, V70s and XC70s are affected from this recall. Beginning from May, Volvo dealers will inspect the CEM and if required, upgrade the software free of charge.
When the subtly revised S80 hits Volvo showrooms this summer, buyers will be able to opt between two new chassis, the Lowered Dynamic Chassis and the Comfort Chassis. In the UK, the sporty Lowered Dynamic Chassis will be offered as standard on the SE and SE Lux models with the opportunity to specify the Comfort Chassis as a no cost option while the Comfort Chassis will be the only chassis available on the Executive trim level.
"For some customers, the driving experience is most important, while others priorities ride comfort," says Stefan Sallqvist, section manager for vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars. "We analyzed the different requirements and designed two alternative chassis with entirely different natures."
For those that prefer sportier driving characteristics and more responsive handling Volvo has made the Lowered Dynamic Chassis far more taut and rigid. More specifically, the car has been lowered by 20mm at the front and 15mm at the rear while the shock absorbers have been given greater damping ability on both compression and extension strokes. Furthermore, all the mountings on the sub-frame have harder bushings and the anti-roll bars have also been strengthened to give increased side stability in corners.
As for the Comfort Chassis, the S80's standard chassis has been re-engineered and comes with softer springs and more subtle damping to deliver a more comfortable ride to the saloon's passengers.
Following last year's announcement, on March 12th, Volvo launched the all-new, long-wheelbase S80L in China. Developed to meet the specific needs of Chinese consumers, the wheelbase of this S80L model is prolonged by 140mm reaching 2,975mm with a full length of 4,991mm. This results in a rear seat leg space of 1,025mm. Volvo has also upgraded the S80's standard equipment with such luxurious specifications as a refrigerator in the rear seat, Premium Sound, rear seat entertainment system, and more deeply padded leather seatsThe S80L, which is built in China, is available exclusively with a 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line turbocharged engine, with a maximum power rating of 285HP and a maximum output of 400 Nm torque at 1,500rpm. According to Volvo, it needs 7.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph).
Earlier today, Volvo published the first photos of the 2010 MY S80 saloon that received a mid-life facelift which includes subtle visual changes as well as two revised diesel engines and a new eco-friendly, but underpowered, DRIVe variant fitted with a 1.6-liter turbo diesel delivering an output of 109HP. The new S80 will be unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show in early March with sales commencing this spring.