The C40 supports fast charging and a 150kW fast charger can juice up the battery pack from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 27 minutes
Volvo has unveiled the C40 Recharge in India. This can be best defined as the sportier and trendier version of the XC40 Recharge. It’s also the second EV by the carmaker from Sweden for the Indian market for which the bookings will open in August and deliveries are expected to start later in September. We tell you all on what to expect from the upcoming Volvo C40 Recharge Electric SUV.
Exteriors
The key style and design language used by Volvo on the C40 Recharge is a mix of SUV and Coupe like with a tastefully designed body profile. The key highlight of the C40 is its rear profile which comes with two spoilers. While the first one is body-coloured and mounted on the roof, the second one is done in gloss black and sticks out from the tailgate. The LED tail lamps are styled in typical Volvo fashion and are vertically placed with this SUV and they taper into the centre of the back door. The reverse light has been repositioned and we also liked the pixel effect that merges into the roof. This being an EV, the face of the C40 Recharge is closed-off and is flanked by the signature Thor LED headlamps also get a redesign and are slimmer than the ones on the XC40 Recharge. Fog lamps are placed inside the gloss black housing and the plastic cladding around the front bumpers, wheel arches, and doors lends it a SUV look. The windscreen is placed in a raked fashion while the rear quarter glass is also placed at an angle. The C40 comes with 19-inch dual-tone alloy wheels. In terms of space, along with the reduced 413 litres of rear boot space, it also gets a frunk which is good to hold 31 litres of luggage in the front under the bonnet. The Volvo C40 will be offered in six body colour options – Fjord Blue, Sage Green, Fusion Red, Cloud Blue, Onyx Black, and Crystal White Pearl.
Interiors
The C40 is based on the XC40 Recharge, it shares the overall cabin and dashboard layout with it. It features a minimalist interior layout with clean lines and a clutter-free dashboard. What’s different here from the XC40’s cabin is the backlit decor on the centre dashboard. Furthermore, Volvo has opted to use recycled and eco-friendly materials for seat upholstery using sustainable materials. And this interior can be had in Charcoal or Fjord themes. Not to mention, we also spotted some clever storage spaces in the cabin. These include a removable dustbin that can be tucked away in the centre console, a foldable hook that pops out from the glove box, and a small cavity near the rear seats to stow away the knick-knacks. The C40 Recharge not only looks cool but also has a feature-rich and practical cabin. Sitting at the centre of the dashboard is a nine-inch vertical touchscreen infotainment system that Volvo has co-developed with Google. As a result, customers have in-built Google apps such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Play Store. The C40 also gets a fully digital driver’s display along with a wireless charging pad, an air purifier, and a fixed panoramic glass roof. Other features to make it to the C40’s list include power adjustment for the driver seat, dual-zone climate control, a Harman Kardon sound system, and a 360-degree camera. Like most modern Volvos, this one too is armed with a myriad of ADAS features. These include adaptive cruise control, a 360-degree camera, a blind-spot monitor, and rear cross-traffic alert with auto brake function.
Battery–Motor–Specifications
While the global-spec C40 Recharge is offered in three variants, the India-spec is offered in a single all-wheel-drive (AWD) trim. It shares the CMA platform with the XC40 Recharge and sources its power from a 78kWh battery pack. The battery powers the dual electric motor setup (one on each axle) making this an AWD which has a combined output of 402bhp and 660Nm of peak torque. The C40 Recharge has not been ARAI tested yet, however, it has a claimed WLTP cycle of 530km. This driving range is significantly higher than XC40’s claim of 418km. Besides this, the C40 also looks quick on paper with a zero to 100kmph sprint time of 4.7 seconds. The C40 supports fast charging and a 150kW fast charger can juice up the battery pack from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 27 minutes.
Expected price & Competition Check
The C40 Recharge will be positioned above the outgoing XC40 Recharge and will be assembled locally in India. Presently, the XC40 Recharge has a price tag of Rs 56.90 lakh and the C40 is likely to demand a premium of Rs 1 to Rs.2 lakh over it. It will compete against other electric SUVs in the segment, such as the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6. Interestingly, the C40 Recharge is the only EV in the segment with a unique body style. The bookings for the C40 Recharge will commence in August followed by customer deliveries in September 2023.
