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Driving Report Volvo XC40 / C40 Recharge Pure Electric – Compact Power SUVs, Sharpened

For the 2024 model year, the Volvo XC40 and C40 will start with a completely renewed powertrain range that offers more power and, above all, more range. The centerpiece is a new, internally developed permanent magnet electric motor from Volvo, which is located on the rear axle and makes the Single Motor variants the first Volvo models with rear-wheel drive in over 25 years.

Appointment in and around Gothenburg - we were able to test the new powertrain in the XC40 and the C40. | Photo: Volvo
Appointment in and around Gothenburg - we were able to test the new powertrain in the XC40 and the C40. | Photo: Volvo
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Thomas Kanzler

We have three new drive variants to choose from. The entry-level model is the Single Motor version with 175 kW (238 hp), offering three percent more power than the previous front-wheel-drive counterpart and, in combination with the optimized 69-kWh high-voltage battery, enabling a range of up to 461 kilometers (according to the WLTP cycle). The Single Motor is also available in an Extended Range version with the larger 82-kWh battery and a range of up to 573 kilometers; here, the electric motor develops 185 kW (252 hp).

The all-wheel-drive variant also benefits from new drives and more range: Instead of the 150 kW (204 hp) electric motors on both axles, there is now a new 110 kW (150 hp) asynchronous electric motor at the front and the permanent-magnet electric motor developed by Volvo at the rear, which generates 190 kW (258 hp). With a system output of 300 kW (408 hp) and a torque of 670 Nm, the vehicle is more than amply powered. In combination with the 82-kWh battery, the range climbs to up to 538 kilometers.

Compact on the outside, spacious on the inside

Visually, the new model year is indistinguishable from the previous year's model from the outside – and why should it be? The modern, distinctive design has been well received: the fully electric XC40 and C40 saw an impressive 157 percent increase in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year's quarter.

Despite the universal platform, on which both combustion engines and electric vehicles are built, the compact SUV offers excellent space conditions. Passengers up to 1.95 meters tall have ample room in the front, and passengers in the rear also feel comfortably accommodated thanks to ample knee and headroom. In the future, all electric models will be leather-free in the interior. Whether seat upholstery, door panels, steering wheel, gear lever, or floor mats: Volvo uses synthetic materials – partially recycled – throughout the interior. The seats are standardly covered with the "Rivel Chine" textile. The dominant interior color is anthracite.

Optionally, a Connect upholstery in textile/Microtech with contrasting side bolsters is available. Also offered are seat covers made from Microtech or high-quality "Tailored Wool" wool blend. We particularly liked the light gray seats of the wool blend. They not only look very elegant but also feel significantly better than the synthetic leather seats. The well-loadable trunk of the XC40 holds between 452 and 1328 liters, while the C40 has a capacity of 413 to 1205 liters. Both have a front trunk (frunk) with a capacity of 31 liters under the front hood.

Comfortable and Sporty

Impressive acceleration in the all-wheel drive model. After all, in the top version, the engines send 110 kW and a torque of 250 Nm to the front wheels, and even 190 kW and 420 Nm to the rear wheels. The power delivery is almost linear: in just 4.7 seconds (for the C40) or 4.9 seconds (for the XC40), the Volvo 40 Recharge Twin completes the sprint from zero to 100 km/h. The high-voltage battery has a storage capacity of 82 kWh and enables a range of 504-538 kilometers (WLTP). The maximum speed is secured at 180 km/h. Volvo states a consumption value of 17.6 kWh/100 km for the XC40 all-wheel drive model, while the SUV coupe is said to be slightly more economical at 17.1-17.3 kWh. During our test drives around Gothenburg with the XC40 Twin Motor, we were significantly above this: the display showed us an average consumption of 21.8 kWh, which can certainly be attributed to our particularly sporty driving style.

The Single Motor variant is available in two versions, each with rear-wheel drive. The entry-level version has an electric motor with 175 kW (238 hp) and 420 Nm of torque and a 69 kWh lithium-ion battery. The vehicle accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 180 km/h. According to the WLTP cycle, the power consumption is 17.1 kWh per 100 kilometers, and the maximum range is 461 kilometers. In addition, Volvo offers the Single Motor in an Extended Range version with the larger battery (82 kWh); here, the electric motor produces 185 kW (252 hp) of power and 420 Nm of torque. While the driving performance remains unchanged, the maximum range is 573 kilometers. According to the WLTP cycle, the power consumption is 16.6 kWh per 100 km.

When switching to rear-wheel drive, we are more reasonable. The variant with the large battery and rear-wheel drive always has enough power, accelerates very quickly, and thanks to the switch to rear-wheel drive, is now free from drive influences in the steering compared to the front-wheel drive of the previous version. This time, we are fast but not as reckless as with the all-wheel drive 40er – and already a much better value of 15.4 kWh/100 km was displayed on the C40 Single Motor Extended Range's display.

In the course of switching from front to rear-wheel drive, the chassis components also receive a new tuning. This includes a new rear subframe, an improved distribution of roll stiffness, increased static camber, softer spring rates for more comfort, and updated suspension aids for higher ride quality and overall improved body control. With the 40er electric SUV, Volvo has achieved a skillful balance. We even actively seek out potholes to challenge the suspension. The tuning is comfortably accomplished by Volvo engineers without lacking firmness during sporty driving.

Google Infotainment and Charging Power up to 200 kW

The infotainment system developed together with Google, based on Android, works flawlessly and offers access to Google Maps and the Google Assistant voice assistant. The map display of the navigation is detailed, as expected from a home desktop or smartphone, and the charging planning has also been brought up to the latest standard. We commanded the Volvo by voice to navigate us from Gothenburg to Munich. The navigation system promptly presented the route with charging points, descriptions of each charging station, and charging duration.

An 11 kW on-board charger enables fast charging at home and on the go. At DC fast-charging stations, the charge level is said to be able to fill from ten to eighty percent in just 28 minutes (values for Twin Motor and Single Motor Extended Range with 200 kW charging power). The charging time for the Single Motor with 150 kW charging power is 34 minutes.

One-Pedal Driving and Sailing

One-Pedal Driving works flawlessly, and the Volvo can also coast excellently. It's just a pity that to switch, you first have to go into the vehicle menu, then scroll, and only then can you change the recuperation. However, Volvo engineers assure that in the production version, there will additionally be a system that automatically adjusts the recuperation to the driving situation – and it was not yet activated in our test vehicles. The lane-keeping assistant can adeptly keep the compact SUV in lane even on bad roads with only rudimentary lane markings and intervenes gently in an emergency.

For the new all-electric XC40 and C40, Volvo has revised the SUV's safety structure and, among other things, protected the battery with its own safety cage including a crumple zone. As the first Volvo model, the compact SUV features ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance System) with radar and ultrasonic sensors and multiple cameras. They form the basis for extensive safety systems and the foundation for future autonomous driving functions.

What does this mean?

Driving a Volvo should be as pleasant, intuitive, and simple as possible, explains a Volvo engineer. Comfort, space, and more than enough power – even in the rear-wheel-drive version – the Swedish (and Chinese) engineers have fulfilled their mission.

Translated automatically from German.
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