At this time of year, road surfaces can quickly switch between ice, asphalt and snow and the Volvo S80 and new XC70's both offer impressive stability, consistency and safety in all motoring situations. This is thanks to a combination of Volvo's active safety technologies including All-Wheel Drive, DSTC stability-enhancement and the torsionally rigid body, which give the cars the best possible power and road grip whatever the road conditions, even when winter hits the roads.

Volvo has beefed up the safety technology package in the S80 and XC90 models for this year, with Hill Descent Control standard on the XC90.

Volvo's active All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system is standard across the Volvo XC70 range and on the S80 V8 model and ensures the best possible road grip and traction. The AWD system distributes power between the front and rear wheels with the help of an electronically controlled hydraulic clutch. The latest version of the system incorporates Instant Traction™, which responds at lightning speed by switching power from the front to the rear wheels when starting on slippery or icy surfaces.

DSTC (Dynamic Stability and Traction Control) is standard on all new models in the Volvo range. It is a stability-enhancement system that, when necessary, reduces the engine's torque and applies precisely measured braking force to help reduce the risk of skidding.

Not only the driveline but the entire car has been developed and optimised to provide a first-class driving experience and stable, smooth road manners. The body of both the Volvo S80 and XC70 features a highly advanced structure that contributes to both excellent deformation properties in the event of a collision and very high torsional rigidity.

The new Volvo XC70 features Hill Descent Control (HDC) as standard, which curbs speed on steep downhill slopes. Using the car's braking system and engine torque, HDC controls the car's speed going forward and in reverse. The function is activated via a button on the instrument panel and the driver can at any time take command over the HDC system by simply accelerating or braking and when another gear is selected, HDC is automatically disengaged.

The Volvo XC70 also benefits from high ground clearance in order to ensure the appropriate get-you-there ability in difficult terrain. It sits 209mm off the ground, 66mm higher than the Volvo V70. In wet conditions, it can make its way through 300mm of water. Together with the shape of the body, this elevated ground clearance allows the car to make its way out of deep ditches or down steep slopes. The angle between the road surface and the front of the car is 19.2°. At the rear, the corresponding angle is 24.0°.

The new Volvo XC70 is available with the 3.2-litre six-cylinder normally aspirated petrol engine, which produces 238bhp and 320Nm or Volvo's five-cylinder diesel engine from the second-generation D5 series. It is a very powerful and easy to drive turbo diesel that provides a massive 400Nm of torque across a particularly wide rev range.

The Volvo S80 features a wide range of petrol, diesel and Flexifuel engines. The V8 engine is the range topper, while the new naturally aspirated four-cylinder 2.0-litre 145bhp engine excels in fuel efficiency. The diesel range is topped by the powerful D5, offering 185bhp and 400Nm of torque. The newly introduced 2.0D is a four-cylinder turbo-diesel that offers an impressive carbon dioxide emissions level at 151g/km.

The 2-litre Flexifuel engine is an important part of Volvo's strategy to contribute to sustainable personal mobility. During the first half of 2008, a five-cylinder 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine with a power output of 200bhp will also be introduced in the Volvo S80, providing a powerful alternative for the environmentally conscious customer.

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