The Volvo XC40 Recharge is powered by twin electric motors, one on each axle, for a combined power output of 408 hp and has a claimed range of more than 400 km.
Volvo has unveiled it first all-electric model, the XC40 Recharge. It will be powered by a twin-motor setup with 408 hp and has a claimed range of more than 400 km. The Volvo XC40 Recharge joins the existing range of petrol and plug-in hybrid variants of the SUV and will go on sale in international markets later next year.
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is the first of the five all-electric models that Volvo plans to launch in the next five years. In fact, Volvo aims to make EVs account for half their global sales by 2025 with the rest featuring a hybrid powertrain. Also, all future electric cars from Volvo including their plug-in hybrid models will feature the new ‘Recharge’ branding.
The XC40 Recharge gets two electric motors of 204 hp each – one on each axle, effectively making it four-wheel drive – for a combined output of 408 hp and 660 Nm of torque. The SUV can sprint from 0-100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and has a limited top speed of 180 kph. It uses a 78kWh under-floor battery, with a WLTP-certified range of more than 400km. Charging is available through an 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC fast-charger, which Volvo says can deliver an 80 percent charge in 40min.
Visually, the XC40 Recharge looks largely similar to the standard XC40. The only notable difference is that there’s a new sealed fascia in place of the traditional radiator grille for the combustion engine. It also gets some ‘Recharge’ badgings and some minor cosmetic changes. The charging port is located on the rear pillar, exactly on the same place where the traditional fuel cap would have been.
This electric version of the XC40 is built on the same platform as the regular XC40, i.e, Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform. The SUV thus remains large similar in dimension, measuring 4,425mm in length and 2,034mm in breath. However, because the batteries and located under the floor, the XC40 Recharge has a reduced ground clearance of 175mm from the usual 210mm on the regular XC40. Cargo cacpacity has also been reduced from 460 liters in the regular model to 413 liters in the electric version.
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However, with the absence of a combustion engine under the hood, the XC40 gains a 31-litre ‘frunk’ storage area underneath the bonnet. What has gone up instead is the weight of the car. It now weighs a massive 2,150kg, compared to 1,497kg for the combustion-engined version. The XC40 Recharge is also the first Volvo to feature a new infotainment system powered by the Google Android operating system. This system features Volvo On Call – the firm’s digital platform.
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Volvo is planning to triple the production capacity for its electrified models, including the XC40 Recharge. It will also offer a new Designer’s Choice selection for Recharge models, which it says will feature “radically reduced delivery times”. The XC40 Recharge will eventually be headed to our market and Volvo is also looking into the possibility of local assembly to keep the price in check.
