The 2001 VOLVO S80 SEDAN- You've seen them on the streets. They are beautiful automobiles. They have style, elegance, and grace. Their lines flow like an awesome river, their skin is soft and smooth, and their looks are downright majestic. You take a closer look, and, o my gosh, it's a Volvo! The beautiful vixen you are probably looking at is the S80. And what's even more wonderful is that if it is a T6, it's beautiful under hood as well.

It is obvious that Volvo has really put some time and effort into developing a car that looks as beautiful as it runs. Their time and money have really paid off in a beautiful car that keeps you safer than any other spot on the planet.

The S80 has a wonderful assortment of goodies: Most of them come standard: power windows and mirrors, heated seats, genuine wood interior trim, keyless remote, four-way adjustable steering column, fully automatic climate control with dual zone controls (and air filter), AM/FM/CD/cassette sound system, speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering, and four-wheel disc brakes, including ABS. No need to mention all the safety hardware Volvo has become famous for, but it's there. Protecting you, like it has been for the last century. The best part about the S80, is the optional navigation system, unique in that it's mounted high on the dash, much more in the driver's line of sight than a console screen. This is much safer, and much more convenient for the driver. The screen module also retracts when not in use, and the system can be operated via controls on the steering wheel. We feel very strongly that there aren't any better nav systemÕs currently available. No other system combines safety, convenience, safety, usability, safety, and aesthetics better than this model.

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Enough about Volvo's being boxes on wheels: With each new model, Volvo rounds off a few more edges, and has since made the cars actually aerodynamic. The S80, which was built on a fresh-from-the-ground-up platform, comes standard with a naturally aspirated 201-horsepower DOHC six, and the twin-turbocharged S80 T6, which ups the horsepower ante to 268. What makes these beauty's unique is that they are the industry's first and only front-drive sedans powered by a transverse-mounted, inline six-cylinder engine. No more 9 Series for Volvo, this new flagship hopes to lead Volvo into the new millennium, and it's been doing a good job so far.

The new T6 powerplant is basically flawless: No turbo lag, a tasty wide torque band, and ultra-smooth performance. T6 models include a newly developed Geartronic "manumatic" transaxle, allowing the driver the choice of fully automatic or sequential shift modes. We do wish the four speed auto had another gear in it though, however the four that it does have gets you from point A to point B ultra quick and super smooth. A stiff chassis structure and the well-tuned suspension prove for a supple yet controlled ride/handling balance that's neither too soft or cloudy, or too hard or stiff. This is luxury-sport-sedan. While driving, you never forget each part of that nomenclature means just that. Also, the S80 is exceptionally quiet inside, holding both wind and road noise to a hush.

What we don't like is the price: The fully loaded T6 will run you just under 50 G's. Besides competing against Audi A6s, Saab 95s, and Lexus GS 300s, it very nearly rubs stickers against V-8 versions of cars like the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5 Series, and the aforementioned Lexus. Though Volvo is second to none in some aspects, we're not sure it could compete with the German bad boys. But the well-equipped non-turbo starts at just $35,820, and at that, the S80 deserves to be on your mid-luxury shopping list.

To call the Volvo boxy is a crime: It is obvious that Volvo has really put some time and effort into developing a car that looks as beautiful as it runs. Their time and money have really paid off in a beautiful car that keeps you safer than any other spot on the planet. Go out and buy a Volvo without thinking twice: no. But if your trying to decide what luxury-sport-sedan it is you want to buy, put the new S80 T6 on your list, it deserves that. At the very least. AZ/AutoNetDirect.com

SEE BELOW FOR THE NEW VOLVO S80 SPECIFICATIONS