2008 Volvo C30 Preview
8/02/07
Sporty Hatchback Suits Multiple Personalities
Do you have an exotic dancer name? I have a friend who constantly sends me links to the latest personality quiz or name-generator test. Most of the time I just hit delete, but she recently sent me a link to a quiz to determine my official stripper name. I am not afraid to admit that I took the bait. At the risk of over-analyzing why I decided to take the exotic-dancer/burlesque-queen name quiz instead of the TV Mom name quiz, I concluded I was in desperate need of an alter ego and might have puked if I came out as June Cleaver. So, allow me to introduce myself: Emily Hansen, mom, aka Destiny Butterfly, sexy single chick. Are you still with me?
My Destiny Butterfly persona came in handy while driving the latest car to come out of the car-safety-Mecca of Gothenburg, Sweden — Volvo headquarters. The Volvo C30 is a departure from what I think of when I picture a Volvo. Don’t get me wrong; all the safety and security I expect from Volvo is still intact, it’s just packaged in a cute, sporty, city car.
My Volvo C30 experience started with an exterior color palette that was to die for. The java trim color was so yummy, Destiny wanted to lick the fender (and she would). The interior features a cool etched center control panel reminiscent of the tramp stamp Destiny wants to get on her lower back. The two bucket seats in back complete the single-girl trifecta of exterior design, interior design and room for chatty girlfriends. The rear seats are pushed toward the middle of the car with no third seat in between, so my gals are centered between the front seats — perfect for those giggly chats on the way to the latest hot spot.
For ladies like Ms. Butterfly, having a customized ride is really the ultimate in fabulous. She spent a couple hours creating her dream-mobile on the “Unbox Your C30” site (note the photo above and imagine a two-tone interior with quartz-colored carpet). According to the folks at Volvo, vendors are lining up to create even more custom options for the C30. Destiny is wetting herself as I write.
After a long night, I left Destiny hung over in the hotel and took the car out for a drive myself. I appreciated all the urban coolness she found so appealing, but also found some features that families can appreciate. There’s an available iPod jack that lets you scroll through your songs on the car’s interface rather than looking at your iPod screen. I, Emily, the suburban wife and mother of three, also appreciated the easy-to-clean, wetsuit-like material — called Kalix T-tech — that’s available for the seats. Also, the Latch connectors appeared to be fairly accessible (Destiny made me leave my child seats behind, so I couldn’t test that one for you). I actually think the C30 would make a great vehicle for either Destiny (the sexy, single city girl), my husband (the commuter), or my teenage son (the soon-to-be driver). OK, seriously, did I just admit I am the parent of a driving teenager? Destiny Butterfly would never admit to that.
Stay tuned for our full two-week test drive, with the family in tow, in the near future. Destiny will have to stay holed up in her trendy SoCal neighborhood for that one.
*For more information on the Volvo C30 and its safety features, visit Cars.com. With questions or comments regarding this review, write to editor@motherproof.com.
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