THE Volvo XC40 Recharge it is not the first electrified XC40. The Volvo XC40 Hybrid Plug-in T5 Twin Engine was the first electrified version of the Swedish SUV, but if the presence of a heat engine is something you don't need, then there is finally the only version powered by electrons.
It is the first 100% electric Volvo and probably the most anticipated version of the XC40. Since its launch in 2018, it was announced as an SUV that would be made available in an all-electric version, alongside the thermal and plug-in hybrid versions.
Equipped with two electric motors (one at the front and one at the back) that guarantee all-wheel drive, it has 408 hp, 660 Nm of maximum torque and is able to complete the sprint from 0-100 km/h in a scant 4.9s.
It will be possible, through what Volvo called “One Pedal Drive”, to use only the accelerator for most of the “daily tasks” of this SUV. It is only necessary to lift your foot off the accelerator to immobilize the Volvo XC40 Recharge, as is the case, for example, with the Nissan Leaf.
The safety chapter, as it is known, is one of the most important for Volvo. The Volvo XC40 Recharge continues to offer driving assistance and safety systems such as Pilot Assist and BLIS, but also a remote with an anti-theft system, which prevents “friends of others” from intercepting the remote's radio signal.
Autonomy and loading times
Responsible for increasing the weight of the Volvo XC40 by 500 kg (it now weighs between 2150 and 2250 kg, depending on the level of equipment), the nominal capacity of the battery is 78 kWh.
This battery pack will allow you to travel 400 km on the WLTP cycle , with Volvo not moving forward if there will be other battery sizes in the future. These values are still subject to approval — they are based, according to Volvo, on a preliminary target.
When it comes to charging times, they depend on the equipment and electrical installation you use.
The Volvo XC40 is capable of charging 80% of the battery in 40 minutes, in a fast charger and up to 150 kW.
If you use the standard charging cable, connected to a household outlet, it will take approximately 30 to 55 hours , depending on the power you can pull from the network in your area of residence. In other words, every hour of charging, you are gaining between 7.5 to 14 km of autonomy.
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For shorter regular charges, Volvo recommends using a cable suitable for charging between 3.5 kW or 11 kW. With these cables the charging time drops drastically: they allow times from 18.5 hours to 5.5 hours, respectively. That is, an approximate autonomy that can go from 20 to 60 km for each hour of charging.
A Volvo Cars Wallbox is also available. This 11 kW 32A wallbox offers a charging time of approximately 5.5 hours (from empty to 80%) or an autonomy of 60 km for each hour of charging.
Through the Volvo on Call app, shipments can be scheduled. This is useful when you have a dynamic electricity tariff, allowing you to optimize, from a financial point of view, the charging periods.
Infotainment system with Google services
The infotainment system also took advantage of the arrival of the Volvo XC40 Recharge to update itself, an update that should be extended to all models of the Swedish brand.
We now have an Android system, with Google services, including Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store. Updates are performed over the air.
It also contains information and menus unique to the Volvo XC40 Recharge, such as which charging stations are closest.
Polestar had already put a system with the same Android base on its models, so it was a matter of time before it was also applied to Volvo models.
Even so, and taking into account the images disclosed, the menu layout should remain very similar to that existing in the models of the Swedish brand, differing from Polestar at this level.
Ground clearance was increased from 211mm to 175mm, courtesy of placing the batteries on the floor of the XC40 Recharge platform.
Cargo and towing capacity
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is capable of towing up to 1500 kg. The load capacity of the rear luggage compartment is 413 liters, which is lower than the version equipped with a heat engine (460 l) due to the space occupied by the batteries.
However, at the front, we now have an additional storage space, with a capacity of 31 l, which allows us to somehow compensate for this difference.
Prices and arrival in the Portuguese market
The Volvo XC40 Recharge is scheduled to start production in the second half of 2020, with sales starting only in selected markets.
In 2021 it arrives on the national market, but there is still no definitive date for commercialization.
With regard to prices, only estimates for the North American market are known, where they should be around 50 thousand dollars.