Pursuitist drove the brand new Volvo C40 Recharge final 12 months in Brussels and Ghent Belgium (see story beneath Autos). We additionally had the current alternative to drive Volvo’s newest Battery Electrical Automobiles, the 2024 Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions in stunning Gothenburg, Sweden — Volvo’s newest manifestation of its dedication to a zero emissions future. By 2025, Volvo’s purpose is for 50% of its world gross sales quantity to encompass totally electrical vehicles and 50% hybrids. By 2030, it plans for each automotive it sells to be pure electrical.
Volvos All over the place!
The beautiful roads round Gothenburg, Sweden served because the backdrop of our drive of the brand new Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Volvos. As a Volvo proprietor for over 30 years, I respect and totally perceive the attraction of the marque; as do Swedes, who see the model as a badge of nationwide delight. Volvo is the one model with Swedish heritage, because the Saab model went out of enterprise in 2011.
As anticipated, when driving throughout Sweden, you’ll see Volvo’s in every single place! Swedes have the benefit of having the ability to purchase many alternative Volvo fashions, together with a number of station wagon variants, that aren’t obtainable within the U.S. market.
Why the Return to Rear-Wheel Drive?
The final RWD Volvo offered within the U.S. was the 1998 Volvo S90/V90. Volvo’s change to Entrance-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) heralded a brand new pathway for the model, which touted the improved foul climate enchantment of these two, new platforms.
Throughout the press convention for the 2 new RWD fashions, Volvo execs touted the dealing with prowess of the RWD platform as being higher than the FWD C40 and XC40 for the next causes:
- Steadiness – The massive central battery and lighter-weight motors create a well-balanced weight distribution and decrease middle of gravity
- Energy – The excessive torque of electrical motors could make steering beneath acceleration harder when solely the entrance wheels are powered
- Really feel – Rear-wheel propulsion gives a extra dynamic and agile driving expertise, with sharper steering and improved traction
- Management – Advances in digital stability management programs and improved weight distribution help security, stability, and a refined drive.
Volvo C40/XC40 Exterior
The C40 Recharge has all the advantages of an SUV however with a decrease and sleeker design. It’s based mostly on the CMA car platform and the primary Volvo mannequin in historical past designed as pure electrical solely.
The general look works, because the lengthy hood and sloping roofline that flows right into a excessive, shorter rear part make the C40 look aggressive, with a plus to the good-looking 20-inch alloy wheels that don’t scream “That is an electrical automotive” for accentuating the general sport-ute like peak of the car. A pair of roof-mounted winglets and rear spoiler add to the aggressive look.
The XC40 Recharge carries the SUV theme of the gas-powered XC40, the infant brother of the XC90. Styling is clear and purposeful.
The XC40 is a bit taller than the C40 (65.0” vs. 62.6”), however shares the identical 174.8” general size. The rounded roofline of the C40 gives a smidgen extra entrance headroom than the XC40 (40.9” vs. 40.6”), however considerably much less rear-seat headroom because of the sloping roofline (36.7” vs. the XC40’s 39.1”).
Volvo C40/XC40 Inside
Inside, each the C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions present prospects with the excessive seating place that the majority Volvo drivers want. Additionally it is the primary Volvo mannequin to be utterly leather-free. All interiors are black, though you will get color-coordinated door playing cards.
Overhead, a full glass panoramic roof provides the inside an open, ethereal really feel.
The infotainment system was collectively developed with Google and is predicated on the Android working system. It gives customers with Google apps and companies built-in, resembling Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Retailer. Apple Automobile Play will likely be obtainable within the close to future. The 12.3-inch driver show and 9-inch middle touchscreen present all pertinent info, and the middle display is voice and contact enabled. Over-the-air software program updates will be scheduled or set to obtain robotically.
As talked about, the inside of each is welcoming for giant and tall people, at the very least up entrance. The sloping roof within the C40 relegates shorter people to the rear row of this five-seater. The XC40 has superb rear seat headroom.
The C40 Recharge gives respectable cargo capability (rear hatch with seats folded and entrance “frunk”), and a most towing capability of 2000 kilos. The XC40 has extra cargo capability, 57.5 cubic ft versus 49 for the C40.
