Volvo C40 Recharge Electric – Swedish Born Electric
Volvo has introduced the C40 Recharge coupe-SUV in India, marking its second all-electric vehicle release following last year’s XC40 Recharge SUV. The C40 Recharge is the coupe version of the XC40 Recharge SUV and maintains the same mechanical features as its SUV counterpart. This one is Born Electric which means it has been developed from ground zero as and only for an All Electric Vehicle in terms of platform, architecture etc. We drive the Volvo C40 Recharge around some rainy terrain of Lonavala to get you this detailed road test review loaded with information on the latest Swedish in town.
Design:
The C40 Recharge retains its SUV sibling’s design elements, including the signature Thor’s hammer LED Daytime Running Lamps, front bumper, hood, door contouring, and dual-tone 19-inch alloy wheels. The C40 Recharge comes with special Pixel LED headlights, which are currently unique to this model and not available in any other Volvo car in India. The C40 Recharge features body-colored door handles, A-pillars, and piano black-colored C-pillars, creating a cohesive design. The windows elegantly complement the overall aesthetic.
At the rear, the C40 Recharge boasts a coupe-like roofline with a steeply rear windscreen, prompting a redesign of the tailgate and tail-lamp assembly.
The C40 Recharge introduces a fresh two-part spoiler: a blacked-out one on the boot lid and a unique twin-pod design on the roof, both enhancing aerodynamics. The bumper remains consistent with the SUV version, but the C40’s rear design appears sportier than the XC40 Recharge.
Interior:
Inside, the dashboard of the C40 Recharge has the familiar Volvo style, and it’s the same as the one in the XC40 Recharge. The car keeps a 10.0-inch vertical touchscreen in the center, surrounded by thin vertical air vents. The dashboard has wooden details, and the instrument display is digital. The materials used are top-notch, just like you’d anticipate from Volvo, and everything is put together very well.
In terms of features, the C40 Recharge has an infotainment system based on Android. It directly uses Google Maps and Assistant and can access apps from the PlayStore through its own e-SIM. The car also includes a big sunroof, wireless phone charging, a 360-degree camera, a lot of smart safety features for driving, connected car technology, comfortable powered front seats with memory for the driver, heating and cooling, adjustable climate control, and a high-quality Harman Kardon sound system.
The C40 Recharge has a slightly smaller trunk than the SUV version, with 413 liters compared to 452 liters. The front trunk space, called a “frunk,” remains the same at 31 liters. Because of the sloping roofline, there might be less headroom in the back seats.
It’s important to mention that Volvo is committed to not using leather in the C40’s interior. This is part of their goal to eliminate leather from all their electric cars by 2025, to reduce harm to animals and carbon emissions.
Electric Motor – Transmission – Drive
The C40 Recharge’s foundation and how the power is delivered stay the same as the XC40 Recharge. The C40 Recharge in India uses a dual-motor setup (one on each axle) and a 78kWh battery. This lets it travel around 530km on a single charge, according to the WLTP cycle. It’s interesting to note that the range is much better than the SUV’s claimed 418km range, thanks to an improved battery and better design for moving through the air.
Because of the two electric motors, the C40 Recharge can drive with power going to all its wheels. These motors together make 408 horsepower and 660Nm of twisting force. Volvo says it can go from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in 4.7 seconds, which is a bit quicker than the XC40 Recharge. The C40 Recharge can also charge quickly using a 150kW DC charger. This can fill up its batteries from completely empty to full in about 27 minutes.
Drive quality:
Surprisingly, the C40 Recharge offers enjoyable handling and the one-pedal driving feature adds to the fun, allowing smooth maneuvers on curvy roads without using the brakes. Additionally, the ride quality is quite comfortable and pleasing. And of course, it’s really quiet and peaceful, just like a well-designed electric car should be.
Competitors:
When it’s introduced, the C40 Recharge will be in competition with the Kia EV6 and Hyundai Ioniq 5. Just like the SUV version, the C40 will be put together locally, but it might have a slightly higher price compared to the XC40 Recharge, which currently costs around Rs 56.90 lakh ex-showroom.
Verdict:
The C40 isn’t inexpensive, but its impressive performance makes up for the average range and exciting infotainment. The car feels so refined and capable that you instantly feel better once you’re inside, shut the door, and drive away.
Does it get better than its rivals? Yes it very well does in terms of design, drive, safety and features.
