Leather-free new Volvo C40 Recharge is EV-only

March 3, 2021March 9, 2021 John Carey 4136 Views Volvo C40, Volvo C40 Recharge, Volvo C40 Recharge EV, Volvo EV

Volvo has revealed its next EV, the Volvo C40 Recharge. It’s basically a coupe-style sister to the popular XC40 SUV, but with one crucial point of difference…

The big surprise of the vehicle’s online unveil event was that the C40 is “the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only”.

It comes as Volvo says its upcoming EVs will only be sold online.

So although the C40 uses the same motor and battery set-up as the XC40 Recharge T8 EV, there will not be equivalents of ICE– and plug-in hybrid-powered versions of the XC40. The XC40 Recharge T8 is scheduled to reach Australia in August.

Volvo C40 Recharge is EV-only. No ICE-powered or hybrid versions will be made

In the past Volvo used the letter ‘C’ for its coupe models. The C40 Recharge isn’t exactly a traditional coupe, but it is lower and sleeker than the XC40, in the same was as Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi and Porsche all offer sleeker but less practical versions of various SUVs; the Audi e-Tron is a one example, with Sportback body styles complementing the more conventional SUV shape.

Those looks mean the C40 Recharge is a less practical vehicle. The reshaped roofline may look good, but it also cuts rear-seat headroom by around 60mm. Though space beneath the cargo compartment cover of the new EV is almost identical to the XC40, that sloping tail will reduce its ability to carry taller cargo.

Lower roofline and sloping tail mean the C40 Recharge isn’t as practical as the XC40

Length and width are the same for C40 Recharge and XC40, and both are built on the same platform. Known as CMA, this architecture was jointly developed by Volvo and its Chinese parent company Geely. The C40 Recharge will be built at a Volvo’s Ghent factory in Belgium.

Volvo says the C40 Recharge will use the same dual-motor set-up as the XC40 Recharge T8. With each 150kW motor driving an axle, performance is sure to be snappy.

C40 Recharge will have same powerful dual-motor set-up as the XC40 Recharge T8

The battery pack will be the same 78kWh lithium-ion unit as used in the XC40 Recharge T8. According to Volvo, the C40 Recharge’s driving range will be “around 420km”.

It will have an 11kW on-board AC charger and will be compatible with 150kW DC fast chargers. Fast-charging the battery pack from almost empty to 80 percent will take around 40 minutes.

Volvo says it expects the driving range of the C40 Recharge will improve over time as the car receives over-the-air software updates.

Volvo C40 Recharge infotainment system was co-developed with Google

The car’s infotainment system was jointly developed with Google, and runs that company’s Android operating system. Apps and services including Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Store will be baked into the infotainment experience.

Inside, the C40 Recharge has the same elevated SUV-style seating position as the XC40. While the interior design is similar, the C40 Recharge will come with its own specific colour and decoration options. It’ll also be the first Volvo ever with a completely leather-free cabin.

Volvo C40 Recharge is the first Volvo to be EV only — The C40 Recharge electric car is an coupe-inspired SUV and the first Volvo not to be offered with an internal combustion engine

Production is scheduled to begin around September or October 2021. Expect Volvo to supply EV-hungry left-hand drive markets such as Europe, the USA and most of Asia before getting around to Australia, probably sometime well into 2022.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...