Volvo
A new performance saloon from the Swedish auto manufacturer Volvo will be unveiled sometime in the next two years.
The S80 High Performance Concept (HPC), designed by the German Volvo dealer Heico Sportiv, is set to debut at the SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas next month. The biggest automotive specialty products trade event, SEMA will run from October 30 to November 2 this year.
“We wanted to explore how far we could take a special high-performance version of the S80, and Heico’s impressive track record in motor sports and Volvo tuning made them the perfect partner for the job,” said Volvo product chief Lex Kerssemakers.
The Swedish auto maker presented the new concept car to motoring journalists before the Frankfurt motor show last week.
Running on biofuel, the S80 is a turbocharged engine that has 350 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and produces 550 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4000 rpm.
To complete its upgrading of Volvo parts to a proper performance saloon, Heico decreased the car’s height by 40 millimeters, enhanced the Volvo brakes, and fitted 20-inch alloy wheels with 255-profile Continental tires.
The S80 HPC sports seven layers of metallic paint that took two weeks to apply. The body kit includes modified front and rear bumpers, Volvo spoiler on the front and rear, integrated LED daytime running lights, and a new sports Volvo grille.
The interior of the car is covered in blue leather throughout. The current S80’s three-seat bench in the rear has been replaced with two bucket-style seats and an extended center console which mirrors the car’s floating console up front.
The future of the S80 HPC relies on the reception of the audience in Las Vegas in October. According to Volvo spokesperson Per-Ake Froberg, the Swedish auto company will enter the US market for hot saloons if there is a clear customer demand.
