The Volvo C40 is an all electric subcompact luxury crossover SUV with a sloping roofline manufactured by Volvo Cars, which was officially released on 2 March 2021. The future of Volvo Cars is electric, and the new Volvo C40 Recharge is the latest manifestation of the company’s commitment to a zero-emission future. Following the introduction of the XC40 Recharge and now the C40 Recharge, Volvo Cars will roll out several additional electric models in the coming years. The Volvo C40 Recharge has all the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design. It is based on the CMA vehicle platform and is the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only. Already by 2025, it aims for 50 per cent of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest hybrids. By 2030, it plans for every car it sells to be pure electric.
The Volvo C40 Recharge will go into production in autumn 2021 and will be built alongside the XC40 Recharge at the Volvo Cars manufacturing plant in Ghent, Belgium. The rear of the Volvo C40 Recharge features a striking rear-end design to go with the lower roof line, while the new front design introduces a new face for electric Volvos and includes headlights with state-of-the-art pixel technology. Inside, the Volvo C40 Recharge provides customers with the high seating position that most Volvo drivers prefer, while it is available with a range of colour and deco options unique to the model. It is also the first Volvo model to be completely leather free.
Unlimited data enables superior connectivity and the C40 Recharge will receive software updates over the air. That means it will continue to improve over time after it has left the factory. Volvo with Google built in is seamlessly integrated for a uniquely helpful, connected, and more streamlined driving experience. It provides consumers with Google apps and services built-in, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. In markets where Volvo has signed a contract with a mobile network operator, all data required is included for four years in the Digital services package. This includes both for navigation and voice assistant, as well as downloading and running any type of apps (e.g. music streaming).
A fully charged battery gives you a projected range of up to 420km/210 miles in mixed driving before you need to recharge. But your real-world range is also affected by your driving style and other circumstances, such as outdoor temperature, weather, wind, topography and roads. Other factors that impact range include how much electricity you use for car functions such as heating and cooling of the car. Projected range according to WLTP and EPA driving cycles. Figures are based on preliminary target and and real-world range may vary. Final vehicle certification pending.The Volvo Cars Warranty for the battery is 8 years or 160,000km, whichever occurs first, provided that the car and battery are maintained and used in accordance with Volvo Cars’ recommendations.
Under the floor of the C40 Recharge lies a battery pack with 75-kWh of usable energy storage, which Volvo says should deliver about 210 miles of driving range per charge. All C40 Recharge models come with two electric motors—one mounted in the front and one in the rear—which can deliver up to 402-hp; all-wheel drive is standard. Volvo claims this powertrain can propel the C40 Recharge to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. This powertrain can be found in the XC40 Recharge as well as the Polestar 2 electric car, the latter of which blasted to 60 mph in just 4.1 seconds at our test track. The EPA hasn’t released any fuel economy estimates for the C40 Recharge, but it should come in somewhere around the XC40 Recharge, which is rated for 85 MPGe city and 72 MPGe highway.
