New Year, New Chapter: Where Will You Go?

New Year: a new chapter, new verse, or just the same old story? Ultimately, we write it. The choice is ours.
– Alex Morritt

Photo courtesy of Jennifer Kieta

At the risk of sounding a bit overdramatic, the car you choose to drive can contribute a lot to your life’s story and where the next chapter takes you. It’s one of the ways we see the world, appreciate the people we hold in our hearts, and enjoy the conversations that take place along the way.

After test-driving the all-electric 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge, my driving story is NOT the same. It got more riveting!

Sit in, drive off. It’s that simple. A sensor recognizes when someone is in the driver’s seat, and another detects the key’s presence. So it’s just a question of selecting D (or R), checking the surroundings, and heading out on your journey. And the Volvo C40 Recharge makes even the most mundane trip to the grocery store an enjoyable journey!

If this stunning electric SUV had its way, a lot of trips wouldn’t take long at all. It can giddy-up from standstill to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and a driving range of 226 miles on one charge. As I drove around in the C40 Recharge, all I caught was some wind whisper and practically muted road rumble.

As well as glorious, instantaneous torque, most electric vehicles I have driven include the party trick of one-pedal driving. Slowing down and speeding up is performed solely with the accelerator pedal. Even coming to a complete stop doesn’t have to mean touching the brake pedal, unless there’s some urgency required, of course. For a driver new to electric cars, such as me, this may seem daunting, but it’s surprising how easy it is to learn and how quickly it becomes part of the driving experience.

The front seats are very comfortable with optional heating. Clever storage areas are in abundance, and there is a reasonable amount of rear passenger space and legroom. This Volvo comes with a standard panoramic fixed moonroof which includes a protective UV coating as the moonroof does not have an additional shade.

Exteriorly speaking, one of the most distinguishing features of the C40 is its sloping roof. There is no grille, just a panel that is the same color as the car. And there are some gorgeous colors to choose from. “My” C40 Recharge was Thunder Grey which is subtly elegant. Much like me!

Some of the C40 Recharge’s best features include:

• Google/Android Infotainment System
• Digital driver information display
• Navigation System
• Hands-free lift gate operation
• Pilot Assist
• Harman Kardon audio

And what would a Volvo be without its supreme safety features? It’s got everything you need to protect your precious cargo, incuding:

• Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection
• Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Available adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature.

Let’s be honest here. I’ve never written about an Autobahn Fort Worth test-drive that wasn’t about being sincerely thrilled and overjoyed with what I was driving, and the 2023 Volvo C40 Recharge is no exception. What can I say? I love cool cars, and I love everything about Autobahn Fort Worth! They are good people who love to give exceptional service and care to their clients. Thank you, Autobahn Fort Worth. This girl is smitten once again.

Are you wanting to start a new chapter, new verse, or new story in driving into 2023? Go visit my friends at Volvo and ask them for a test-drive of the Volvo C40 Recharge. Prepare to fall in love!