News & Rants: Detroit Auto Show: Volvo C30 Electric Concept
Jan 13, 2010 Object
At the 2010 Detroit auto show, Volvo introduced a C30 electric concept car. The gas-powered C30 is a car that many of my MotherProof.com colleagues have raved about; in fact, our Chief Mama Kristin Varela owns one. While the exterior hasn’t changed on the electric model, the interior receives some small adjustments to accommodate the concept’s lithium-ion batteries.
Tags: 2012-or-2013, a-crossover-won, automotive, colleagues-have, darlings-on-the, family, fully-recharged, how to buy, life, motherproof, sweden
News & Rants: Preview: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
Jul 17, 2009 Object
For me, going green often includes some stress about the eco-product I’m buying. Will it work as well as my old standby, and is it worth the extra bucks out of my budget? The hybrid 2010 Lexus HS 250h has me rethinking my hesitancy about going green. With three distinct drive modes , the HS 250h struts its stuff as a fun-to-drive luxury hybrid that’ll fill your green quota for many miles to come.
With the push of a button you can choose from EV, Eco and Power drive modes. These modes are paired with an energy monitor that encourages more efficient driving. This monitor displays when the gas engine or electric motor is being used on a screen on top of the center stack. During my test drive at a Lexus event in Newport Beach, Calif., I achieved 38 mpgs on the city’s steep roads in the Eco mode. The Power mode lived up to its name; let the good times roll.
For efficiency fanatics, EV mode uses only the electric motor; it can stay in this mode for 1.5- 2 miles, as long as you’re going 20 mph or less.
Tags: a-hybrid-sedan-, electric-motor, green, motherproof, national, newport-beach, onto-the-hybrid, screen-on-top, touareg, traffic
Car Reviews: 2009 Ford Edge
Jul 2, 2009 Object
I went into labor with my daughter the day after I completed a Driver’s Edge training course with my MotherProof.com colleagues. Driver’s Edge is a nonprofit organization aimed at teaching teens real-life driving skills on a closed test course. The class is exciting, fun and, yes, you guessed it, edgy. My daughter consequently earned the nickname “Francie Edge,” which is befitting because she’s spunky, fast and lots of fun. I often feel beholden to all things edgy and was excited to give the 2009 Ford Edge a whirl. I expected it to embody some of the qualities that my daughter and Driver’s Edge courses offer, but the Ford Edge didn’t light my fire. There was no “edge” to this Edge.
The crossover’s stout body and electric blue exterior color made me feel like a frumpy Cookie Monster. Furthermore, the rate at which the Edge ate gas resembled the rate to which that silly blue monster eats cookies. The Edge gets an EPA-estimated 17/24 mpg city/highway, but I never managed to hit those numbers. I had to fill ’er up twice in two weeks. This seemed like a lot given I don’t log that many miles and usually fill up my own car once every two to three weeks.
While my overall experience with the Edge wasn’t all polka dots and moonbeams, there were a couple of bright spots. The rear cargo space is huge, and the cubby in between the front seats is spacious and offers several trays for organizing my stuff. The seating is comfortable, the cabin provides ample legroom and the Edge gets high safety marks.
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Car Reviews: 2009 Ford Edge
Tags: fire, give-the-2009, motherproof, never-managed, offers-several, provides-ample, qualities, training-course
