VOLVO has unveiled its second-ever devoted electrical automobile (EV), one that appears to mix fashionable compact SUV proportions with high-performance electrical energy and a swooping roofline to match.
Dubbed the C40 Recharge, the brand new mannequin may very well be described as a coupe model of the present XC40 Recharge when it comes to its styling and can be constructed alongside the previous on the model’s Ghent manufacturing amenities in Belgium.
Underpinned by the modular CMA platform, the C40 Recharge is powered by a 78kWh battery with drive equipped two electrical motors – one on every axle – and boasts a claimed vary of as much as 420km on the WLTP cycle.
Because of over-the-air software program updates, Volvo says that claimed vary will improve over time whereas the battery itself can reportedly be “quick charged to 80 per cent in about 40 minutes”.
No energy outputs have been quoted but, nevertheless the CMA platform and twin-drive powertrain used right here is precisely the identical one discovered beneath the pores and skin of the Polestar 2 which produces some 300kW of energy and 660Nm of torque.
It stays to be seen if the C40 Recharge will boast the identical figures or if it will likely be watered down just a little, however regardless, the Polestar boasts a claimed 0-100km/h dash time of 4.7 seconds, which means Volvo might doubtlessly have an electrical Audi SQ3 or Mercedes GLA35 rival on its arms.
With native timing, pricing and specification all but to be detailed, Volvo has not less than revealed a number of the key international normal tools highlights together with the identical Google co-developed infotainment system as discovered within the XC40 Recharge, fully leather-free inside and pixel-technology headlights.
The C40 Recharge can even be the primary Volvo accessible completely on-line, successfully launching the car-maker’s new Care by Volvo gross sales mannequin.
In accordance with Volvo chief expertise officer Henrik Inexperienced, the brand new EV is the flagbearer for the model’s future course.
“It’s totally electrical, provided on-line solely with a handy care package deal and can be accessible for fast supply. Getting a brand new Volvo was by no means this engaging.”
As beforehand talked about, the native timing for the C40 Recharge is but to be confirmed whereas the XC40 Recharge, the model’s first devoted EV, is because of contact down later this 12 months.
Each EVs will fall into the identical section – $40,000-plus small SUV – as the present XC40, of which Volvo Australia has shifted 701 examples of so this 12 months ending February, handing the model a number one 19.7 per cent section share, bested solely by the Audi Q3 (738/20.7%) and Mercedes-Benz GLA (737/20.7%).
