We are in Sweden to get a closer look at Volvo and meet its very senior management. The ‘star’ of this trip is the the all new Volvo electric model, the C40 Recharge which was launched in Malaysia late last year for just RM288,888.
Now, in January 2023 we are in Sweden to test drive this ground breaking electric Volvo with winter tires fitted to tackle the slippery winter conditions and get a better understanding of Volvo’s FIRST all electric vehicle.
There are two variants on offer, a single motor and also a twin motor and this in ‘lay-mans’ terms means lower power output and also higher power output. Malaysians get the twin motor which is ‘all wheel drive’ (single motor is rear wheel drive) and all the luxury and safety features that Volvo is famous for.
A Harmon Kardon audio system with 8 speakers, with 7 channels has a power output of 250W. This can be easily ‘used’ by the driver or front passenger via the 9-inch touch screen center display. The driver is fed all the necessary navigation and vehicle drive information right in front of them via the 12-inch driver display.
Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge comes with one of the best infotainment systems on the market, jointly developed with Google and based on the Android operating system.
It provides consumers with Google apps and services built-in, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.
Unlimited data enables superior connectivity and the C40 Recharge will receive software updates over the air. That means it will continue to improve over time after it has left the factory.
Meanwhile, the Volvo C40 Recharge has all the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design. It is based on the CMA vehicle platform and is the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only.
Volvo Cars has made a commitment that by 2025, it aims for 50 percent of its global sales volume to consist of fully electric cars, with the rest plug-in hybrids. By 2030, it plans for every car it sells to be pure electric which means petrol power in any form will no longer exist.
The rear of the Volvo C40 Recharge features a striking rear-end design to go with the lower roof line, while the new front design introduces a new face for electric Volvos and includes headlights with state-of-the-art pixel technology.
It is good to see that the Volvo C40 Recharge cabin provides customers with the high seating position that most Volvo drivers prefer, while it is available with a range of colour and deco options unique to the model. It is also the first Volvo model to be completely leather free.
The propulsion consists of twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle, powered by a 78kWh battery that can be fast charged to 80 percent in about 40 minutes. It offers an anticipated range of around 420km, which is expected to improve over time via over-the-air software updates.
Interestingly, this C40 Recharge that has the distinction of being the very first 100 percent leather-free Volvo vehicle ever produced and this is what younger and maybe some older buyers will appreciate.
Plus, lets not ignore the new ‘nose’ design of the C40 which is the design direction of all coming Volvo electric vehicles, grille free!
Here below are some must know facts about this Volvo C40 Recharge. Its height is 1591mm with a width of 1873mm and a length of 4440mm. It has a turning circle of just 11.4mm and there is 413L of luggage room at the rear. With the rear seats up, the load compartment has enough space below the load cover for two suitcases 750mm long, 520mm wide and 310mm high.
You can get 1,205L of space if you fold down the rear seats for optimal luggage capacity and with a flat load floor and no lip to lift items over, larger objects are easier to load and unload.
A foldable floor acts as a handy divider to hold shopping bags secure as well as enabling hidden, lockable underfloor storage.
If you have not visited a showroom in Malaysia, try and find the time just to get up close with this next generation Volvo.
Volvo C40 Recharge Specifications
Motor: Twin electric motor
Battery Capacity: 78.0kWh
Range: 345km
Max power: 408hp
Max torque: 670Nm
Max Engine Power: 300kW
Top Speed: 180km/h
0-100 km/h: 4.7 seconds
