Volvo C40 Recharge is the second electric offering from the brand and this electric SUV is based on the XC40 Recharge. The XC40 Recharge is what kickstarted Volvo’s EV journey in India. This car adheres to a cool coupe body style, unlike its sibling XC40 Recharge. It also offers an improved driving range and is even more eco-friendly.
Volvo C40 Recharge Exterior
The C40 looks a lot more trendier and is high on style. It has a sloping roofline that merges with the completely redesigned posterior. It also gets a two-level spoiler with gloss black inserts that makes it look funky. It also features fancier vertical tail lamps and the tailgate is electrically operable. It gets LED headlamps with Thor-hammer graphics. THe headlamps also feature Pixel tech for improved night visibility. The car also gets 19-inch aero wheels and body coloured closed-off grille design.
Volvo C40 Recharge Interior
Being based on the same platform that the XC40 uses, it gets a similar dashboard layout. It also gets a central console design and seats which largely emulate those found on the XC40. The cabin is an all-black one and houses a centre-stacked nine-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This infotainment system is placed vertically like most Volvo’s. The blacklist decor of the dash and the door pads glow in the dar and make the car even more elegant. Besides the cabin quality, even the quality of materials is top-notch. It has a theme of sustainability as the seats are upholstered in vegan leather and the dashboard is made from recycled plastics and renewable wool fabrics. The floor of the Volvo C40 Recharge is made from 71 recycled plastic bottles, which spikes the sustainability quotient.
Volvo C40 Recharge Comfort
The front row seats of the Volvo C40 Recharge are very comfortable and spacious. There’s plenty of headroom on offer and legroom is adequate even for taller passengers. The seat is on the firmer side, but is well cushioned and supportive. This makes the ride relaxed and enjoyable. The drivers seat is power adjustable and gets 10-way power adjustability for both the base and the backrest. Even ingress and egress to the rear is convenient with plenty of legroom for adults having an average built. However, the rear seats are not as spacious as the front seats and the roofline is not the best for those above five foot eight inches. The upright backrest and with the option to recline may not be to everyone’s liking. There are small storage spaces all around and clever bits of engineering to make your journeys extra cozy. The C40 Recharge also gets a 31-litre frunk space.
Volvo C40 Recharge Safety
Safety is of chief concern for the Scandinavian company and this Volvo comes with a myriad of safety tech and an extensive list of ADAS suite. It works accurately and can be controlled from the nine-inch Android based unit, and what makes it better is it comes powered by Google and has built-in Google Assistant/voice commands and it is user friendly. It gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and an easily accessible charging pad.
Volvo C40 Recharge Drive
The international versions of the Volvo C-40 Recharge comes in RWD and AWD versions, but the locally assembled India spec model comes only in AWD. Power comes from a 78 kWh battery pack and the transmission consists of dual motors commissioned on each axle. The motor can churn 400 hp and a meaty torque of 660 Nm. It can do a 0-100 km/h stint in just 4.7 seconds and the electronically tapped top speed is 180 km/h.
This EV is super fast and you get a blow of speed when you are hard on the throttle. Although,not a sports car, it has a very engaging drive. It offers a unique blend of comfort and performance. The drive is very responsive and there is very little road noise inside the cabin. It aso gets a one-pedal mode that gives a healthy driving range in the city while battling congested traffic.
Volvo C40 Recharge Ride
This EV rides on MacPherson strut suspension in the front and a multi-link at the rear. Tuned for optimal comfort, this car offers the best of handling and undulations on the roads are dealt effortlessly. The sterling is precise and light and it does not get driving modes that change the steering feel. The infotainment system can be used to firm the steering and it is especially useful while driving around winding roads and slippery surfaces.
Volvo C40 Recharge Verdict
This Volvo electric SUV is a mix of style and performance. Safety is in every Volvo car’s DNA and with its sleek design it has a good road presence. Performance is fantastic and the 530 kms range makes it an excellent EV. It is a direct rival to the Ioniq 5 and EV6, and with prices of around 60 lakh it will certainly appeal to those who live for a greener future.