Volvo C40 Recharge Evaluate — 1st Impressions

As the primary “mainstream” automaker to decide to going to an all-electric lineup in 2017, when the company announced that all new vehicles introduced from 2019 onward would have an all-electric variant, Volvo was one of many leaders of the present EV transition. Presently, every Volvo sold in North America and Europe is either a hybrid or BEV model, and the corporate has an extended established historical past of main the cost relating to emissions controls and recycling, in addition to using sustainable and cruelty-free interiors.

With out additional ado, then, let’s get to the C40 Recharge — a mannequin that’s solely obtainable as a BEV.

Table of Contents

Delivery of the BEV

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo daughter/sister firm Polestar began the absolutely electrical journey of the model with the Polestar 2. Now the C40 and XC40 Recharge fashions have the customary lengthy supply occasions that each one nice BEVs share. The XC40 was #2 on the consolidated listing of greatest sellers in 10 main European nations in This autumn 2022, behind solely the Tesla Mannequin Y. The C40 was #10.

Specs:

Single Motor — 175/185kW and 420Nm rear-wheel drive.
Battery — 67kWh/78kWh with about 215/248.5 miles of vary.
Twin Motor — 300kW and 670Nm all-wheel drive.
Battery — 78kWh with about 240 miles of vary.
Charging — 150/200kW DC and 11kW AC.
Security: Euro NCAP ***** (5 stars)
Size * Width * Peak — 174.8” * 73.7” * 62.8”

The C40 is obtainable in three trim ranges and with three drivetrains. However not all mixtures are attainable. The bottom trim is just obtainable with a single motor, and the twin motor is just obtainable with the bigger battery.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

Volvo C40 Recharge, Fjord Blue

I’m wondering why there are two battery choices with so little distinction in capability. The advertising drones of Volvo can have a superbly good rationalization for this that I won’t be able to understand. I by no means understood advertising logic.

What’s going to make many individuals blissful: this Volvo does have a frunk!

The usual audio setup has 8 audio system. The elective Harman Kardon has 13 plus a subwoofer. Most essential with each: they’ve an OFF button.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

The lifecycle CO2 equal is 27 tons when charged with renewable power and 50 tons when utilizing the typical international power combine. The comparable XC40 ICE contributes 59 tons to the greenhouse layer over its lifetime. That the distinction will not be bigger is as a result of the electrical drivetrain with the battery will increase CO2 from manufacturing by 11 ton. (Recycling or reuse of the battery supplies might be not taken under consideration, though it needs to be.)

Cleansing up battery manufacturing — with, for instance, dry electrode processes — is without doubt one of the principal targets the trade is now going through.

For particulars on many extra choices and capabilities, please visit the dealer’s webpage.

Driving Machine

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

One-pedal driving. Allow us to not name it the “fuel” or “fuel pedal” any longer. Calling it the accelerator is just too lengthy a phrase that doesn’t absolutely cowl the perform. In trendy electrical vehicles, it’s the pace pedal — you management the pace with it. While you hit it, the automotive accelerates; once you launch it, the automotive decelerates. It could possibly decelerate utilizing the resistance of the motor or extra so by making use of the brakes.

I actually acquired enthusiastic about this within the Volvo C40. Volvo has developed one-pedal driving to close perfection. The corporate makes use of it as its main gross sales argument when placing new electrical drivers behind the wheel for a take a look at drive. And judging by Volvo’s success out there, this argument works for a lot of consumers.

Volvo C40 Recharge, in Fjord Blue. Picture courtesy of Volvo Automobiles.

In the course of the take a look at drive, I used to be so wowed by the one-pedal-driving system that I didn’t pay a lot consideration to regular take a look at drive parameters. However as I’ve stated earlier than, with the excessive torque, gearless instantaneous energy provide, and low middle of mass within the middle of the automotive, the designer should be a whole fool to screw up and EV. The driving traits are approach higher than in a comparable ICEV.

Evaluating to different electrical vehicles, all of them are higher than most drivers will ever understand. We’ll simply by no means attain the boundaries of the capabilities of the automotive.

There will be variations within the sound insolation, or within the dimming of the solar’s warmth by way of the panoramic roof. However that’s to all people’s particular person style.

Infotainment and Driving Help

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

I already swooned over the one-pedal driving. The opposite capabilities are as nice. The lane holding assist labored properly. The blind spot warning was there after I wanted it. I didn’t take a look at collision avoidance and emergency braking — I hope by no means to expertise how properly these methods work in trendy vehicles. These are assessments I go away to the NCAP testers.

What did shock me was the conduct of the cruise management. It’s absolutely adaptive stop-and-go cruise management. When approaching a purple site visitors mild with vehicles ready, it stopped, after which began driving once more on inexperienced. Incredible! However on the subsequent purple mild, it simply saved going. I used to be fouled by considering it reacted to site visitors lights, it was simply the stop-and-go perform of the cruise management that dealt with the earlier purple mild. However that was my dangerous, a mistake to not make once more.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

The sound system did have an OFF change — that’s all I care about. With the sound machine off, it was enjoyably quiet within the automotive. Simply as I prefer it.

It has the whole set of Google Maps and assistant options. I don’t know whether or not this is similar as, or greater than, Android Auto presents. For these hooked on their iPhone, it may change to Apple CarPlay.

The one of these capabilities that I used was the route planner. There have been no surprises — it simply knew the place I used to be, the place I needed to go, and the best way to get there.

Usability

The local weather management did what it was presupposed to do with out requiring any consideration. Nice.

The seats are most likely very protected. It’s a Volvo. However in addition they have glorious facet assist (i.e., excessive flanks beside your thighs). Getting out and in of the automotive over the excessive facet helps of the automotive did harm. I choose a flat seating airplane.

With the towing capability of 750kg unbraked and 1500kg/1800kg (twin motor) braked, it is rather succesful for greater than commuting and grocery getting. This automotive could also be among the best BEVs for household journeys and holidays.

There’s additionally a rumor {that a} smaller model is within the make. I might like to see a C30/CX30, and even higher a C20/CX20, seem as a candidate for my subsequent automotive.

Listed below are a number of extra pics I took of the absolutely electrical Volvo C40 Recharge:

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

Picture by Maarten Vinkhuyzen | CleanTechnica.

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