Winter Warmer

[gjh613]

Here in Belgium we can specify the XC60 with a timer option for the auxilliary heater. Using the left hand stalk I can set the timer so that I am able to leave the house and walk out to a thoroughly defrosted, warm and very comfortable car. Not only is it infinitely more pleasant on these freezing mornings, but it is much safer than trying to peer through a partially defrosted windscreen for the first few miles of the journey.

I couldn't specify this timer on a UK car because I couldn't be trusted not to use such a system in an enclosed garage and suffocating as a result. The benefits of driving off in a thoroughly defrosted car with good visibility all round must surely outweigh the very small risk of some fool trying to use the heater and timer in an enclosed space.

There are very few occasions when I prefer to be driving in Belgium than in the UK, but on these cold winter mornings when I climb into my lovely warm XC60..........

[155mph]

For a minute there I was dreaming about a McD's Big Breakfast .

[Daleman]

I struggle to believe that is the reason we are not allowed the pre warm system in the UK and that we are all at potential risk to top ourselves if our vehicles are to be allowed to be fitted with such a device!