Volvo S80 on steroids

An Audi S6-rivalling Volvo? It seems inconceivable, but the Swedish manufacturer recently issued details of a four-door hotshoe that all but fits this description.

Previewed just before last week's Frankfurt motor show, the muscle-bound S80 High Performance Concept will make its official public debut at October's SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show in Las Vegas, USA.

It wouldn't be the first time Volvo has used the SEMA show to exhibit go-faster offerings as last year it wowed show-goers with a trio of funky C30-based concepts, and in previous years it's pulled the wraps off stove-hot versions of the S40, V50 and S60.

The S80 HPC isn't an in-house project though, as the tweaking was carried out by German Volvo dealer and motorsport tuner Heico Sportiv.

Rather than using the current S80 flagship's 4.4-litre V8 as the basis, Heico Sportive instead opted for a high-boost turbo version of Volvo's new inline six-cylinder engine.

Euro sources suggest Heico plumped for the turbo six as it's more compatible with clean-burning E85 fuel -- which is made up of 85 per cent ethanol and 15 per cent unleaded. Although currently rated at 260kW, the German tweaker expects the final output to be closer to 300kW.

Drive is channeled to all four wheels and the S80 HPC is reportedly capable of accelerating to 100km/h in the five-second bracket -- not bad for a marque that many Australians still associate with geriatric hat-wearers.

The new concept should help reshape public perception of the brand in more ways than one as it sports an overt bad-boy stance, courtesy of a 40mm lower ride height, 20-inch forged alloys and gumball rubber.

It also wears a blinged-out, metal-effect paint job that comprises seven layers, which apparently took two weeks to apply. Then there's that in-yer-face bodykit, which includes a chin-scraping front spoiler, side skirts and a rear diffuser with neat exhaust cutouts.

Inside, there's an abundance of blue leather trim and rear bucket seats in lieu of the standard car's three-person bench. Of course, the standard tiller and gearknob are also turfed in favour of sportier accoutrements.

There's no word on production potential as yet, but a positive public response at the SEMA show could result in the S80 HPC being given the green light.

We just hope it has sharper dynamics than the S60 R, which sounded good on paper, but failed to live up to the hype.

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