The new D3 should make the S80 the most logical choice for conventional Volvo fans.
WHAT'S NEW?
The Volvo S80 now has a competitive diesel engine range to suit Thai taxes. The new D3 has a 2.0-litre motor to attract a tax rate of 30%, whereas the old D5 had to be content with 35% due to the 2.4-litre engine capacity.
And that doesn't mean that performance has taken a back seat. The D3 produces outputs practically on par with those of the D5 including 163hp and 400Nm of torque, and it's also more economical than before at 16.9kpl on the average.
Thus, the D3 is now attractively priced at 2.699 million baht _ more than 1 million cheaper than supposed rivals like the BMW 520d and Mercedes-Benz E250 CDI.
And in the S80's own game today, the D3 is priced between the Business and Superior versions of the 2.5FT, a petrol-powered S80 that can additionally run on E10, E20 and E85. The D3's positioning is more or less a result of equipment level.
WHAT'S COOL?
Despite the inferior performance figures on paper the D3 has over the 2.5FT, it doesn't feel so in the real world. In fact, the D3's impressive torque can be felt when accelerating from low speeds and helps yield performance that's effortless enough to make you dismiss those statistics.
More important is economy. If you really need an economical S80 _ or even any Volvo now on sale in Thailand _ look no further. The D3 is it, and you can stop reading here if you need to get a buy from us for this diesel S80.
The other highlights of the D3 are the usual virtues of the S80: light and direct steering, comfortable seats, tidy fascia design, safety kit and novelties pertaining to driver assistance systems.
And despite passing mid-life, the S80 still hasn't aged in appearance. Thanks in part to some small cosmetic touch-ups like the wheels and interior trim for model year 2011.
Cabin mixes wood and aluminium trim.
WHAT'S NOT?
Since the D3 is priced between the two 2.5FTs, buyers need to concentrate a little on the specification. For example, the D3 doesn't get the complete driving aids of the Superior, nor does it feature sunshades for rear passengers _ something you can find in the oil-burning German cars.
And it's when you put these two particular rear-wheel-drive rivals into perspective that the shortcomings of the front-drive D3 become pronounced, such as inferior mid-range punch and handling finesse.
Volvo has introduced softer springs into the D3 to increase comfort during highway-driving. But such a treatment hasn't been able to eradicate the occasional thump the rear end makes over sharp bumps at low speeds.
D3’s engine is equally as powerful as old D5’s.
BUY OR BYE?
If you'd been hoping for a diesel S80 to match the 520d and E250 CDI on the move, you'd be disappointed because it's no match for them in terms of both performance and driving manners.
Fortunately, the D3 has that huge price advantage to boast _ blimey, it's even cheaper than the smaller 320d and C250 CDI. You now start to think whether Volvo has ditched its upmarket forays against the Germans.
Because of that, this will ultimately depend on whether you're going to place sophistication or financial sanity as a priority.
But for Volvo loyalists _ as said earlier _ the D3 could be regarded as a decent buy because it melds together many of the brand's virtues and its price that doesn't exceed 3 million baht.
Add that with the new-found levels of fuel economy. Fans of old big Volvos should like it.
The D3 asks for 2.699 million baht.
Chassis is tailored for comfort.
Credit: Bangkok Post (www.bangkokpost.com)
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