Volvo’s C40 Recharge is a stable second stab at an EV | Engadget

Volvo has made no secret of its plans to go inexperienced by 2030, first unveiling the XC40 Recharge SUV in 2019, then partnering with the Geely company to develop its efficiency EV Polestar line. And come early subsequent 12 months, the XC can be joined by a sleeker, curvier sibling dubbed the C40 Recharge. The C stands for coupe.

Understand, the XC40 and C40 are very a lot the identical automobile, not less than underneath the hood. The two — together with the Polestar 2 — all share the identical Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform that Volvo plans to construct its future EV fleet on high of. As such, the C40 and XC40 supply actually similar efficiency profiles. They share a 78 kWh (75 kWh efficient) battery pack which produces 408 HP and 486 lb-ft of torque throughout all 4 wheels, giving each vehicles a 0-60 time of 4.7 seconds, a 112 mph high velocity and an estimated 210 miles of vary.

And, like its predecessor, the C40 Recharge will accomplish that at charges as much as 150kW on an L3 DC charger, enabling it to refill its energy cells from principally lifeless to 80 p.c capability in 40 minutes. The C40 Recharge also can settle for energy from Level 2 (220V) sources, requiring round 8 hours to totally cost. You can, technically, cost the C40 on a regular 110V outlet — Volvo consists of an adapter for doing so commonplace — however the firm is positioning that charging stage as extra of a trickle-charge, topping-off choice than one for really, totally refilling a totally depleted battery.

As a Volvo rep defined to Engadget on Wednesday, the corporate envisions drivers utilizing Level 3 DC quick charging stations situated alongside their commutes extra as fast recharge factors — stopping for 5-10 minutes at a time, grabbing a cup of espresso as they wait — whereas utilizing an in-home L2 charger to totally replenish the cost in a single day, like an drivable mobile phone.

On the skin, the C and XC are simply discernible. While the XC40 adheres to the traditional tenets of SUV styling, the C really stands round 3 inches shorter total and encompasses a broadly curved roofline that falls away into an upturned spoiler — ensuing within the coupe designation. I for one am smitten with the styling, particularly the Fjord Blue paint scheme, which mimics the colour of Sweden’s native waters, in addition to the all-glass roof.

The inside is much more spectacular. For one factor, you gained’t discover a speck of leather-based in there. The ground mats are produced from recycled water bottles, as are the startlingly lifelike faux-suede seats. “It’s a very practical, sustainable solution, trying to get us away from traditional luxuries,” Volvo’s design rep advised Engadget. “I think our future of luxury is more about the simplicity of something. Not, how many layers of wood and how many buttons you can have, it’s more about the experience.” One distinctive side of that have are the spotlight panels that run all through the C40 Recharge’s cabin, which depict topographical options of a Swedish nationwide park.

The cabin itself is kind of minimalist although you’ll discover a host of storage areas subtly positioned across the entrance seats with slick holders for all the pieces from journey mugs to bank cards. The dashboard consists of the front-and-center Android Auto infotainment system, a collection of bodily buttons and knobs controlling the audio playback, entrance and rear defrost, and hazards sit just under. While I personally am a fan of tactile controls, C40 drivers gained’t have a complete a lot use for them on account of the ever-present Android Assistant. You’ll be capable of management the stereo, make calls, ship texts, regulate the local weather controls and even activate the heated steering wheel. The Assistant’s knack for finding and evaluating charging stations alongside your route ought to show particularly useful to range-wary EV adopters, Volvo reps defined on Wednesday, by not solely alerting drivers to the place these stations are but in addition what sort of connections they provide and the standing of the automobile’s battery as soon as it arrives.

Volvo has but to formally announce its MSRP for the C40 Recharge so it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the way it may examine to its anticipated competitors, assuming the C40 finally ends up being priced roughly round $54,000 like its XC predecessor. For instance the Model Y Long Range begins from $52,490 and will get a 100 miles-plus extra distance utilizing an equivalently sized battery pack. The Audi This fall e-tron then again manages to attain the identical vary on a surprisingly tiny 52 kWh pack. To be honest although, its 0-60 is 9 seconds flat and so they’re just for sale in Europe for the second. Then you’ve obtained the ID.4 which begins at $40,000 and boasts 50 miles extra vary however, for my part not less than, would not supply fairly the identical stage of refinement that I noticed within the C40 Recharge.

The C40 is predicted to hit US streets within the first quarter of 2022 however it is not going to be accessible on the market by Volvo dealerships. You’ll be capable of see them on the dealership, positive, in addition to take a look at drive them, decide yours up from there and get it serviced there in the event you purchase one. However the acquisition course of itself occurs completely on-line. You can reserve one right this moment for $500 on the Volvo web site.

This is however the second step in Volvo’s efforts to transition to EVs. The firm plans to launch a brand new electrical mannequin yearly till 2025 as a part of its bigger aim of changing into utterly carbon impartial by 2040. Rumored to be coming subsequent: a fully-electric XC90 Recharge.