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Before Linda Tripp calls, we have a confession to make.

We were stopped for speeding –in a Volvo!

A career of pushing Lamborghini Diablos, Chevrolet Corvettes and Dodge Vipers to their limits. Yet when the long arm of the law finally reaches out, it catches us behind the wheel of a Volvo!

The shame.

Worse, we had to turn in our Midwest Automotive Media Association card because right there in black and white under Code of Conduct it states:

“MAMA don’t let her members grow up to be cowboys.”

Stopped for going 64 in a 45-m.p.h. zone. The officer, noting a spotless driving record –and obviously off-duty when we drove the Diablo, Corvette and Viper–gave us a pass.

Of course, he probably realized that in court, any judge told of a speeding ticket written on a Volvo would sentence the officer for operating a radar gun under the influence.

Besides being stopped in a Volvo, the ticket hurt for another reason. The officer said we passed another vehicle at 64 in a 45-m.p.h. zone, yet we haven’t ventured out of the slow lane in a Volvo in three decades. The passing lane is off limits for a Volvo, whose main function is as a set of wheels for those who need to run to the store to pick up support hose and denture cream.

The only feature Volvo has had to sell is safety. You certainly can’t wax poetic about styling in a vehicle shaped like a shoebox, and you can’t pontificate about performance in a vehicle whose 0-to-60 time is measured with a sundial.

And then the 1999 Volvo S80 sedan comes along–and with it a young man in a Ford with flashing red lights on the roof.

We tested the S80 sedan in the base model with its 2.9-liter, 201-horsepower, in-line 6-cylinder engine and the top-of-the-line T6 with its 2.8-liter, 268-h.p., twin turbo 6.

We were anxious to test the S80 after hearing Ford Motor Co. President Jac Nasser who, when asked why his company spent $6.4 billion to acquire Volvo, say:

“The S80 alone makes the Volvo acquisition worth it.”

Never drove a $6.4 billion car before, so it’s difficult to compare it with others carrying a 10-digit window sticker, but we have to admit the S80 is rather pleasant.

Gone is the box on wheels and in its place is a four-door, front-wheel-drive sedan with rounded sheet metal. The traditional vertical bar grille rests upfront, but it no longer is the center of attention. Crisp design. Some charisma and character.

And then comes performance, a word not often used when discussing a Volvo. Slip into a Volvo and snooze. But no more. The 2.9 and turbo 2.8 are much more potent than what you expect in a Volvo.

With either engine you’ll notice smooth, quiet acceleration, a steady build up of power without engine roar or exhaust rumble sound effects to serve as a reminder of how swiftly you’ve launched from the light.

The 2.9 comes with 4-speed automatic, the 2.8 turbo with 4-speed Geartronic, which allows for automatic s hifting or clutchless manual shifts by tapping a handle up or down.

The 2.8 turbo is the choice when trying to blend quickly into traffic from the merger ramp or needing to climb the steep hill or asked to haul a cabin full of folks and a trunk full of their luggage.

You don’t have to settle for eating exhaust fumes with the non-turbo 2.9. The 2.8 just allows for more aggressive motoring. The 2.9 is more the sit-back-and-relax cruiser; the 2.8 turbo is more the take charge, get-up-and-go unit.

The suspension in the 2.9 feels a bit more softly tuned, whereas the suspension in the 2.8 turbo T6 feels a little firmer and allows you to sit flatter for quicker, more sure-footed maneuvers, especially in corners and turns.

The mileage ratings are almost even–19 m.p.g. city/27 highway with the 2.9, 18 city/27 highway with the 2.8 turbo.

While the S80 sedan gives Volvo a new styling and performance image, the Swedish automaker hasn’t given up on what brought it to the party- -safety.

There are dual front and side air bags as well as dual inflatable side curtains that slip out of the roof to cover the side glass and prevent injury in a side impact. And the dual front bags come with sensors that trigger the cushions at 8 m.p.h. if the occupants are unbelted, at 12 m.p.h. if belted.

And the seats have headrests designed to catch your dome in a rear impact to prevent whiplash.

There’s more, lots more, such as standard anti-lock brakes and a traction control system to prevent wheelspin when moving from the light; optional ($1,095) stability and traction control that uses sensors to measure steering input and wheel rotation to engage ABS and engine fuel management to correct any tendency to skid on slippery surfaces or when entering a corner too fast; and pillars and roof edges filled with shock-absorbent material to protect the head in a collision.

Then there’s the headlight washers /wipers (standard T6, optional at $450 in a package including heated seats in the base model) to provide a clear view; radar sensors ($328 option) in the rear bumper to sound a buzzer if you back within 5 feet of an object or human; integrated rear child safety seat ($100); and laminated side glass ($485) that’s difficult for thieves or carjackers to break.

Then, too, push a yellow button on the key fob and lights below the outside mirrors and in the cabin as well as head and taillights flash on to provide security when entering or leaving the car.

And press a button in the lower dash and you activate a motion sensor ($125) to sound an alarm if someone opens the door or sticks his hand in to grab a package on the seat. That sensor can be teamed with a level sensor ($85) that sounds the alarm if a midnight shopper lifts the car to pilfer tires or tow the vehicle away.

Other notable features include a standard center rear-seat armrest with dual cupholders and a flat, plastic surface for writing; a navigation system ($2,500) in which the screen pops out of the dash top when needed and then slips back when not; a set of hooks that can be attached ($22.98) in the trunk to hang and hold shopping bags and a retractable cargo retainer that looks like a window shade that can be pulled out of the trunk side wall and slipped into a variety of holders to keep anything from a gallon of milk to a bag of groceries to a piece of luggage in place.

The S80 sedan with 2.9-liter 6 starts at $35,820, the T6 turbo at $40,385.

Standard equipment includes power windows (express down is way too fast), dual zone heat/air conditioning, daytime running lamps, cruise control, cabin pollen/dust filter, trip computer, outside temperature reading, digital clock, child-proof rear-door locks, eight-way power front seats, power heated outside mirrors, AM/FM stereo with compact disc and cassette, tilt/telescoping steering column and trunk valet lock.

The T6, in addition to the twin turbo and Geartronic, adds heated seats and headlamp wash ers/wipers, front and rear fog lights, upgraded sound system and burled walnut interior trim.

The base price puts the S80 in the same range as a Lexus ES300, Mercedes-Benz C-Class or Cadillac Catera.

But S80 options are very costly, such as $1,195 for leather seats; $1,200 for power sunroof; $1,075 for in-dash CD with surround sound; $1,095 for stability/traction control; and $2,500 for a navigation system.

>> 1999 Volvo S80 sedan
© 1999 Chicago Tribune Wheelbase: 109.9 inches Length: 189.8 inches Engine: 2.9-liter, 201-h.p., inline 6-cylinder Transmission: 4-speed automatic Fuel economy: 19 m.p.g. city/27 m.p.g. highway Base price: $35,820 Price as tested: $39,500. Includes $1,195 for leather seats; $1,200 for power sunroof; $1,075 for in-dash CD with surround sound; $125 for interior movement or motion sensor; and $85 for level sensor. Add $575 for freight. Pluses: Attractive styling and above-average performance plus all the safety goodies you expect in a Volvo. Host of novel items, too, such as adjustable parcel holder in trunk, radar detection in reverse, motion/level sensors to warn of break-ins or theft. Minuses: Power express down windows don’t like to stop at any floor. Option prices are rather hefty. >>