Mother Proof's view

We all know about Volvo’s reputation for safe, family-oriented, somewhat-conservative vehicles: Sedans, wagons and one SUV in the lineup (the XC90). But what happens when Volvo presents its alter ego, the 2006 C70? On the surface, this four-seat hardtop convertible doesn’t seem to jive with what Volvo stands for.

Can a convertible be a family car? Can a convertible be safe and secure? Can the C70 fit in at the Volvo family picnic, or will it be shunned like poor Cousin Junior who hasn’t been invited back since he dyed his hair purple?

My first look at the C70 immediately disputes its connection to Cousin Junior. Sure, it is stretching Volvo’s conservative wings, but it’s much nicer to look at than purple hair. It’s modern without being too Jetson-like, youthful without being prepubescent yet still conservative enough to keep the neighbors from snickering.

Can the C70 be a family car? Well, put simply, yes – if you really want to work for it. Its two-door design means backseat passengers must climb in behind the front seats. This is simplified by two easily accessible adjustment mechanisms on the seats’ shoulders. This is fine for children who can climb in and get buckled unassisted, but I wouldn’t want to maneuver a rear-facing infant seat back there.

The two seats in the back are equipped with Latch/ISOFIX, although they’re not the easiest to get to. The rear seats are inset slightly from the front seats so the rear passengers actually have a view, as opposed to staring directly at the front headrests.

With the hardtop up, the trunk has a fair amount of space, with room for the essentials. This space is quickly eaten up when the top is lowered and stored, although enough still exists for the very bare essentials.

Can a convertible be safe and secure? Hidden roll bars behind the rear passenger seats pop up when an imminent rollover is detected. When the hardtop is closed, the roll bars pop up anyway, using a window punch mechanism to break through the rear glass and protect the passenger’s head space. These roll bars also extend if the vehicle is rear-ended at 20 mph or more to help protect backseat riders from large pieces of flying debris.

The 2006 C70 is the first true four-seat convertible with side curtain airbags. The door-mounted airbags extend up to protect front passengers in the event of a rollover. Herein lies my problem: Why are the front passengers more important than the rear? Why would Volvo want to protect me but not my children in back? When asked about this, Volvo’s team responded with some tongue tripping, then a very PC sounding explanation having something to do with engineering difficulties.

Oh, phewy! Life is all about overcoming obstacles and challenges. If it weren’t, I would’ve checked out of this whole parenting thing a long time ago and gone to live on the remote end of a Hawaiian island where I tested the C70.

A hardtop convertible conveys a much stronger sense of security than a traditional soft top. With the top up, there isn’t the concern that someone can just slash through a soft top to break into the vehicle, as with other convertibles. There isn’t much worth stealing in my cars, however, other than a couple car seats and some lame kids’ music CD’s. One of my test cars was broken into once, and I can’t figure out for the life of me why, but the hoodlums didn’t take the $200 Britax car seat. I guess they don’t care much about safety – tsk tsk!

When the top is down, several interior storage compartments lock along with the door locks to keep their contents safe. A large bolt inside the doors is activated within 30 seconds of locking the door so that passers-by are unable to reach inside the vehicle to unlock it manually.

The 2006 C70 will be entering dealer showrooms this spring. Parents who have resorted to minivandom out of necessity, only to feel suppressed, repressed and depressed, can run out and snatch up a C70 just in time for summer. It’s a great second car that can still accommodate the whole family (if it’s a family of four).

Let in the light, let in the fun, let in the youthful and carefree you. Shhhh, don’t tell your friends about all that safety stuff, as it might just mar the “cool quotient.”

*For more information on the Volvo C70 and its safety features, visit www.cars.com.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS LATCH Connectors: 2 Seating Capacity (includes driver): 4

IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Puny

SENSE AND STYLE Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Fair Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove On):Groove On