• Another important feature of this transmission is what is known as driver adaptation- the transmission adapts itself to the driving style of the driver, varying the gear pattern and points of gear change, depending on how the car is being driven. This eliminates the need for selective driving modes, as this is automatically taken care of by the transmission.

• However, it still features a winter mode, marked "W" (Winter) on the selector gate, for safer take-off and driving on slippery surfaces. In the "W" mode, the car starts in third gear to prevent the wheels from spinning or making sudden movements.

• In order to transfer all 268 hp and 280 ft. Ibs. of torque to the ground, the Volvo S80 T6 also features a viscous clutch to distribute the power between the driving wheels. The wheel with the best grip on the road surface receives more power than the other wheel, and this continues if the conditions change. The car therefore feels more stable and well-controlled at high speeds on twisting roads, with a noticeable increase in pulling power when cornering.

• A third decisive factor when it comes to the driving experience is the way a car responds to steering input and the way it stops, i.e. steering and brakes.

• The very responsive rack-and-pinion steering has speed-adaptive power assistance which maintains road feedback and stability at higher speeds and makes it very light at low speeds, when parking or maneuvering in tight spaces, for example.

• Large-diameter, powerful disc brakes all around with ABS and electronic braking force distribution, are designed to help the operator stop safely from various speeds, providing for safe stopping from any speed. The general feel of the brake pedal at any speed is just as important as the braking performance. The system must respond to driver's input in such a way that the driver really feels that the pedal is an extension of his/her right foot, rather than being something separate that has to be manipulated. This is important to enable the driver to precision-adapt the braking force.

• The general body and chassis design, the position of the driveline and the battery in the trunk, all give the car very good weight distribution with a 57/43 ratio. This makes an important contribution to the fine handling characteristics.

• The chassis layout of the Volvo S80 with all its components and features, the STC, DSTC and EBD systems, are described in greater detail under the heading active safety.

• Although a car is not primarily experienced through its electrical system, the revolutionary new electrical system in the Volvo S80 has a natural position alongside engines, transmissions and chassis performance.

• To give you an idea of what has happened to the electrical system in cars over the years, the first Volvo back in 1927 had four fuses, protecting a mere 90 ft. of electrical cable.

• Seventy years later, the Volvo of 1997 had 54 fuses for 3,800 ft. of cables and a host of functions, which were totally unknown in 1927. For example, the total computer power in the car is more than 6 Mb.

• By tradition, each function has had its own system and each system has had one supplier. The capacity of the electrical system was measured in terms of the sum of the number of components

• But this simply could not continue; the need for a radical change was pressing.