And engineers at the...

And engineers at the firm have paid particular attention to the handling to ensure the newcomer is as rewarding to drive as its key German rivals.

The new design will please fans of the brand. Trademark styling cues include the stepped rear-quarter panel and tail-light design. Up front, the family grille is mounted in a smooth angled bumper, while the sculpted headlamps come with classy clear lens caps. Door-mounted indicator repeaters complete the upmarket new look.

However, there are more far-reaching changes under the skin. A Volvo spokesman told Auto Express: "Our engineers have worked hard to ensure the new machine handles well, so it will appeal to keen drivers, and also provides a refined ride."

A powerful V8 engine could also be available in the range for the first time, with the 315bhp 4.4-litre powerplant from the XC90 off-roader the most likely candidate. "We"ve gone to the trouble of developing a V8, so it"s reasonable to assume that it will feature in other models," admitted the spokesman. In traditional Volvo style, the compact

unit would be mounted transversely rather than longitudinally.

The most powerful version of the existing S80 is the 272bhp 3.0-litre T6, so a V8 variant would really take the

fight to the competition. The flagship could be available with a 4x4 set-up to rival that of the Audi A6 quattro.

The spokesman added: "It"s still very early days, but we do offer four-wheel-drive versions of other models in our line-up." A V8-powered S80 with all-wheel drive is already available in the US market. However, this variant has never been offered in showrooms here, and as a result the big Volvo has always struggled to compete with top-of-the-range German offerings.

The new S80 is expected to arrive in the UK in summer next year, with prices starting from around н‚бЈ24,000.