Volvo Cars have shown their first all-electric model, the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD, which means we’ll have to update our Volvo Nomenclature page as well.
Motors & Performance
Based on the existing XC40, the XC40 Recharge brings a fully-electric all-wheel-drive drivetrain with 400 kilometres of range thanks to a 78kWh lithium-ion battery.
Two electric motors (one on each axle) give this electric XC40 402hp and 660Nm of torque, allowing it to complete the century sprint in 4.9 seconds. In line with Volvo Cars’ ambitions for safer cars, the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD has a limited top speed of 180km/h
Free Electricity
As part of their new Volvo Recharge campaign, Volvo Cars will be encouraging users to switch to electric by giving PHEV and EV buyers a year of free charging. Owners will be reimbursed for their spending. This makes sense as PHEV and EV variants tend to be more expensive than their petrol/diesel counterparts without government incentives.
Battery Pack & Safety
With DC charging, the battery can go from 0% to 80% in just 40 minutes. Regular AC home charging will take 7.5 hours to fully charge. This battery pack is located beneath the vehicle’s floor and Volvo’s head of safety say this is one of the safest cars they’ve ever made.
This version of the XC40 comes with a new safety structure that is made of extruded aluminium. Volvo have reinforced both the front and rear of the XC40 body structures. The battery’s central position gives it a sufficient crumple zone from all angles and lowers its centre of gravity for better rollover protections.
High Tech Safety System
In terms of active safety systems, the battery-powered XC40 also introduces new technology. It is the first Volvo model equipped with a new Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) sensor platform with software developed by Zenuity, the joint venture company owned by Volvo Cars and Veoneer.
The new ADAS platform is a modern, scalable active safety system that consists of an array of radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors. Because of its scalable nature it can easily be developed further and lays the foundation for the future introduction of autonomous drive technology.
New Android-based infotainment
As mentioned before, the XC40 Recharge P8 AWD debuts Volvo Cars’ new Android-based infotainment system. This system was designed to work with Volvo On Call digital services.
Tweak to looks
The most recognisable difference is the new grille which covers up most slats with a body-coloured panel adorned with the Volvo logo and diagonal bar.
Like the R-Design XC40, parts of the body are finished in black (side mirror caps, roof, etc).
The XC40 Recharge will also be made available in a new Sage Green colour.
A New Frunk
Because there’s no petrol engine under the hood, there’s now a secondary boot or frunk (front-trunk)
