Friday, March 29, 2024

2024 Volvo C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge RWD: Prolonged Vary Luxurious


XC40 & C40 Recharge

Pursuitist drove the brand new Volvo C40 Recharge final yr in Brussels and Ghent Belgium (see story underneath Autos). We additionally had the current alternative to drive Volvo’s newest Battery Electrical Autos, the 2024 Volvo C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions in stunning Gothenburg, Sweden — Volvo’s newest manifestation of its dedication to a zero emissions future. By 2025, Volvo’s aim is for 50% of its international gross sales quantity to encompass absolutely electrical automobiles and 50% hybrids. By 2030, it plans for each automotive it sells to be pure electrical.

 

XC40 Recharge on the street in Sweden

Volvos In every single place!

The gorgeous roads round Gothenburg, Sweden served because the backdrop of our drive of the brand new Rear Wheel Drive (RWD) Volvos. As a Volvo proprietor for over 30 years, I respect and absolutely perceive the attraction of the marque; as do Swedes, who see the model as a badge of nationwide delight. Volvo is the one model with Swedish heritage, because the Saab model went out of enterprise in 2011.

 

As anticipated, when driving throughout Sweden, you’ll see Volvo’s in all places! Swedes have the benefit of having the ability to purchase many various Volvo fashions, together with a number of station wagon variants, that aren’t accessible within the U.S. market.

Why the Return to Rear-Wheel Drive?

The final RWD Volvo offered within the U.S. was the 1998 Volvo S90/V90. Volvo’s change to Entrance-Wheel Drive (FWD) and All-Wheel Drive (AWD) heralded a brand new pathway for the model, which touted the improved foul climate enchantment of these two, new platforms.

In the course of the press convention for the 2 new RWD fashions, Volvo execs touted the dealing with prowess of the RWD platform as being higher than the FWD C40 and XC40 for the next causes:

  • Stability – The big central battery and lighter-weight motors create a well-balanced weight distribution and decrease heart of gravity
  • Energy – The excessive torque of electrical motors could make steering underneath acceleration harder when solely the entrance wheels are powered
  • Really feel – Rear-wheel propulsion supplies a extra dynamic and agile driving expertise, with sharper steering and improved traction
  • Management – Advances in digital stability management programs and improved weight distribution assist security, stability, and a refined drive.

 

Volvo C40/XC40 Exterior

XC40 & C40 Recharge

 

The C40 Recharge has all the advantages of an SUV however with a decrease and sleeker design. It’s based mostly on the CMA automobile platform and the primary Volvo mannequin in historical past designed as pure electrical solely.

The general look works, because the lengthy hood and sloping roofline that flows right into a excessive, shorter rear part make the C40 look aggressive, with a plus to the good-looking 20-inch alloy wheels that don’t scream “That is an electrical automotive” for accentuating the general sport-ute like top of the automobile. A pair of roof-mounted winglets and rear spoiler add to the aggressive look.

The XC40 Recharge carries the SUV theme of the gas-powered XC40, the infant brother of the XC90.  Styling is clear and purposeful.

The XC40 is a bit taller than the C40 (65.0” vs. 62.6”), however shares the identical 174.8” general size. The rounded roofline of the C40 provides a smidgen extra entrance headroom than the XC40 (40.9” vs. 40.6”), however considerably much less rear-seat headroom because of the sloping roofline (36.7” vs. the XC40’s 39.1”).

Volvo C40/XC40 Inside

Inside, each the C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions present prospects with the excessive seating place that almost all Volvo drivers want. It’s also the primary Volvo mannequin to be utterly leather-free. All interiors are black, though you will get color-coordinated door playing cards.

 

 

Overhead, a full glass panoramic roof offers the inside an open, ethereal really feel.

The infotainment system was collectively developed with Google and is predicated on the Android working system. It supplies customers with Google apps and companies built-in, comparable to Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Retailer. Apple Automobile Play can be accessible within the close to future. The 12.3-inch driver show and 9-inch heart touchscreen present all pertinent data, and the middle display is voice and contact enabled. Over-the-air software program updates will be scheduled or set to obtain routinely.

As talked about, the inside of each is welcoming for large and tall people, at the least up entrance. The sloping roof within the C40 relegates shorter people to the rear row of this five-seater. The XC40 has superb rear seat headroom.

