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The 1988 Volvo 760 GLE is the perfect car for monied liberals. It comes with all the accoutrements of a luxury sedan, but none of the guilt. The leathered plushmobile is equipped with pious humility. But Volvo’s publicists would have us believe otherwise

“If the name ‘Volvo’ evokes images of tanklike sedans with ‘Save the Whale’ bumper stickers, it’s time you looked again,” the brochures say. We are told about the 2,000 parts changes in the new 760 GLE, about the new car’s “gently rounded nose” and the new hood that “curves without interruption from the grille all the way to the windshield.” The new 760 GLE, the glossies conclude, is “sleek” — and, by implication, sexy. What nonsense! Despite its gentle roundings, the 760 GLE, introduced in 1982, remains a work of severe angularity– an ascetic’s delight.

This car’s body conjures up no images of Cleopatra in full cavort. Instead, it reminds one of a noble penitent thrashing himself in a cathedral square. But, inside, there’s a different story. Anyone needing more luxury than this should be treated for pathological hedonism.

The interior — from the soft leather seats to the automatic climate-control system — is unmistakably rich. That’s good news for wealthy folks who have trouble accepting their wealth. The 760 GLE honors both their bank accounts and their neuroses. It allows them to suffer in pleasure.

Complaint: The faceplate of the automatic gearshift indicator was loose. Yeah, I know, that’s a nitpick. But I couldn’t find anything else out of whack in the test model. Believe me, I tried.

Praise: This car is shaped like a brick for reason. It’s just as solid. It has no rattles. The doors close with an authoritative “thonk!” It’s kind of scary actually, almost like being sealed into a vault. Thank goodness for those power doorlocks. I kept fooling with ’em, just for reassurance. The interior is also impressive. Forget the plush stuff for a while. Look at the steering wheel — there’s an air bag in there. Check out the instrument panel — large, clearly marked, easy-to-read gauges. Everything’s within reach. Everything’s functional, sensible. The rear-wheel -drive 760 GLE seats five adults in perfect comfort. Head-turning-quotient: An automotive act of condition.

Ride, acceleration, braking, handling: The ride of the new 760 GLE is far superior to that of older models, whose solid rear axles gave backseat passengers a pretty good beating on bad roads. Credit here goes to the multilink rear suspension, which allows the rear wheels to dance with bumps, rather than fight with them. The new suspension system includes independent rear wheels — one goes up, another comes down, the action of one compensates the action of the other. The result is a very smooth ride and excellent handling. Acceleration in this one won’t please showoffs. but it’ll satisfy most people. Power comes from a 2.8-liter, fuel-injected V-6 rated 145 hp at 5,100 rpm. Braking is tops. Four-wheel power disc brakes with anti-lock control are standard.

Sound system: Eight-speaker, AM/FM stereo and cassette with graphic equalizer, by Volvo. No asceticism here. Welcome to full tilt boogie.

Mileage: About 19 to the gallon (21-gallon tank, estimated 389-mile range on usable volume), combined city-highway, running with one to five occupants and air conditioner off.

Price: $32,185, including a $335 freight charge and $650 gas-guzzler tax. Nearly all equipment on the 760 GLE is standard. Dealer’s invoice price is $25,800.

Purse-strings-note: Volvo has been offering 10-year loans. Don’t accept. If it’s going to take you 10 years to pay for it, that means it’s out of your reach. This is a car, not a house.