Volvo C40/XC40 RWD Powertrain and Drive Expertise
The brand new Single Motor Prolonged Vary C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge function a strong 185 kW (248 hp) everlasting magnet e-motor on the rear axle and an 82kWh battery pack. This mixture of a extra energy-dense battery and environment friendly motor permits the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge to realize as much as 297 and 293 miles of vary, respectively.
Charging energy has improved because the uprated 82 kWh battery pack permits for charging at a prime fee of 200 kW DC. Charging the automotive from 10-80 % state-of-charge takes roughly 28 minutes.
Even with the one motor, each fashions provide very satisfying efficiency. Electrical autos provide silent thrust that’s infinitely addictive.
Driving throughout scenic Sweden was superb. Two nice vehicles in one of the crucial scenically stunning locations I’ve ever visited. On the highways and byways, nice acceleration and a well-balanced chassis made the drive tremendous gratifying.
All-Wheel Drive Variants are Up to date
Along with driving the RWD variants, we additionally drove up to date AWD variants of the C40/XC40 Recharge that additionally profit from updates that present the pair with further vary. The earlier set-up of two 150 kW electrical motors on each entrance and rear axles has been changed by our in-house developed 255 hp electrical motor on the rear axle and a brand new 147 hp asynchronous electrical motor on the entrance axle. Because the asynchronous motor doesn’t require a continuing electrical cost, the Twin Motor conserves vitality by partaking the front-axle drive solely when it’s wanted – contributing to the enhancements in vary.
The Twin Motor variants of the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge retain the 78kWh battery pack with a prime charging fee of 150 kW DC. This implies the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD can now drive as much as 254 miles, a 21-mile enhance over the earlier iteration. The vary of the C40 Recharge Twin Motor has improved as much as 257 miles from 226 miles (mixed EPA cycle).
Exterior updates additionally assist contribute to effectivity good points. For instance, a brand new 19-inch alloy wheel for each C40 and XC40 Recharge not solely boosts the general look of the fashions, but it surely additionally helps to scale back drag by way of its aerodynamic design.
| Mannequin | Drive | Vary (EPA estimated) |
| C40 Recharge Single Motor | RWD | 297 miles |
| C40 Recharge Twin Motor | AWD | 257 miles |
| XC40 Recharge Single Motor | RWD | 293 miles |
| XC40 Recharge Twin Motor | AWD | 254 miles |
Volvo C40 Guarantee/Service Info
Volvo’s “Handy Care” commonplace shopper package deal contains Put on Protection (4 years/40,000 miles), Manufacturing facility Scheduled Upkeep (additionally 4/40,000), Bumper-to-Bumper New Automobile Guarantee (4/50,000), and Excessive Voltage Drive Battery protection (8/100,000). The C40/XC40 Care Provide additionally comes with 250 kW of DC quick charging with Electrify America, an EV charging firm; and Electrify America’s Go + for one 12 months, which supplies you a kWh fee low cost on quick charging.
Extra EV Fashions to the Launch Quickly
Volvo is on a full-speed march in direction of electrification of further fashions, together with the tremendous luxe EX90 and the EX30, a small, totally electrical SUV for the fashionable period, designed to be secure and have a smaller CO2 footprint than any Volvo automotive ever constructed.
It can even be tremendous “inexperienced,” with superior sustainable supplies used within the inside, for instance. Recycled and renewable supplies for seats, dashboard and doorways will likely be used, together with supplies resembling denim, flax, and a wool mix that additionally comprises round 70 % recycled polyester.
Considerably, on the finish of the EX30’s lifespan, the car is designed to be recovered as much as 95 % by recycling the supplies and recovering vitality from what can’t be recovered.
All of those developments tie to Volvo’s plan to ship on being a climate-neutral firm by 2040, by way of a 40% minimize of general CO2 emissions per automotive from 2018 ranges.
Whereas in Sweden, we had the chance to go to Volvo’s Wind Tunnel Take a look at Facility. There, we noticed fantastic aerodynamic tuning on the EX90. What a fantastic expertise!
Keep tuned!