Volvo: C40 and XC40 electric vehicles are more efficient and have greater range
Volvo's electric 40-series models have not been particularly famous for their economy – and the range was at best average. This is now set to change. With a single battery charge, the new electric cars are expected to travel up to 60 kilometers further than before. And they also optionally revert to rear-wheel drive! In addition to all-wheel drive, Volvo now also has two rear-wheel-drive models (the last ones were the 940 and S/V 90 built until 1998) for the first time in 25 years. An internally developed second-generation permanent magnet electric motor from Volvo Cars makes its debut on the rear axle.
"These innovations are another significant step on our way to becoming a purely electric car manufacturer by 2030," says Javier Varela, Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Deputy CEO of Volvo Cars, and explains:
"More range and shorter charging times are key factors in attracting even more customers. These improvements make our all-electric models even more attractive."
Newly "wrapped": The fully electric self-developed rear-wheel drive
If you opt for the new rear-wheel drive, you can choose between two variants. The entry-level model with 175 kW (238 HP) Single Motor offers three percent more power than the previous front-wheel-drive counterpart. Combined with the 69-kWh high-voltage battery, which Volvo claims offers improved cooling efficiency, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric now travels up to 460 kilometers (according to the WLTP cycle) instead of the initial 425 kilometers. The range of the Volvo C40 Recharge with Single Motor climbs from 438 to 476 kilometers. This should make a real 300 kilometers achievable even on bad and cold days. At 150 kW fast-charging stations, the time to charge from ten to eighty percent is now around 27 minutes.
With the larger 82-kWh battery, Volvo combines a 185 kW (252 HP) electric motor on the rear axle. The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is expected to travel up to 515 kilometers, while the more aerodynamically subtle C40 will travel up to 533 kilometers. This means a real range of 350 kilometers plus x. The subsequent charging stop from ten to eighty percent also takes only around 27 minutes, as the larger battery can even be charged with up to 200 kW direct current.
All-wheel-drive models have also been improved
The all-wheel-drive variant also benefits from new drives and more range in the new model year, which will be produced from April 2023: 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 a 190 kW (258 HP) permanent magnet electric motor developed by Volvo at the rear. Combined with the 82-kWh battery and improved battery cooling, the range of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD increases by 62 kilometers to up to 500 kilometers. The Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD manages up to 507 instead of the previous 451 kilometers.
Aerodynamics have also been further optimized in detail
Improved efficiency and range are also aided by aerodynamic modifications to the exterior: The new 19-inch alloy wheels not only enhance the sporty-elegant appearance of the two Volvo electric cars but also reduce air resistance.
The base prices increase by just under 3,000 euros gross
The Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor with rear-wheel drive starts at prices from 47,500 euros (just under 39,916 euros net) in the Essential trim, the Extended Range variant also with Single Motor and rear-wheel drive starts in the Core trim level at prices from 53,000 euros (just under 44,538 euros net), and the variant with Twin Motor and all-wheel drive begins in the Plus trim at 59,950 euros (a good 50,378 euros net).
The Volvo C40 Recharge Single Motor with rear-wheel drive also starts at 47,500 euros (just under 39,916 euros net) in the Core trim and thus becomes just under 3,000 euros more expensive gross. The Extended Range variant (Single Motor and rear-wheel drive) starts in the Core trim level at prices from 54,450 euros (45,756.30 euros net), and the variant with Twin Motor and all-wheel drive begins in the Plus trim at 61,400 euros (a good 51,596 euros net).
What does this mean?
Volvo is making a radical shift: the 40 series is transitioning from front-wheel to rear-wheel drive, and the all-wheel drive models are again falling below the 400-horsepower mark because the models with newly developed in-house engines are now said to be noticeably more efficient. A point that was indeed worthy of criticism for the C40 and XC40. This is also likely to indicate that the six-year-old “entry-level Volvo” will probably remain in the lineup for several more years in typical brand fashion. Nice touch: the Swedes continue to leave rapid model changes to others.
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