New Delhi: Volvo has updated the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge EVs, giving them more efficiency and more power. The update also brings a change to the drivetrain option for the single-engine variants, with power now sent to the rear wheels only, which Volvo says helps with efficiency.
The higher-spec Recharge Twin variants, however, retain the twin-motor setup but have a larger 82kWh battery compared to the 78kWh previously.
Updated XC40, C40 Recharge: Power, Range
The range of the updated XC40 and C40 Recharge has increased by approximately 32 km in the single-engine configuration (from 476 km for the C40 and 460 km for the XC40). On the other hand, the Recharge Twin variants have a claimed range of 508km for the C40 and 502km for the XC40 – both 64km more than the outgoing models.
The update also brings with it faster charging by up to 200kW for the Recharge Twin variants, increasing the 10-80 percent charging time to just 10 minutes from the previous 27 minutes. This now matches the charging time of standard models with smaller batteries, which maintain the same 150kW speed.
Power has been increased across the range with standard variants now making 238bhp, up from the previous 231bhp.
The Recharge Twin variants now get two different electric motors – 163bhp at the front and 245bhp at the rear (previously 204bhp at the front and rear) – but keeps the same total output of 408bhp. The update comes just weeks after Volvo took the wraps off its new EX90 electric flagship, due to go on sale globally in 2024.
Volvo EV in India
Volvo has decided to phase out existing plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) in favor of EVs. For India, the automaker has announced that it intends to launch at least one electric car every year.
Volvo has already launched the XC40 Recharge here, and the automaker has confirmed that the next electric car for our market will be the C40 Recharge, which will be launched in 2023.
