The Volvo C40 Recharge is the carmaker’s second electric vehicle (EV) and it is an SUV-coupé version of the XC40 Recharge P8 electric SUV.
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The Volvo C40 Recharge shares its CMA platform with the XC40 Recharge
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Dual electric motor setup produces a combined 408hp and 660Nm
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78kWh battery pack is estimated to offer a range of 418km
Volvo C40 Recharge: design and platform
Built on the Swedish company’s CMA platform, the C40 is based on the electric version of the XC40, gaining a sloping roofline and a new tail-light design. The front features a progression of the XC40 P8’s closed-off grille, which is “a new face for electric Volvos”.
At 4,431mm long and 2,035mm wide, the C40 has the same exterior dimensions as the XC40, except it’s 690mm shorter, at 1582mm, due to the coupé roof. The sloping rear marginally reduces rear passenger head room by 62mm, although boot capacity is less impacted, at 413 litres. There is also a 31-litre under bonnet ‘frunk’.
While the sloping roof gives it a more hatchback-esque design, Volvo says the C40 Recharge still offers a raised seating position.
Volvo C40 Recharge: powertrain and performance
The C40 uses the same powertrain as its XC40 Recharge P8 and Polestar 2, with a 204hp electric motor mounted on each axle for a combined output of 408hp and 660Nm. This results in a claimed 0-100kph time of 4.9sec. And, as with all Volvo models now, its top speed is limited to 180kph.
Volvo C40 Recharge: battery and charging
A 78kWh lithium-ion battery offers an estimated range of 418km. It can be charged by a 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC charger, with the latter allowing an 80 percent charge from empty in around 40 minutes. Volvo says that the machine’s range should improve over the car’s lifetime through planned over-the-air software updates.
Volvo C40 Recharge: interiors and features
The new SUV will be offered with a range of unique interior trim colours and lines and will be Volvo’s first completely leather-free model. It also features Volvo’s new Android-based touchscreen infotainment system, which was jointly developed with Google, and will be offered with unlimited data usage to enable over-the-air updates. That system, which was first used in the XC40 Recharge, offers a significant step forward over its previous infotainment system.
Volvo has yet to release any images of the C40 Recharge’s interior, although it is expected to use very similar styling to the XC40 Recharge.
Volvo C40 Recharge: production
Due to go into production later this year with first deliveries in international markets slated for before 2022, the C40 has been launched in line with Volvo’s ambition for half of its global sales to be full EVs by 2025 and to be an EV-only firm by 2030.
The C40 will be produced alongside the XC40 at Volvo’s factory in Ghent, Belgium. It will be followed by an electric version of the next-generation XC90 seven-seater – tipped to arrive next year – and a smaller SUV built on a new platform, set to be named the XC20.
Volvo’s India plans
The Swedish carmaker is set to launch the all-electric XC40 Recharge in India in the coming months. Volvo has previously stated that it’s keen on assembling the electric XC40 in India, which could result in a relatively competitive price. From 2022, Volvo aims to have only petrol and battery electric models in India.
As things stand Volvo offers a total of five models in our market – the XC40, XC60, XC90 SUVs along with the S90 and recently launched S60 sedan.
Also see:
New Cars for 2021: EVs
New cars for 2021: SUVs