The line from Volvo of Sweden for year 2005 consists of models in five alphanumeric orders with new gear accumulating in all classes.

In Volvo classification, S represents a sedan, V signifies a five-door wagon and XC means a four-wheel-drive outdoor versatility vehicle.

Platforms use two-digit numbers to denote size in descending order from the Volvo SUV at 90 to mid-size 80 sedans, 70 and 60 series wagons and sedans plus compact-class 50 sports wagons and 40 sports sedans.

Leading Volvo's fleet is the S80, largest sedan in the line and the most luxurious. There are four trims in 2005, culminating with the S80 T6 Premier flagship series. Body styling was revamped last year with the prow flashing fresh fascia, fog lamps, grille and headlamps with highlights in chrome and dark silver finishes. Active safety tools, designed for an alert driver to guide the S80 away from danger, include quick-action rack and pinion steering and disc brakes connected to anti-lock brakes (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), traction control (TCS) and optional Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) system plus the FOUR-C (Continuously Controlled Chassis Concept) shock damping.

For powertrains, Volvo presents three choices, each tied to an automatic transmission. S80 2.9 carries an aluminum six-pack that displaces 2.9 liters and produces 194 hp. S80 T6 uses a light-pressure twin turbo six to make 268 hp. Optional AWD traction is available now with the S80 2.5T AWD, which packs a 2.5-liter five-cylinder turbo for 208 hp. S80 T6 Premier brings a DVD-based video entertainment system with liquid-crystal-display (LCD) color monitors planted in the back of headrests of front buckets. Run-flat tires are the latest option for any S80 trim.

Volvo's mid-size estate wagons include the V70 2.4, 2.5T, 2.5T AWD and T5 variants, along with the V70 R performance wagon. A flexible cabin design makes room for up to seven riders plus cargo. Posh appointments mark the cabin, with power-operated controls and a high caliber of equipment in the mode of European touring sedans.

Entry comes with the V70 2.4 packing a 2.4-liter in-line-five rated at 165 hp and tied to a manual five-speed or optional five-speed electronic automatic. The front-wheel-drive (FWD) V70 2.5T brings a more powerful 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo five for 208 hp through a five-speed automatic with Geartronic shifting -- the same plant that works on V70 2.5T AWD model. A FWD V70 T5 stocks a 2.3-liter five high-pressure turbo with output boosted in 2005 to 257 hp with either the five-speed Geartronic automatic or a manual five-speed. However, the quickest Volvo wagon has to be the V70 R. It has the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine primed with turbo-charger and twin inter-coolers to turn out 300 hp. A six-speed close-ratio manual or five-speed Geartronic automatic go to the R car, which also stocks Volvo's FOUR-C suspension controller and huge disc brakes by Brembo.

Also called the Cross Country, this estate wagon variation of the V70 ties with the XC90 as a Volvo outdoor versatility vehicle. It's hiked in suspension so it can travel over non-paved terrain, then outfitted with four-wheel traction from the Haldex system. Haldex, a Swedish pioneer in AWD mechanisms, builds an active-on-demand system with power split between front and rear wheels through a wet multi-plate clutch.
Structural elements and mechanical hardware come from the V70, although the XC70 stretches an inch longer and is wider because the front wheel track increases by several inches. It's also almost three inches taller due to the elevated chassis. Safety gear includes Volvo's side impact protection system (SIPS) with side air bags plus curtain-style air bags positioned above side windows. Muscle to propel XC70 2.5T stems from the V70 2.5T with Volvo's 2.5-liter light-pressure turbo for 208 hp.

The mid-size sport-utility wagon from Volvo is svelte in design, expansive in cabin size (optional third-row seats raise capacity to seven) and equipped with powerful engines and sophisticated safety systems plus optional AWD traction. Built off the P2 platform, the XC90 rides and drives more like a car than a lumbering sport-utility, despite its hulking size. It can be quick and enthusiastic too, particularly for the XC90 T6 with a light-pressure twin turbo 2.9-liter in-line-six pumping 268 hp. This plant brings the Geartronic stick on a four-speed automatic.
The base powertrain is Volvo's light-pressure turbo 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 208 hp through a five-speed automatic. The T6 also comes with AWD traction using the electronically-controlled Haldex system. Extensive safety systems go into the XC90, including frontal air bags and side-impact air bags for front riders plus Volvo's side curtain-style air bags reaching to the third row of seats. In addition to the DSTC yaw-controller aboard, Volvo adds a Roll-Over Protection System (ROPS). Packages bring more gear -- such as a premium group with leather seats and power moonroof or the climate kit with heated front seats, and for T6 a new touring package.

S60 sedans use the variable-size P2 platform of the S80 and V70 yet measure inches less in wheelbase and body length. This year there are five models with the FWD S60 2.4 and S60 2.5T, S60 2.5T AWD, a FWD S60 T5 and racy S60 R with 300-hp turbo engine. Powertrains compare to similar trims in V70 wagons, including the 10-point boost in power for T5, which reaches 257 hp. Body styling changes with 2005 editions, as the prow has been revamped with new designs for headlamps, grille and bumper, and the rear view includes tail lamps with LED technology. In the cabin a conventional layout sets two bolstered buckets beside a multi-purpose console and ahead of a bench with three positions.

Optional two-place seating in sculpted spaces is offered. Front buckets have been revised with slimmer head restraints to enhance visibility. The console is also new, and a trip computer is now standard equipment in the instrument cluster, while the optional Premium Package adds rear hardwood trim work. Volvo's FOUR-C suspension tuning is available for all S60 varieties, as turbo models score an optional Sport Aero Body Kit.

Volvo's compact-class cars -- S40 for the four-door sports sedan and V50 for a five-door wagon version -- show up on a larger platform for a new generation as the concept expands to create larger vehicles with sport-tinged handling traits. The body shape looks unmistakably like other Volvo sedans but the package is briefer, broader and taller than before. Despite the small-car classification, cabins do not seem miniature -- they're airy inside with comfort touches and two comfortable front bucket seats. A clean and uncluttered layout orients toward the driver with analog instruments and a center stack section that's narrow and, in one of several trim options, faced in shiny metal.

Volvo outfits the compacts with two different treatments of an in-line five-cylinder powertrain. For the sedan, the entry edition is the S40 2.4i toting a new version of the naturally-aspirated 2.4-liter five for 168 hp. The transmission is a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic with Geartronic shift mode. The S40 T5 gets Volvo's 2.5-liter low-pressure turbo five-pack with 218 hp and optional six-speed manual or five-speed Geartronic automatic. The S40 T5 also scores an optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. V50 wagons use the same powertrains with AWD available.