Thanks guys, I don’t think the R Design looks bad in any colour, but the red is really nice.
After a small amount of bother around communication whilst waiting for the car to be built, I have to say the handover went smoothly. Over the last week there’s been a lot of info back and forth to ensure the time spent at the dealership was minimal. They sent me a 30 min video on the controls the day before, done in my actual car, which I thought was a really nice touch. The On Call and modem set up was all done prior to collection (apart from the last step which you have to do with the car). I was away from the dealer in 45mins, drove around the corner, and spent a good 30mins setting things up as I wanted. I’m already familiar with Volvo systems and it still took a short while to get everything straight. I then had a very good 40 mile drive home with a bit of every type of road going. I have to say the car is really good! Smooth away, lovely progressive power delivery, great gearbox (8 speed auto) so hardly notice the changes, dynamic mode makes a proper difference to how the car feels (yes, I did test it, although being brand new I didn’t rag it ?), and the chassis through the twisty bits is properly sorted. You feel planted on the road and there’s no hint of that wallowing feeling that SUV’s often have. My advice is to turn the lane assist off on anything other than a straight road though. Every bend it thought I was going to crash and changed my line! It felt like being 17 again and learning to drive with my Dad ?. The only thing that I wasn’t instantly happy about was the brakes which seemed very grabby initially. Obviously they’re brand new and need bedded in so I’m sure this won’t last long (it also maybe is something to do with the regenerative energy system, I do like to see that little battery graphic filling up when you brake ?). Overall, we are all delighted with Sven The Red, and I look forward to the difference he’ll make to my life.
Wayne, there’s no danger of my car being clean until Summer! Half a mile of muddy farm track to negotiate every day will see to that ?. It’s a small price to pay to live in such a wonderful place though ????????. On the subject of your car, my fingers are crossed for you that a resolution arrives in the near future. I can totally understand the desire to not have to deal with Rybrook any more, but that car, in that spec, at that AP, well it’s a winner. ?
If any of you prospective owners have any questions then fire away.