Volvo UK has announced that its C40 and XC40 Recharge electric models have received significant technical updates that have surpassed initial expectations, resulting in improvements in driving range and energy efficiency. The latest homologated performance figures for both models reveal an increase in the distance that can be covered on a single charge by up to 64 miles, with the C40 crossover now able to cover up to 342 miles and the XC40 SUV up to 334 miles. This translates to a significant improvement of up to 24% on the outgoing models.
The improvements in energy efficiency are also notable, with the most efficient versions of the C40 and XC40 now capable of traveling up to 3.7 miles per kWh. The enhancements that have made these impressive gains possible include a switch from front- to rear-wheel drive for the single-motor Recharge versions of both models, as well as the adoption of a second-generation permanent magnet electric motor. This new e-motor is more powerful than its predecessor, offering 238hp as opposed to 231hp, and it is the first e-motor to be developed in-house by Volvo.
Battery performance has also been enhanced, with improvements made to cooling efficiency resulting in greater capacity. The dual-motor C40 and XC40 Recharge Twin have seen an increase in battery capacity to a nominal 82kWh, up from 78kWh in the previous versions, while the C40 and XC40 Recharge Twin all-wheel-drive models now have a maximum charging rate of 200kW, allowing for faster recharging times.
These technical updates reflect Volvo’s commitment to providing customers with the best possible balance of performance and efficiency. Kristian Elvefors, Volvo Car UK Managing Director, commented that “these results are independent validation of the constant efforts we are making to deliver the best possible balance of performance and efficiency. In addition to being committed to offering a fully electric car line-up by 2030, we are also determined to develop and refine the technologies in our existing pure electric models to ensure our customers can benefit from real-world performance that meets their needs.”
The new and improved C40 and XC40 Recharge models demonstrate that Volvo is well on its way to meeting its goal of transitioning to a fully electric lineup by the end of the decade, while also setting a new standard for performance and efficiency in the electric vehicle market.
Comparative data – homologated WLTP driving range
- C40 Recharge – up to 297 miles (previously up to 272 miles)
- C40 Recharge Twin – up to 342 miles (previously up to 278 miles)
- XC40 Recharge – up to 290 miles (previously up to 264 miles)
- XC40 Recharge Twin – up to 334 miles (previously up to 270 miles)
Comparative data – efficiency
- C40 Recharge – up to 3.7 miles/kWh (previously up to 3.5 miles/kWh)
- C40 Recharge Twin – up to 3.5 miles/kWh (previously up to 3.1 miles/kWh)
- XC40 Recharge – up to 3.7 miles/kWh (previously up to 3.4 miles/kWh)
- XC40 Recharge Twin – up to 3.5 miles/kWh (previously up to 3.0 miles/kWh)
