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Posted by: Anthony Lim

Volvo Car Malaysia officially introduced the facelifted S80 sedan at a press preview this morning, and leading the list of enhancements and improvements on the new 2.5T is a significant increase in power output.

The car's 2.5l five-cylinder twin-cam, turbocharged block - mated to a six-speed Geartronic transmission - now offers 231bhp at 4,800rpm, up from the 200bhp of before, and torque is also up, with 340Nm available at 1,200-4,800rpm, compared to 300Nm previously. Performance figures include a 0-100kmh time of 7.5secs and a 210kmh top speed.

Revisions to the exterior include a larger iron mark on the front grille and a more liberal use of chrome trim - in this case, on the front and rear eyeliner as well as on all the lower doors.

Insides, changes include the use of silk metal effect sheeting as decor trim on a new four-spoke steering wheel and centre stack, as well as on the gear selector and around the starter button. There are also new instrument dials with aluminium outlines and soft leather upholstery, finished in Sandstone Beige.

The S80 now gets equipped with a Blind Spot Information System, which uses cameras mounted in the door mirrors to register if another vehicle is in the blind spot at the side of the car.

Other technology systems present in the car include Adaptive Cruise Control, which works at speeds above 30kmh to automatically adjust - from five different selectable time intervals - the car's distance to vehicles ahead, as well as Collision Warning with Auto Brake, Driver Alert Control and Lane Departure Warning. The car also comes with Personal Car Communicator (PCC) with keyless drive as standard.

Riding on 17-inch Canicula alloy wheels with 225/50 series tyres, and available in two new additional colours, Ember Black and Ice White, the S80 2.5T is priced at RM295,000 (on the road, without insurance). As with all Volvos, the car comes with a three-year warranty and three years of complimentary Volvo On Call roadside assistance.