Recharging the Volvo C40 is the shape of things to come
Almost everyone has a Volvo story. Whether it’s fond childhood memories of your parents driving you around in a 245 station wagon, road tripping in an inherited S60, or buying your first real car, a C30, Volvo cars are woven into the fabric of our culture. But perhaps your Volvo story includes a more recent journey: moving from a traditional gas-powered vehicle to an electric vehicle.
Volvo started manufacturing cars in 1927 to solve a problem: they believed that no other car manufacturer made cars strong or safe enough to travel on Swedish roads. By 1955, the debut of the popular PV444 transformed the young European brand into a household name. In 1959, Volvo engineer Niels Bohlen introduced the three-point seat belt, and in 1972, Volvo’s CEO at the time, Per Gyllenhammar, acknowledged the negative environmental impacts of cars. Since then, Volvo Cars has used its ingenuity to enhance safety and reduce the environmental impact of its products. One look at the first-ever all-electric C40 Recharge shows that Volvo’s expression of style, safety and sustainability continues to evolve the way we drive.
Full range of motion
When Volvo first revealed the C40 Recharge in 2021, the all-electric crossover came with an all-wheel drive system powered by a dual-motor setup, with one motor mounted on each axle and a 75.0 kWh battery pack positioned between them. The AWD model is strong and powerful, now producing 402 horsepower and 494 pound-feet of torque. Additionally, the C40 Recharge now offers a model variant that features a longer driving range and faster charging times than in previous years.
The 2024 model year sees the addition of the rear-wheel drive C40 Recharge; It’s the first time in 25 years that Volvo has had rear-wheel drive. Powered by a new 82.0 kWh battery pack, the rear-drive version produces a competitive 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque.
Volvo has tuned the C40 Recharge’s chassis for comfort and stability, so the crossover maintains its composure on winding side roads and highway lanes, delivering smooth ride quality and quick torque delivery.
On a full charge, the single-motor Extended Range Edition offers a range of up to 297 miles¹. Dual-motor extended range versions offer a range of up to 257 miles². The RWD model is capable of being connected to a 150 kW fast charger, which needs just 28 minutes to replenish the battery from 10 to 80 percent. The AWD model can be connected to a 150-kilowatt DC charger and charged from 10 to 80 percent in about 34 minutes³. When you choose to plug in at home, it will take approximately 7 or 8 hours to charge from 0 to 100 percent using an 11kW AC fast charger.
Responsible luxury
The C40 Recharge is sculpted, with a sleek, simple silhouette. Its crossover design anchors a sporty, sloping roofline over the SUV’s proportions and spaciousness – a marriage of form and function that the Swedish automaker has become synonymous with.
Its contemporary, concise design starts at the front fascia, where the absence of a traditional grille indicates that there is no engine up front that needs to be cooled. Its lighting details are expressive. The C40 Recharge is available with 84 LED pixel lighting elements in the shape of Thor’s hammer.
Inside, the C40 Recharge is a model of Scandinavian design, with elegant surfaces flowing through the cabin. It’s also Volvo Cars’ first completely leather-free interior: soft non-leather or custom wool-blend materials are interspersed throughout. Behind the steering wheel is a clear, new-generation 12.3-inch digital cluster that works alongside the large, vertically oriented 9-inch infotainment center to access key vehicle information. Apps like Google Play, Google Assistant, and Google Maps with Google built-in provide a seamless, personalized interface.†
Across the front passenger area, a backlit transparent panel extends over the dashboard to create an ambient light effect, etched in a pattern modeled after topographical lines found in one of Sweden’s national parks. Above the passengers, the C40 Recharge’s sloping roofline is enhanced by a fixed panoramic roof with dark-tinted laminated glass that provides effective protection from glare and UV rays. This open-air feeling allows sunlight and moonlight to flood the cabin while improving climatic comfort in all weathers and temperatures.
Crossing into the future
No other automaker can claim the safety reputation that Volvo Cars has, and the brand hasn’t stood still on that front. The C40 Recharge’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) and a host of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) make this SUV a bastion of state-of-the-art safety. The C40 Recharge was developed with the absence of a combustion engine in mind. It’s designed to absorb more crash energy than a conventional gas-powered vehicle, and has an extruded aluminum safety cage around its battery to create a crumple zone for added protection. Its ADAS suite uses the car’s radars, cameras and ultrasonic sensors to include a truly modern active safety system, cross-traffic alert with automatic braking, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) and Lane Keeping Assist.
Starting at a base MSRP of $53,600, the Volvo C40 Recharge comes in three trim levels: Core, Plus, and Ultimate. The latter offers additional luxury features such as a Harman Kardon Premium sound system with 13 speakers.
Although Volvo launched the electric variant of its popular XC40 Recharge in 2020, the introduction of the first-ever electric-only C40 Recharge a year later marked a crucial starting line for the automaker’s commitment to electrification. Volvo Cars plans to be fully electric by 2030 and climate neutral by 2040, and is pursuing an ambitious plan to continuously reduce its lifecycle carbon footprint. Alongside the C40 Recharge, the all-new all-electric Volvo EX90 and EX30 are on the horizon. The Swedish automaker’s shift toward full electrification is clearly moving forward, bringing its plans for a safer, more sustainable future into the here and now.
¹EPA estimated at 118 city / 96 highway / 107 combined. Used for comparison purposes only. Your range and MPGe will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery pack/condition, and other factors. Visit Fueleconomy.gov for more information. Charging times can vary and depend on factors such as outside temperature, battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition, and vehicle condition.
²EPA estimates 106 city/91 highway/99 combined. Used for comparison purposes only. Your range and MPGe will vary for many reasons, including but not limited to, driving conditions, how and where you drive, how you maintain your vehicle, battery pack/condition, and other factors. Visit Fueleconomy.gov for more information. Charging times can vary and depend on factors such as outside temperature, battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition, and vehicle condition.
³Charging times will vary and depend on factors such as outside temperature, current battery temperature, charging equipment, battery condition, and vehicle condition
†Features shown may not be standard or available for all models, styles and engine options. Google Assistant is not available in all languages and markets. Google, Google Play and Google Maps are trademarks of Google LLC.
