The Volvo S80 gets some improvement as German tuning and motor sport experts Heico Sportiv integrate various performance parts on the vehicle.

The SEMA show in Las Vegas saw great vehicles including the S80 High Performance Concept wiith its high-tech aluminium-look exterior and a 350 hp bioethanol engine.

“We wanted to explore how far we could take a special high-performance version of the S80. Heico Sportiv’s impressive track record in motor sports and Volvo tuning made them the perfect partner for the job,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Brand, Business and Product Strategy at Volvo Cars. He adds, “Personally, I think the result is absolutely stunning. Both when it comes to the exterior and interior design as well as the impressive muscle under the bonnet.”

Modifications had to be done on the turbocharged T6 Volvo engine to run on E85. The engine is 85 percent bioethanol and 15 percent petrol. This is a biofuel that is becoming increasingly widely available throughout Europe.

The T6 engine in the Heico S80 High Performance Concept powers up around 350 horsepower at 5500 rpm. It also boasts a massive 550 Nm of torque between 1500 and 4000 rpm. Acceleration is no problem for it will only take around 5.8 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h.

“The engine development is not yet finalized, so we hope to reach an even higher horsepower figure when the car is ready for SEMA,” says Heico Sportiv’s president Holger Hedtke.

The Heico S80 High Performance Concept has Volvo’s electronically controlled All Wheel Drive system with Instant Traction. The car also features specially developed sport suspension. New shocks and springs are also integrated in the car, which lowered the chassis by 40 millimeters.

“We are very pleased that Volvo Cars has given us the opportunity to design a concept car that profiles the sporty emotions of the brand and still remains true to the company’s core values. Just like the C30 “Camo” we designed for SEMA last year, the S80 High Performance Concept represents the very best of our long experience of Volvo tuning and motor sports,” says Holger Hedtke.

The SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) show in Las Vegas is open between 30 October and 2 November 2007. SEMA is the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world.