Media Invite
(Daddy test-drives)
The age of fusion is truly upon us. Consumers’ demands have evolved and so have the options available to them. And it is with these in mind that the new Volvo V40 Cross Country brings the unique blend of capable ruggedness and expressive elegance to someone who likes the idea of driving his/her Volvo with a dash of adventure.
And when there is adventure, you can be sure that the cheekiemonkies will never be too far away! So imagine the boys' joy - okay I admit, I did a jiggity jig too - when Volvo Singapore invited us to experience the V40 Cross Country for our own and take a leisurely drive from the showroom to the S.E.A. Aquarium at Resorts World Sentosa.
At first glance, the V40 Cross Country is indeed a beauty. It is based on the V40 family car, but with some extra body cladding to give it a more rugged appearance. What got my attention first were the aggressive, beak-like bonnet with its handsome contours, and the extreme rake of the windscreen. The rear view is particularly distinctive as well, with its funky tail lights and two-tone tailgate.
And while I was given a tour of the showroom and briefed on the various features that the V40 Cross Country entail, my three monkies were already making themselves at home in the car.
With the V40 Cross Country, it ups the safety factor further by adding several new features as standard inclusions.
There is the Lane Keeping Aid that helps the driver to stay in the intended lane. It will gently steer the car back into the lane should it show signs of unintentional drifting out of the lane, coupled with a vibrating steering wheel. And should the car sensors assess that the car is moving out of the intended lane on a regular basis, the Driver Alert Control will sound off to alert the driver and advise him/her to take a break.
One cool feature that I love is the Road Sign Information feature which displays speed limit and 'no overtaking' signs in the driver's instrument display whenever the forward-looking camera in the car detects such signs along the roads. The V40 Cross Country also comes with an upgraded City Safety system, which automatically brakes the car (at speeds up to 50 km/h) if the driver fails to react in time when the vehicle in front slows down or stops - or if the car is approaching a stationary vehicle too fast.
Interior-wise, the car has one that is a cut above its rivals for style. In place of the usual analogue meters, there is a digital instrument cluster with three themes - elegance, eco and performance - that can be customised to display different illumination, graphics and information.
Interestingly, the car's interior lighting can also be tuned to seven mood-setting colours... something which delighted the monkies to no end.
And yes, the back row of seats were wide enough to accommodate a child seat in the centre for Ale, a booster seat for Ayd and there was still ample space for Ash to sit comfortably. Failing which, there is always the 355-litres car boot space.
Once everyone was seated comfortably, we were off to the S.E.A. Aquarium! I found the drive to be pleasant, with a perky power delivery. The route didn't allow me the chance to tackle the expressways but on the normal roads, the V40 Cross Country bowls along nicely and comfortably.
As for the monkies, they were kept occupied by the panoramic glass roof (with electrically-controlled blind) which certainly gave the interior cabin a more spacious feel.
All too soon though, we soon reached our destination. And for all of our past car trips, this must have the first time that I heard the two boys exclaim, "What?? So fast reach?"
It was definitely a thoroughly fun morning with the Volvo V40 Cross Country and thanks to Wearnes Automotive for having us! My only gripe? The driving experience was far too fleeting. Heh.
Email to a friend
No comments :
Post a Comment