The C40 Recharge provides first rate cargo capability (rear hatch with seats folded and entrance “frunk”), and a most towing capability of 2000 kilos. The XC40 has extra cargo capability, 57.5 cubic ft versus 49 for the C40.

 

Volvo C40/XC40 RWD Powertrain and Drive Expertise

The brand new Single Motor Prolonged Vary C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge function a strong 185 kW (248 hp) everlasting magnet e-motor on the rear axle and an 82kWh battery pack. This mix of a extra energy-dense battery and environment friendly motor permits the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge to realize as much as 297 and 293 miles of vary, respectively.

A classy full-electric platform underpins the C40 and XC40 Recharge RWD

 

Charging energy has improved because the uprated 82 kWh battery pack permits for charging at a high charge of 200 kW DC. Charging the automotive from 10-80 % state-of-charge takes roughly 28 minutes.

Even with the only motor, each fashions supply very satisfying efficiency. Electrical automobiles supply silent thrust that’s infinitely addictive.

Driving throughout scenic Sweden was wonderful. Two nice automobiles in one of the scenically stunning locations I’ve ever visited. On the highways and byways, nice acceleration and a well-balanced chassis made the drive tremendous gratifying.

 

All-Wheel Drive Variants are Up to date

Along with driving the RWD variants, we additionally drove up to date AWD variants of the C40/XC40 Recharge that additionally profit from updates that present the pair with extra vary. The earlier set-up of two 150 kW electrical motors on each entrance and rear axles has been changed by our in-house developed 255 hp electrical motor on the rear axle and a brand new 147 hp asynchronous electrical motor on the entrance axle.  Because the asynchronous motor doesn’t require a continuing electrical cost, the Twin Motor conserves vitality by partaking the front-axle drive solely when it’s wanted – contributing to the enhancements in vary.

The Twin Motor variants of the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge retain the 78kWh battery pack with a high charging charge of 150 kW DC. This implies the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD can now drive as much as 254 miles, a 21-mile enhance over the earlier iteration. The vary of the C40 Recharge Twin Motor has improved as much as 257 miles from 226 miles (mixed EPA cycle).

Exterior updates additionally assist contribute to effectivity positive aspects. For instance, a brand new 19-inch alloy wheel for each C40 and XC40 Recharge not solely boosts the general look of the fashions, but it surely additionally helps to scale back drag by its aerodynamic design.

 

Mannequin Drive Vary (EPA estimated)
C40 Recharge Single Motor RWD 297 miles
C40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD 257 miles
XC40 Recharge Single Motor RWD 293 miles
XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD 254 miles

 

See Additionally


Volvo C40 Guarantee/Service Data

Volvo’s “Handy Care” normal client bundle contains Put on Protection (4 years/40,000 miles), Manufacturing unit Scheduled Upkeep (additionally 4/40,000), Bumper-to-Bumper New Automobile Guarantee (4/50,000), and Excessive Voltage Drive Battery protection (8/100,000). The C40/XC40 Care Provide additionally comes with 250 kW of DC quick charging with Electrify America, an EV charging firm; and Electrify America’s Go + for one yr, which supplies you a kWh charge low cost on quick charging.

 

Extra EV Fashions to the Launch Quickly

Volvo is on a full-speed march in direction of electrification of extra fashions, together with the tremendous luxe EX90 and the EX30, a small, absolutely electrical SUV for the trendy period, designed to be protected and have a smaller CO2 footprint than any Volvo automotive ever constructed.

It is going to even be tremendous “inexperienced,” with superior sustainable supplies used within the inside, for instance.  Recycled and renewable supplies for seats, dashboard and doorways can be used, together with supplies comparable to denim, flax, and a wool mix that additionally accommodates round 70 % recycled polyester.

Considerably, on the finish of the EX30’s lifespan, the automobile is designed to be recovered as much as 95 % by recycling the supplies and recovering vitality from what can’t be recovered.

All of those developments tie to Volvo’s plan to ship on being a climate-neutral firm by 2040, by a 40% minimize of general CO2 emissions per automotive from 2018 ranges.

Whereas in Sweden, we had the chance to go to Volvo’s Wind Tunnel Check Facility. There, we noticed effective aerodynamic tuning on the EX90. What a fantastic expertise!

 

 

 

Keep tuned!

 

 

 

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