VOLVO is broadening the appeal of its bigger models with the introduction of two new economical engines.
It brings the entry price of the huge V70 estate down to £24,995 and the S80 saloon to £23,495.
The engines are both two-litre, one petrol and the other diesel, and improve economy while reducing tax charges on both cars.
The new S80 diesel is priced from £24,345 and can average almost 50mpg.
With CO2 emissions of 151g/km its tax liability falls to 21 per cent for business users and will cost private motorists £145 a year in road fund fees.
The heavier V70 diesel is not quite as frugal, averaging a claimed 47.9mpg but with emissions of 157g/km it too falls into the £145 a year band although its business rate is slightly higher at 22 per cent.
Priced from £25,845 the V70 2.0D SE does not feel at all underpowered and can achieve a 0 to 60mph acceleration time of 10.9 seconds.
Throttle response is smooth and mid-range acceleration is impressive from the 136bhp engine which gives the estate a claimed 121mph top speed.
Volvo has improved the suspension set up on the latest V70s and ride and handling is now very composed.
Neither is there any excessive engine noise inside the car which comes with electronic stability, climate control and automatic wipers as standard.
Performance from the S80 diesel, which is basically the saloon version of the estate, is slightly quicker although the ride does not as feel as solid as in the V70.
It's a similar story with the petrol engined versions which although cheaper are not as responsive to drive.
The acceleration time in the 145bhp two-litre petrol V70 is 11.5 seconds and average fuel economy is down to 32.8mpg with emissions of 199g/km.
The petrol S80 can average a claimed 34mpg and both will cost private buyers £210 a year to tax, which rises to £260 in 2009.