wheel32
12-31-2007, 08:47 AM
Five cars, a total of about sookm of road to traverse, means that you get a IOokm with each model; the motoring equivalent of a one night stand. You might not get her details, but you definitely know how she rides! Now now, don't insinuate that I am naughty, I speak solely of the recent Volvo drive to get a peek of whats in store for India. With two models, namely the S80 luxury sedan and the XC 90 SUV, plus their various avatars in the form of different engine choices ranging from a 2-4 litre diesel, the 3.2 litre petrol and the formidable 4-4 litre V8, my 24 hours with these cars was cut out.
The S80 is a luxury barge that is here to take on the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen. Volvo has actually gone in for a look that is finally in the league of good looking vehicles, rather than their boxy armoured car style of the past. The new S80 has a very Aston Martin/Jaguar look that should gel well with the Indian audience, plus it comes with the legendary Volvo safety standards, a feature that Volvo is renowned for. Of course the cream of the crop is the V8 version, that not only packs a punch with a 4-4 litre engine that churns out 3rSbhp, but also comes with the highest spec list in terms of gadgets, gizmos as well as interior fit and finish. Now before you start hollering and shoot me down, the other two models, namely the 3.2-litre inline six cylinder as well as the 2-4-litre diesel are also very well kitted and set to take on the competition with elan.
37
Driving is obviously a different ball game as each engine has its own qualities. The V8 is a brutal monster that leaves everything staggering in its wake. The fact that it is the only S80 version to come with AWD means that it handles better than the soft sprung diesel and in-line six which come with front wheel drive only.
The XC 90S available for the trip were one short. The 3.2 litre version was decommissioned for our trip, so we had to make do with the diesel DS and the all mighty V8. As you would have noticed, the engines are shared with the S80 range, but thanks to the added bulk the dynamics Of course, being Volvos and SUVs, the XC 90S all come with AWD, plus a heightened level of safety features in terms of front and rear roll bars, stability control etc. For Volvo, safety still dominates as it is the company's USP.
36
The wide XC 90 is brilliant to drive in India. Not as big as say a Q7, the Volvo SUV is easy to manage in crowds and overall drivability is just great. Power is not a question with the V8 for obvious reasons, but the 2.4¬litre 18Sbhp diesel did feel a bit sluggish, unlike its responsive nature in the sedan version. Competing with the likes of the Xs and M-Class, the XC90 will really have to prove its mettle. The V8 is a good start, but Volvo will have to work on making the design more in line with today's SUVs.
Wrapping up a stellar 24 hours with some fine drives and images of flooring the V8 models to kingdom come, I must leave you here. After all this was just a quick one nighter, more will follow in this love affair, and guys, please, I speak only of cars.
The S80 is a luxury barge that is here to take on the likes of BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Volkswagen. Volvo has actually gone in for a look that is finally in the league of good looking vehicles, rather than their boxy armoured car style of the past. The new S80 has a very Aston Martin/Jaguar look that should gel well with the Indian audience, plus it comes with the legendary Volvo safety standards, a feature that Volvo is renowned for. Of course the cream of the crop is the V8 version, that not only packs a punch with a 4-4 litre engine that churns out 3rSbhp, but also comes with the highest spec list in terms of gadgets, gizmos as well as interior fit and finish. Now before you start hollering and shoot me down, the other two models, namely the 3.2-litre inline six cylinder as well as the 2-4-litre diesel are also very well kitted and set to take on the competition with elan.
37
Driving is obviously a different ball game as each engine has its own qualities. The V8 is a brutal monster that leaves everything staggering in its wake. The fact that it is the only S80 version to come with AWD means that it handles better than the soft sprung diesel and in-line six which come with front wheel drive only.
The XC 90S available for the trip were one short. The 3.2 litre version was decommissioned for our trip, so we had to make do with the diesel DS and the all mighty V8. As you would have noticed, the engines are shared with the S80 range, but thanks to the added bulk the dynamics Of course, being Volvos and SUVs, the XC 90S all come with AWD, plus a heightened level of safety features in terms of front and rear roll bars, stability control etc. For Volvo, safety still dominates as it is the company's USP.
36
The wide XC 90 is brilliant to drive in India. Not as big as say a Q7, the Volvo SUV is easy to manage in crowds and overall drivability is just great. Power is not a question with the V8 for obvious reasons, but the 2.4¬litre 18Sbhp diesel did feel a bit sluggish, unlike its responsive nature in the sedan version. Competing with the likes of the Xs and M-Class, the XC90 will really have to prove its mettle. The V8 is a good start, but Volvo will have to work on making the design more in line with today's SUVs.
Wrapping up a stellar 24 hours with some fine drives and images of flooring the V8 models to kingdom come, I must leave you here. After all this was just a quick one nighter, more will follow in this love affair, and guys, please, I speak only of cars.