Performance Review: Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Volvo S80 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Volvo S80 has a 2992cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St6's includes the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965

The S80 shares its Petrol St6 engine configuration with the likes of the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965 and the . If you're looking for other fast cars which share the S80's Front Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1573 kgs (3467 lbs) this makes the Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Volvo S80 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp)

In terms of power the 2992cc 24V St6 engine produces 268 bhp (199 kW) @ 5200 rpm similar to the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (276 bhp) or the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (290 bhp).

The Turbo St6 throws out 280 lb-ft (379.6 Nm) @ 1800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Volvo S80 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo (195.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Volvo S80.

The Volvo S80 has a Power to weight ratio of 170.3 bhp per ton and 178.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 S80 competing with the 2009 Bentley Mulsanne 6.8 V8 Twin Turbo (195.3 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Maybach 62 5.5 V12 Auto (195.3 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Volvo S80 generating around 178.0 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2001 Mercedes C Class 32 AMG (203.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1993 Mercedes E Class 60 AMG 6.0 V8 W124 (202.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 7.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 7.3 secs, this made the Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo as fast as the 2018 Abarth 595 Turismo 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs) the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 SDV6 (7.10 secs) the 2012 Lexus ES 350 (7.10 secs) the or the 2011 Abarth 500C Essesse 1.4 Turbo (7.10 secs). This Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo is also faster than the 2018 Abarth 695 XSR Yamaha Automated (7.20 secs) the 2015 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTD 2.0 TDI DSG (7.20 secs) the 2014 Peugeot 308 GT 1.6 Turbo (7.20 secs) the and the 2013 Volvo S60 T5 2.5 Turbo (7.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the S80 and the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12

When talking about the performance of the Volvo S80 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.61 secs @ 93.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1986 Ferrari 412 i 4.9 V12 (14.56 secs), the 1997 Audi A4 S4 2.7T Quattro (14.56 secs), and the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta 235 Cloverleaf (14.56 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 S80 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2003 S80 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Volvo

Car Comparison