Although as you say, cars don't really need "running in" these days, I still feel it is wise to take it easy for the first 1000 or so if only to bed the tyres and brakes in.
I agree.
If you have a new car then taking the first 1,000 miles fairly gently will do no harm. The key thing is to keep varying the speed (no motorways) and don't rev the nuts off. I've done this on every new engine I've owned and it won't have done any harm.
