Volvo · 1998–2016

Volvo S80

The Volvo S80 is an executive car produced by the Swedish manufacturer Volvo Cars from 1998 to 2016 across two generations. It took the place of the rear-wheel-drive S90 as Volvo's flagship sedan. The first generation (1998–2006) was made available for the 1999 model year. It has since been built at the Torslanda Works in Gothenburg, Sweden, with a few 1999 model year cars for the North American market built at Volvo's Halifax Assembly plant. Unlike most Volvo models, it did not have a station wagon version for its first generation. The second generation (2006–2016) was released in 2006 for the 2007 model year. It has an estate version, the third generation of the Volvo V70. In June 2007, the S80 scored the highest "good" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test performance for frontal, side, and rear impacts, earning it the IIHS Top Safety Pick. The model was replaced by the second generation S90 in the later half of 2016.

Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Predecessor: Volvo 900 Series · Successor: Volvo S90

All Volvo S80 data: UK builds, safety, recalls, model years → + Compare

First generation (1998–2006)

The design takes styling cues from the Volvo ECC concept. The first-generation S80 is based on the Volvo P2 platform. Over 368,000 first-generation S80s were built. The S80 featured a straight-six engine in a transverse engine mounting. No existing manual gearbox would fit in the engine bay with the six-cylinder engine, so Volvo had to develop their own, the M65. It also featured an environmental specification, covering aspects such as allergens from textiles, fuel economy and the life cycle of the car from production to dismantling. Volvo continued its safety tradition, offering front and rear integrated crumple zones, driver and front passenger dual threshold airbags with a collapsible three-stage steering column, Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) supplemented with air bags for driver and front passenger, along with a side curtain airbag for front and rear passengers, anti-submarine seats, five padded head restraints with Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS), and automatic seat belt pretensioners while front belts also have height adjustment. The S80 was initially available with four different engines. Starting the range was a detuned 2.4-litre 104 kW (141 PS; 139 bhp) five-cylinder. This was also available as a compressed natural gas (CNG) and as a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) version. The fully tuned version produced 125 kW (170 PS; 168 bhp). Next up was a 2.9-litre 144 kW (196 PS; 193 bhp) six-cylinder, then 200 kW (272 PS; 268 bhp) T6, and finally, the 103 kW (140 PS; 138 bhp) 2.5-litre Volkswagen-sourced Turbocharged Direct Injection (TDI) diesel engine. The 2.9 has a straight-six engine, while the T6 was powered by a de-bored twin-turbocharged version. The S80 used CAN bus multiplexing wiring to simplify the various electronic components and safety systems and

Second generation (2006–2016)

The second generation S80 was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show on 28 February, with sales beginning in June 2006. It was offered with newly designed 3.2-litre straight-six or 4.4-litre V8 engine options, in combination with available four-wheel drive. The second-generation S80 is the first Volvo saloon model to become available with Volvo's compact, transversely fitted B8444S V8 with a power output of 315 PS (232 kW; 311 hp) and 440 N⋅m (325 lbf⋅ft) of torque developed jointly by Volvo Cars engine unit Skövde and Yamaha, but built by Yamaha of Japan. The engine features four catalytic converters and advanced electronics. The structure featured high strength boron steel for safety. The second generation S80 received the IIHS 2007 Top Safety Pick Award in overall safety protection. Also again in November the IIHS awarded the 2008 Volvo S80 with Top Safety Award. The new S80 is based on the Volvo P3 platform, also used for vehicles including the Ford S-Max, third generation Ford Mondeo, and Ford Galaxy large MPVs. Volvo's Personal Car Communicator (PCC) remote control will also be an optional feature with the new S80. The S80 is available with optional adaptive cruise control (ACC) with collision warning with auto brake (CWAB). Brake support offers additional assistance by preparing the braking system so that the car can begin stopping faster and preparing for panic brake application. S80 is also equipped with an adaptive brake light as standard which is active at speeds above 30 mph (48 km/h), and can sense the difference between normal and panic braking. Ready alert brakes (RAB) are also available to anticipate severe braking. It prepares for this by moving the brake pads closer to the discs. The S80 is available with a Blind Spot Information System as well as Lane

Special versions

The S80 is also used as a base for specialised cars such as lengthened limousines, hearses, and ambulances. One company producing such models is Nilsson Special Vehicles, based in Laholm, Sweden. Ambulance models receive a completely new body from behind the b-pillar as well as a raised roof. A sliding side door is installed on the right hand side (sometimes on both sides) and the tailgate is enlarged to allow easier access. Nilsson only manufactured ambulances based on the first generation S80. Nilsson has built limousines and hearses based on both generations of the S80. They also manufacture the official state car for a few heads of state, including for the King of Sweden and the King of the Netherlands. Armored versions were also available. The first generation could be ordered from the factory, with the actual armoring done by an outside company. The second generation armoured version was available from Czech specialists SVOS and no factory armoring was offered.

Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.

Specifications

name

Volvo S80

Manufacturer

Volvo Cars

Production

1998–2016, P2: August 1998–2006 (1st generation), P3: 2006–2016 (2nd generation)

Predecessor

Volvo 940 / Volvo 960 / Volvo S90 Sedan

Successor

Volvo S90 II

Class

Mid-size luxury / Executive car (E)

Body style

4-door saloon

Layout

Transverse Front engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive

Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Measured facts from Wikidata (CC0). Check the linked sources for citations.

More photos

US EPA fuel-economy records

US EPA test figures (US MPG, US test cycle).

Sources

• Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q542787CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_S80CC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1371712276 · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Wikimedia Commons — https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Volvo_S80_(TS)_Washington_DC_Metro_Area,_USA_(1).jpgCC BY 4.0 · Photo: OWS Photography · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Manufacturer website (link only) — https://www.volvocars.com/czLink only; no content copied · retrieved 2026-10-01
• Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.

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