T6 Turbo With Awd: Volvo S80s New Driveline

By: Glady Reign

The captivating S80 midsize luxury executive from Volvo has yet another thrilling addition to thrill aficionados. This time around, the Swedish automaker is offering the T6 Turbo with All Wheel Drive (AWD) as its new driveline. The performance engine is capable of producing 285 base horsepower.

"The T6 engine adds an extra dimension to the S80 engine range," said Hans Wikman, the Vice President for Vehicle Line Large Cars at Volvo Cars. "The engine has been programmed to provide the highest possible performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption and exhaust emissions."

The new driveline is based on the compact 3.2-liter in-line aluminum engine mated to the . The engine form part of the S80 engine range since its launch last year. The turbo version has a displacement of 3.0 liters and is very much capable of generating 285 base horsepower and no less than 295 pound-feet of torque. The maximum torque is on tap from just 1,500 rpm and remains available all the way up the rev range. As such, the luxury car could offer an outstanding and quick acceleration as well as smooth drivability.

The smaller cylinder displacement of the turbo version is compensated by the turbocharger. The system takes in exhaust gases in two stages. First, the inflow separated into two lots of three cylinders each. This system is called the twin-scroll technology, which allows use of a more compact and straightforward turbocharger. Then, the system delivers a superb and fast swift response, fully on a par with that from twin turbochargers.

The T6 model in the Volvo S80 is equipped with Volvo's AWD to provide instant traction. The AWD system distributes drive between the front and rear wheels through an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch. This is done to ensure the best possible road grip in all situations. The system features Instant Traction, which shifts drive at lightning speed from the front to the rear wheels when starting on a loose or slippery surface.

The T6 performance engine with the All Wheel Drive featured in the Volvo S80 was first introduced in the V70 in March 2007. Another new power train combination featured in the S80 is the 185 D5 turbo diesel with AWD. The five-cylinder D5 turbo diesel could also be combined with All Wheel Drive in the S80. The powerful D5 is capable of producing 185 horsepower and no less than 400 Nm of torque. The performance could be had across a particularly wide rev range.

The new D5 engine flaunts an electronically controlled turbocharger, sophisticated multi-point injection technology and a domineering engine management system to pave way for a striking auto performance. The driving experience of the S80 offers far high performance. Additionally, the driveability and traction are further enhanced by Volvo's engineers through the integration of the All Wheel Drive system with Instant Traction. A service-free particle filter is made a standard feature. This makes the D5 a highly eco-efficient alternative.

Separately, the automaker has signed a deal with the Microsoft Corp. to support two new Web-only video series from Reveille, the production company responsible for "The Office" and "Ugly Betty" TV shows. The deal also was supported by Chivas Brothers Ltd., a renowned whisky maker.

"Driving School" is a comedy about a driving instructor who imparts life lessons to his students. "This is the Life," on the other hand, is a travel and adventure show linked to a Chivas Regal advertising campaign. The television shows will arrive on Microsoft's MSN website in the next six months, Microsoft announced Tuesday at an advertising industry conference.

While it is enticing to tag the shows advertorials and leave it at that, Ben Silverman, Reveille's chief executive, said that he has tried to find more elegant ways to incorporate products and entertainment. "I don't want to be in something where you're ruining that content by stupid, clunky choices," said Silverman.

Microsoft declined to give details about financial and product-placement arrangements with and Chivas Regal and Volvo. But the deal is certainly aimed at improving the standing of the involved companies in their endeavor to boost sales and business goodwill.

Top Searches on
Car Focus
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 
 • 

» More on Car Focus