I have always viewed the 850 and 70 series as 'tweeners, mostly larger and sometimes smaller than many of the vehicles that they are compared with. The 850 is larger than the 3 series, the A4, and the C class, but smaller than the 5 series, A6, and E class. I liked this because it sets them apart. Volvo probably wanted to create more distinction between its product lines as the 850 and 7/900 were pretty similar in size and I am guessing here but the 80 series is probably not all that much larger than the 70 series. I would think that Volvo will encourage former 70 series drivers who find the 60 too small to move up to the 80 series. Just my opinion.