Volvo C40 Recharge In-Depth 2022 Review - A Smart, Classy and Desirable EV

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Volvo knows it needs more SUVs. And it needs more electric vehicles. This C40 Recharge delivers both in one package and shows clearly the direction the brand is heading in the future. There's a base front-driven model. And a state-of-the-art fully-electric all-wheel-drive powertrain that offers a WLTP-rated range of 274 miles on a single charge and an output of 408hp. The drawback is premium pricing but otherwise, a lot of boxes seem to have been ticked here.

TIMESTAMPS
00:00​​​​ Introduction
00:49 Background
03:15 Driving Experience
11:53 Design & Build
29:15 Market & Model Range
46:58 Cost of Ownership
58:09 Summary

Background

Given that Volvo's been making overt noises about full electrification for a decade now, it's something of a surprise to realise that this C40 Recharge EV introduces the company's very first exclusively electric model line. Especially so since the Swedish marque is telling us that it will only sell full-electric models from 2030 onwards.

As you might expect, the C40 borrows everything that matters from Volvo's very first all-electric model, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric. But clothes that powertrain with more unique styling and a more swept-back coupe-style silhouette. Think of the two models as something akin to what Audi already offers in this segment with its Q4 e-tron and Q4 Sportback e-tron SUVs and you'll be somewhere close to what Volvo is trying to do here.

Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 will be sold primarily online. And, as with that car, it rolls down the production lines of Volvo's Belgium factory in Ghent.

Driving Experience

There's a choice of EV powertrains. Most affordable is the single-motor variant, which powers the front wheels, comes with a 75kWh (usable) battery and offers a range of up to 269 miles. 62mph from rest takes 7.0s on the way to 99mph.

The alternative dual-motor version uses the same battery has the same twin motor AWD powertrain used by the Polestar2. That means you get a 203hp electric motor on each axle, giving a combined output of 408hp and a 0-62 mph time of 4.7s, with a range of up to 274 miles (adequate but not especially noteworthy amongst rivals in this segment). There's a top speed limited to 112mph. At least the decent ride quality of the XC40 should be carried forward here as the C40 sits on the same MacPherson strut suspension set-up up-front, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear. As a driver, you get quite a commanding seating position.

In any C40, to get the claimed mileage, you'll need to engage what the Swedish maker calls 'One Pedal Drive', selectable from the 'Driving' menu provided on this centre-dash screen. This dramatically increases the regenerative braking effect when you come off the throttle, to the point where, as advertised, the brake pedal will hardly ever be needed. Other than that, no driving modes are provided, though there is a screen button to firm up the steering.

Design and Build

Though the C40 is created from the building blocks of its XC40 showroom stablemate, Volvo wanted to add in some extra athleticism and lightness to the silhouette, as well as some appealing extra details. So there's a sleek profile and a set of emblematic segmented vertical rear lights. Up-front, the signature Thor's hammer headlights are augmented with neat pixel LEDs which automatically adjust to light conditions and switch on and off independently to optimise the light pattern. As usual with coupe-style SUVs, there are really big wheels.

Inside, the design is all about light and freedom of space. Which is why there's lots of glass and a big panoramic roof that enhances the airiness of the cabin. The interior features a signature 'Fjord Blue' colouring for the large swathes carpet that extend up from the floor to the sides of the centre console and the front doors.

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