A beautiful black Volvo S60 T6, seen on a car market in Beijing. The speedy sedan was in pretty good shape, dirty and dusty, but otherwise as clean as a blonde Swedish babe.
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Black license plates were issued to foreign owned companies from the 1980’s to the early 00’s. These companies could buy a car locally, and they were also allowed to import their own cars.
In the old days black-plated cars had some privileges comparable to diplomatic cars; no police officer would dare to stop them and they could basically park wherever they wanted without fear of a fine.
Nowadays, a black-plated car is counted just like all the others. The government does not issue new black plates anymore but those who have one can keep it until eternity. The plates on the S80 T6 or of Hebei Province.
The first generation Volvo S80 was made from was made from 1998 until 2006 with a facelift in 2006, our Beijing car is a post-facelift example. The T6 was the big boy, the fastest and most luxurious S80 money could buy.
Power came from a 2.8 liter twin-turbocharged six-in-line petrol engine, good for 276 hp and 380 Nm. The engine was mated to a 4-speed (!) automatic, sending horses to the front wheels only.
The interior is a bit worn out but completely original, with a classy wood rim on the wheel and a stereo system with a CD player and a cassette player.
Note the screens in the headrest for rear-seat entertainment. Volvo themed floor ,ates are not factory, but a nice addition nevertheless.
The first generation Volvo S80 was officially marketed in China as an import. Price ranged from 620.000 to 800.000 yuan. Engines: 2.4, 2.5T, 2.9, and the 2.8 twin-turbo. The 2.4 and 2.5T models are still relatively common, but the 2.9, and especially the T6, are ultra rare.