Stretch my wheelbase: Volvo S80L

Chinese Car News | Ash | November 19, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Stretched cars are all so popular in China where they are used as chauffer driven rides, take for example Audi, who pretty much offer all of larger sedans in lengthened format for drivers and passengers, even the lowly Ford Mondeo has risen to chauffer driven status in China with it being 10mm longer than its Euro cousin. Volvo appears to be coming late to the stretched wheelbase line up, but that doesnt nessecerily mean that they are too late. Today Volvo launched the Volvo S80L sedan to the Chinese market, the new sedan is now 14cm longer than it was originally, giving a little extra leg room in the rear for passengers.

The S80L will be produced in Chongqing using locally sourced parts, but Volvo are keen to stress that it means all of the safety standards for which Volvo are (very) famous for.

Volvo entered the Chinese market rather late when compared to its European rivals (signed up with Chang’an Ford in 2006), but they have made some headway especially with their SUV (XC90), and locally made S40 sedan.

Ash

Ash came to China at 18 on a whim and never left. Some 10 years later he collected a degree and a family along the way and now focuses his time on watching the Chinese car industry develop. He has witnessed the market change from being minor backyard market in to the world's biggest and most important market for all car manufacturers. You can contact or connect with him via Linkedin by clicking the 'Website' link.

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