Volvo debuts sleek C40 Recharge

VOLVO has unveiled its second-ever dedicated electric vehicle (EV), one that looks to blend trendy compact SUV proportions with high-performance electric power and a swooping roofline to match.

Dubbed the C40 Recharge, the new model could be described as a coupe version of the existing XC40 Recharge in terms of its styling and will be built alongside the former at the brand’s Ghent production facilities in Belgium.

Underpinned by the modular CMA platform, the C40 Recharge is powered by a 78kWh battery with drive supplied two electric motors – one on each axle – and boasts a claimed range of up to 420km on the WLTP cycle.

Thanks to over-the-air software updates, Volvo says that claimed range will increase over time while the battery itself can reportedly be “fast charged to 80 per cent in about 40 minutes”.

No power outputs have been quoted yet, however the CMA platform and twin-drive powertrain used here is exactly the same one found under the skin of the Polestar 2 which produces some 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque.

It remains to be seen if the C40 Recharge will boast the same figures or if it will be watered down a little, but regardless, the Polestar boasts a claimed 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.7 seconds, meaning Volvo could potentially have an electric Audi SQ3 or Mercedes GLA35 rival on its hands.

With local timing, pricing and specification all yet to be detailed, Volvo has at least revealed some of the key global standard equipment highlights including the same Google co-developed infotainment system as found in the XC40 Recharge, completely leather-free interior and pixel-technology headlights.

The C40 Recharge will also be the first Volvo available exclusively online, effectively launching the car-maker’s new Care by Volvo sales model.

According to Volvo chief technology officer Henrik Green, the new EV is the flagbearer for the brand’s future direction.

“It is fully electric, offered online only with a convenient care package and will be available for quick delivery. Getting a new Volvo was never this attractive.”

As previously mentioned, the local timing for the C40 Recharge is yet to be confirmed while the XC40 Recharge, the brand’s first dedicated EV, is due to touch down later this year.

Both EVs will fall into the same segment – $40,000-plus small SUV – as the existing XC40, of which Volvo Australia has shifted 701 examples of so this year ending February, handing the brand a leading 19.7 per cent segment share, bested only by the Audi Q3 (738/20.7%) and Mercedes-Benz GLA (737/20.7%).