Volvo S80 D4 SE Lux auto

What is it?

This is Volvo’s topline saloon model – the S80 – fitted out with the big news from Volvo: its new fuel-saving and tax-reducing D4 diesel engine.

The new Volvo D4 engine goes under the umbrella name of Drive-E technology, offering increased power and torque (low down engine pull) while improving fuel efficiency and reducing company car tax bills.

While Volvo’s new Drive-E D4 engine is offered in a variety of power outputs, in our review car it has 181hp and 400Nm torque.

The car also features a new 8-speed automatic gearbox (a £1550 option) in place of the standard six-speed manual. Given the car’s luxury positioning, this is the only transmission to have.

The model we have on review is the mid-range SE Lux model, sitting between the SE Nav and S80 Executive costing £32,515.

So what’s the new Drive-E version of the Volvo S80 D4 SE Lux auto like to drive?