The C40 Recharge will start at 57,000 euros before tax incentives, based on the current XC40 compact SUV. The C40 electric car may only be ordered online, and the first automobiles will be delivered this fall. However, buyers can preorder the C40 Recharge before it goes on sale, as with many new electric car debuts.
The new C40 Recharge looks to be targeted at a specific market. It has the riding height of an SUV but only the load room of a hatchback car, which is a stylistic sacrifice. It does, however, start at a higher price than the more versatile all-electric XC40 Recharge on which it is based.
The Tesla Model 3, the Ford Mustang Mach-E, and the Volkswagen ID.4 are all more cheap EVs that are projected to have a longer range than the Volvo C40 Recharge.
The new Volvo EV will also face the Polestar 2, another electric vehicle from Geely, Volvo's parent company. However, the difference in pricing between the Polestar 2 and the XC40 Recharge is insignificant. The C40 will use a dual-motor configuration with a 78-kilowatt-hour battery, similar to the XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2 models with long-range and all-wheel drive. Some paint colors and leather-free interiors, on the other hand, will be exclusive to the C40.
The Volvo C40 Recharge continues a rising trend of electric SUVs. Audi was the first to apply the style to an EV with the E-Tron Sportback, although the Audi Q5 Sportback, BMW X4 and X6, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport are all gas-only cars that use this design philosophy. These electric vehicles typically have less rear headroom and load space than the vehicles they are based on.
Volvo claims the C40 Recharge is "lighter and slimmer" than the XC40 model, in addition to the squished back roofline. The C40 also sports a redesigned back perspective and a somewhat modified front look. There are seven car colors to choose from, and the Ultimate trim comes with 20-inch wheels.
We haven't had the fortune to see live the C40 yet, and Volvo hasn't provided comprehensive specifications, so we don't know how much the roof affects headroom. Most SUVs with similar shapes, on the other hand, prioritize space for the driver and passenger at the expense of those in the second row. The C40's whole cabin, according to Volvo, is leather-free. However, a cerulean-colored carpet called Fjord Blue is available as a no-cost alternative with some exterior hues.
The Google-powered infotainment system appears identical to that found in the Polestar 2, which runs on Android and includes features like Google Maps and Google Assistant. Although the two vehicles seem to have different user interfaces, we did not find this relationship beneficial in the Polestar we tested; to fully utilize the car's infotainment functions, customers must sign in to a Google account (and handle privacy settings). We're hoping that the system will be fine-tuned before this model is released to the public.
The standard trim is named Plus, while the more expensive Ultimate trim includes more technology, a panoramic sunroof, and a superior sound system.
The Volvo C40 Recharge electric SUV will be equipped with a 78-kWh battery and two electric motors, one of which will drive the front wheels and the other the rear. On the Polestar 2, we tested a similar powerplant and found it to deliver quick acceleration. The two vehicles, however, have significant variances. For example, the Polestar has its own dealership, whereas the Volvo must be acquired online. The Polestar also features sporty tuning choices that the Volvo does not, and the Volvo is manufactured in Belgium, while the Polestar is manufactured in China.
The C40's range has yet to be determined by the Environmental Protection Agency, but we expect it to be somewhere between the 334 km of the XC40 Recharge and the 374 km of the Polestar 2. Volvo further claims that when the vehicle is sold, every C40 will receive over-the-air (OTA) updates that will improve its performance, including the possibility to extend its driving range.
The Volvo C40 Recharge electric car will be equipped with "pixel" headlights in Europe, which are smart LED lights that can guide light in specific directions to better illuminate the road without causing glare to other drivers. However, these cutting-edge headlights are not yet authorized in the United States.
Volvo hasn't said which safety features will come standard. Still, we can expect a comprehensive suite of active safety systems, such as forward collision warning, automated emergency braking with pedestrian and bicycle detection, and blind-spot warning. In addition, on the Ultimate trim, the Pilot Assist system will be offered.
Volvo Cars have declared that by 2025, it wants half of its global car sales to be fully electric vehicles. However, we're not clear how much the C40 Recharge will help that aim, given its relatively expensive price, presumably limited range, and fierce competition—including comparable Volvo and Polestar electric vehicles. @via Volvo.
