The Volvo S80 has been built at the Torslanda Works in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Unlike most Volvo models, it did not have an estate version for its first generation.

The third generation of the V70 wagon is marketed as the estate version for the second generation of the S80 saloon.

This is a part of a major product overhaul at Volvo, including a luxury large estate and saloon. It serves as the flagship model for Volvo.

The second generation Volvo S80, in June 2007, scored the highest "good" rating in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash test performance for frontal, side, and rear impacts, earning it the IIHS Top Safety Pick. The second generation S80 features a more rigid chassis.

The design takes styling cues from the Volvo ECC concept. The first-generation S80 is based on the Volvo P2 platform.

This S80 was equipped with numerous safety systems, including Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) and Whiplash Protection System WHIPS.

The S80 featured a straight-six engine in a transverse engine mounting.

The S80 used CAN bus multiplexing wiring.

The S80 was initially available with four different engines. Starting the range was a detuned 2.4-litre 104 kilowatts (141 PS; 139 bhp) five-cylinder.

The S80 was initially available with four different engines. Starting the range was a detuned 2.4-litre 104 kilowatts (141 PS; 139 bhp) five-cylinder.