S80 V8 AWD is Car of the Year

media bulletin – Volvo

S80 V8 AWD is Car of the Year

12 March 2007

Volvo has stolen the limelight at the 2007 New Zealand Automobile Association’s Motoring Excellence Awards, winning two categories and taking the overall award with the S80 V8 AWD luxury sedan.

The S80 V8 AWD won the luxury car category, while the Volvo V50 AWD took the medium / large car class.

Selected by a group of independent judges who spent a week whittling down the more than 80 entries, the winners of each category were then judged for the overall 2007 NZ AA Motoring Excellence Award, which was announced in Auckland on Friday (9 March) night at a prestigious black tie function.

Volvo’s S80 V8 AWD “is a beautiful all round car,” said Stella Stocks, the General Manager of AA Technical Services.

“It’s good looking, luxurious, has a character packed engine, exquisite cabin design and a fluent non fuss chassis.”

Ms Stocks said the Volvo S80 V8 AWD was the complete luxury car at an executive car price. “It also teaches all sorts of lessons in terms of comfort, safety and ergonomics.”

The S80 V8 AWD is sold in one comprehensively specified model with a 4.4 litre V8 engine and a six speed automatic All Wheel Drive transmission. At $109,990 it is tens of thousands of dollars better priced than its German rivals.
“We all know Volvo manufactures the safest of car products,” said Wallis Dumper, the Managing Director of Motorcorp Distributors Ltd, the importer of Volvo cars in New Zealand.

“The AA’s award is confirmation of our belief in the Volvo brand which all kiwis know is the benchmark for safety but this award confirms style and driving are now commensurate with that brand investment. It’s a boost for our small team which has only been handling the Volvo brand for the last 14 months, and most pleasing to win the prestigious luxury car class with the best value European.”

“The S80 V8 AWD won in the face of cars twice its price and against emotional favourites who will have underestimated just how well this car drives. This car is truly a special vehicle and from the moment you start the engine and hear the V8 burble you know you have a wolf in Volvo clothing.

“With All Wheel Drive providing fantastic grip and the V8 Yamaha developed engine this Volvo is full of ‘invisible advantages’ that the independent judges have obviously discovered,” said Dumper.

“Now kiwi customers can discover the same experience, as we intend to celebrate with a special Volvo promotion throughout the authorised retail outlets.”
Volvo’s V50 AWD automatic sports wagon headed off several more obvious candidates for the medium/large car category.

“In all ways it’s a very good car,” said Ms Stocks. “It’s got a great engine, agile chassis and an ergonomically outstanding interior.”

The V50 AWD station wagon has a characterful, five cylinder 2.5 litre turbocharged motor and a five speed automatic gearbox and a cabin which majors on the simplicity of operation of its controls. It sells for $64,990 and is inclusive of all Volvo safety features.
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