Volvo Cars has whipped the wraps off its new C40 Recharge, a fresh-faced fully electric model described as “the future” of the Swedish brand.
Of course, Volvo has just announced it plans to become a fully electric car brand by 2030, while also transitioning to an online-only sales strategy (the C40 Recharge will be available exclusively online).
The automaker says the new C40 Recharge – its second all-electric model after the SA-bound XC40 Recharge and likewise underpinned by the CMA platform – has “all the benefits of an SUV” but with a lower and sleeker design.
It employs twin electric motors (one on the front and one on the rear axle), powered by a 78 kWh battery that Volvo says can be fast-charged to 80 percent “in about 40 minutes”. It offers an “anticipated range” of around 420 km, which the company says is “expected to improve over time via over-the-air software updates”.
Inside, the C40 Recharge offers a high seating position and arrives as the first Volvo model to be “completely leather-free”. Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge ships with a new infotainment jointly developed with Google and based on the Android operating system. It features Google apps and built-in services, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. Interestingly, Volvo plans to offer unlimited data.
Production is due to start later in 2021, with the newcomer set to be built alongside the XC40 Recharge in Ghent, Belgium.
“The C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows where we are going,” said Henrik Green, chief technology officer. “It is fully electric, offered online only with a convenient care package and will be available for quick delivery. Getting a new Volvo was never this attractive.”
So, is it coming to South Africa? Well, Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car SA, said launch plans had “yet to be finalised”.
“While launch plans for the Volvo C40 Recharge in the South African market have yet to be finalised, we are delighted to bring our first all-electric car [the XC40 Recharge] to this country. It is a very important step in our plans to sell only pure electric cars by 2030,” Maruszewski said.
