WHEN Volvo let us sample the first S80 T6 10 years ago (time flies when you're having fun), some road testers were so shaken, they had to be medicated.

Back then, the car packed a bi-turbo 2.8-litre producing 272 horses. Peak torque was 380Nm, available from 2,000rpm to 5,000rpm.

Nothing short of a BMW M5 could match this insanity, packaged in as mild-mannered a form as an Ikea sofa.

Fast forward 10 years, and we now have the latest S80 T6. It has 285 horses and 400Nm of pull from as low a rev count as 1,500rpm, produced by a creamy 3-litre inline-6.

Forced induction is now via a single and more efficient twin-scroll turbo.

The biggest difference though is where the monumental output goes. Instead of just the front wheels, Volvo has wisely channelled the 285bhp to all four wheels.

Which explains largely why the new car is not as manic as its predecessor. In fact, it is a very calm bruiser of a cruiser.

This might disappoint those who've grown up with earlier high-powered Volvos, from the 850 of the 1990s to the barbaric 300bhp S60R introduced just a few years ago.

No matter how you gun it, the S80 T6 goes about its business in an unflustered fashion. There is no hint of torque steer, no understeer worth noting and no ballistic rubbing-burning take-offs.

From within its cloistered cockpit, the only signs of paint-peeling propulsion are the speedo and the blurry lamp posts. Oh, and the look of incredulity on the face of that WRX driver.

All you do is tap the throttle and the car approaches 100kmh.

It is so deceptively leisurely, it's not funny. It kind of reminds me of the previous Jaguar XKR - a tiger with the demeanour of a pussycat.

With its silken shifts and soft suspension, the S80 T6 is akin to a big GT. Those who want a beasty boy racer should look elsewhere.

To complete its gentlemanly persona, the car comes with an array of amenities. It has blind-spot warning (lamp on A-pillar lights up if the car detects vehicle in your blind spot), a chassis with anti-dive and anti-lift function and all manner of stability and traction control.

It even has lane departure warning (it nags if you switch lanes without signalling) and swerve warning (it nags some more if you imagine you are James Bond after a few Martinis).

It comes with Volvo's keyless entry and ignition system, with a pager-size Personal Car Communicator that warns you if there is an intruder in the car.

In essence, the new S80 T6 is a monster racer packaged as a clean-living executive sedan. A very quiet, comfortable and luxurious executive sedan, I might add.

VOLVO S80 T6
Price: $205,000, with COE
Engine: 2,953cc 24-valve inline-6 turbo
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with quick shift
Power: 285bhp at 5,600rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,500-4,800
0-100kmh: 6.9 seconds
Top speed: 250kmh
Fuel consumption: 12 litres/100km (city-highway)
Agent: SM motors