Volvo is claiming a world first in driver security for its new S80 sedan - a key fob that warns if anyone is hiding in the car.

The personal car communicator (PCC) has been designed primarily for protection against carjacking.

As well as offering keyless entry to the vehicle, the PCC has a three-stage alarm that includes a heartbeat sensor. It warns if the car is locked or not, if the alarm has been activated, or if someone is crouching in the back.

Volvo says the main markets for the S80 and its PCC will be the United States, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Britain and China.

"We are convinced that the S80 will be a strong contender in its class and win over many new customers, considering the other popular premium brand rivals," says Frederik Arp, Volvo chief executive. "We expect to sell 50,000 new S80s a year around the world, of which 70 per cent will be new Volvo customers."

The second-generation S80 - the first and present model appeared in 1998 - has been heavily restyled. "We have given the S80 a more youthful and dynamic stance," says design director Steve Mattin. "All the shapes and materials it uses represent a continuous development of the Volvo design language."

The S80 comes with wall-to-wall goodies. Safety equipment includes a collision warning system that alerts the driver by sounding a buzzer and "heads-up" display on the windscreen.

It goes into action if, for example, the gap to the car in front closes so fast that a collision is likely, and a support system boosts braking force.

The S80 is expected to go on sale in New Zealand later in the year. It will be available with the choice of three engines - the entry-level five-cylinder 2.5-litre carried over from the present model, a new naturally aspirated 3.2-litre straight-six that replaces the twin-turbo 2.9-litre six and, for the first time, a V8. Diesel variants are expected to follow.

The 4.4-litre V8 develops 235kW (315bhp) at 6000rpm and 440Nm of torque at 4000rpm. It will power the all-wheel-drive S80s. The other models will be front-wheel drive.

Prices will be up on the present $85,000 to $115,000 spread.

By Alastair Sloane | Email Alastair