The Volvo S60, an established entry in the luxury sedan market, is unique in many ways.

For one, this car manufactured by the Swedish auto company deviates from the trend as it offers three turbocharged five-cylinder engines. This is strikingly in contrast to many other sedans equipped with V6 engines. What sets it also apart from others is its distinct, Scandinavian styling. A midsize sedan, the S60’s interior is more of a functional than luxurious one with its ergonomically designed seats. Though its performance does not match that of other sedans, the S60 offers a fresh appeal especially for car enthusiasts who look for something new.

On the exterior, indicators are integrated into the larger Volvo mirrors. There is a low front Volvo spoiler and the Volvo grille has a wide chrome surround.

Its 2.5-liter engine is an improvement in terms of performance as compared to its 2.4 forerunner. The S60 2.5T features a turbocharged, 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder producing 208 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission directs power either to the front wheels or all four on all-wheel-drive (AWD) models.

Volvo parts that ensure safety include stability control, anti-whiplash seats, and full-length side curtain airbags. All have performed well in crash testing. Other options for the S60 are a navigation system and a 13-speaker Dolby sound system. Another safety innovation is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) that acts much like an extra set of eyes and utilizes digital camera technology to monitor the areas three meters to each side and up to 9.5 meter behind the driver.

Displayed at the ongoing Frankfurt International Motor Show in Germany, the Volvo ReCharge Concept is a rechargeable hybrid car that fuses innovation and green technology.

This Volvo concept, which was developed at Volvo’s Monitoring and Concept center in the United States, can be plugged in via a conventional electrical outlet. The new car can be driven for approximately 100 kilometers on battery power alone.

Integrated into the development of this Volvo concept car are a lot of Volvo parts enhancements, such as the lithium- polumer battery pack. This battery is incorporated into the luggage compartment and is expected to have a longer life span than the car itself.

“A certain proportion of electrical vehicles will be necessary to meet the carbon dioxide emission demands of the future,” said Magnus Jonsson, senior vice president for research and development at Volvo Cars.

Jonsson added: “This plug-in hybrid car, when used as intended, should have about 66 percent lower emissions of carbon dioxide compared with the best hybrid cars available on the market today. Emissions may be even lower if most of the electricity comes from carbon dioxide-friendly sources such as biogas, hydropower and nuclear power.”

The concept also uses Volvo brakes regeneration, which recharge the battery pack when braking.

According to Jonsson, there is rarely a need to visit a filling station if a person drives less than 100 kilometers a day. It takes only three hours to fully charge the car, but a one-hour charge is sufficient to drive around 50 kilometers.
When 70 percent of the battery power has been consumed, the combustion engine starts up. But the driver can control manually the engine using a button in the instrument panel.

Expected to save costs, the Volvo ReCharge Concept consumes fuel from zero to 5.5 liters per 100 kilometers. The car’s operating costs are said to be up to 80 percent lower than that of a comparable car that utilizes petroleum.

A lot of luxury sedans saturate the automotive industry today. Among these, the Volvo S80 is a car worth considering, especially for luxury sedan buyers who seek for an alternative. Exuding cutting-edge safety features and in-cabin technology, Volvo’s largest sedan has kept itself away from outright luxury and serious performance.

Featuring the most comfortable seats and high-quality audio systems, the Volvo S80 is absolutely among the safest four-door vehicles.

The 2007 version of the S80, though still sporting the look of the past S80 models, has a full upgrade and includes a new pair of engines. A midsize sedan, the S80 can accommodate four adults inside.

There are three versions of the S80 that are currently available in the market: the entry-level S80 3.2, the midrange S80 T6, and the high-line S80 V8. The S80 3.2 is a front-wheel drive and has a 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder that generates 235 horsepower, as well as a six-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the S80 T6 employs a turbocharged, three-liter inline-six rated for 281 horsepower. It has a standard all-wheel-drive system. The S80 V8, as its name suggests, has a 311-horsepower 4.4-liter V8.

Usual luxury facilities and Volvo parts come standard in all Volvo S80 models, which include leather upholstery, wood trim, power-adjustable seats, and dual-zone automatic climate control.

Volvo S80 owners can enjoy major Volvo S80 parts options, such as Volvo’s adaptive suspension, an excellent 12-speaker Dynaudio sound system, a navigation system, and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. The navigation system features a separate remote control that ensures safer operation by the front passenger while the car is in motion.

In terms of safety aspects, all Volvo S80 cars never fail to deliver. Among the safety systems designed are the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), Personal Car Communicator (PCC) and collision warning system (bundled with adaptive cruise control). Among the first systems of its kind, BLIS has warning lights that alarm the driver when another vehicle pulls up in the S80’s blind spot. The PCC features a heartbeat sensor to let the driver know if someone is still in the Volvo car after the alarm has been activated.

These useful features attract people to buy a Volvo S80. Winning additional points for the V8 model, in particular, are the comfortable seats and reasonable price.