Mother Proof Live at the New York Auto Show: Day 1

2009 Volvo XC60

3/19/08

Reports From the Auto Show Floor

Volvo XC60’s Sensible Sensuality

After speaking to Mike Cattone, product strategy manager for Volvo’s new XC60, I’m terribly sorry to burst our readers’ bubble, but it turns out “Sensual Volvo” doesn’t mean this car has airbags full of bubble bath after all.

Still, with Volvo’s new City Safety system standard in the XC60, you can indulge in your evening tub soak with a clear conscience, knowing that when the chaos of life begins all over again tomorrow, both you and your family will be safe on the road in this crossover.

The City Safety system works much like dolphin echolocation: An infrared laser is emitted from the vehicle, bounces off any cars in front of it and returns back to the XC60. If you’re traveling under 10 mph and a collision is imminent, the XC60 will actually stop for you to avoid the collision. Between 10 and 20 mph, the car will apply the brakes to lessen the impact of a collision. As 75% of all accidents happen at speeds less than 20 mph, just imagine the impact this could have on the safety of our roads.

As the “most sensual Volvo ever,” the new XC60 is a sexy little number that lives up to Volvo’s Scandinavian sensibility and safety. I can’t wait to drive it — even without the Volvo bubble bath.

Mitsubishi’s i MiEV for Electric-Leaning Families

What’s a progressive urban-dwelling family of four to do when they want to drive an electric car but would rather not bungee-cord the kids to the roof?

They might just consider a four-door, four-seat Mitsubishi i MiEV, aka Innovative Electric Vehicle. It’s a tiny car – about a foot shorter than a Mini Cooper – that’s currently available in a gas version in Japan (called the ‘i’), but the electric i MiEV version is now in testing. You might see some on the road here in the states over the next five months as fleet partnerships with utility companies are formed.

Tooling around in this super-fun and incredibly maneuverable ride nearly caused several (more) traffic jams in NYC this morning. Truckers and taxi drivers alike stopped me to ask about the car. It takes between six and 14 hours to charge completely, though a rapid charger is in development that would speed the charge to 30 minutes. A full charge offers a range of 80 to 100-miles, which I estimate would allow me to make 30 trips to and from H&M, spending all my fuel savings on clothes (hey – I am in NY). Work, schmurk. Sounds like a sweet deal to me. The only bungee cords required are those I’ll need to secure my loot to the roof.