C40 Recharge sneaks in under $75k

VOLVO Car Australia has announced the pricing and specification details of its second all-electric model – the C40 Recharge.

Available later this year and priced from $74,990 (plus on-road costs) in single-motor guise, Volvo’s new compact SUV, which notably integrates augmented LED lighting technology in the Swedish marque’s signature Thor’s Hammer headlight design, will introduce the new face of Volvo battery-electric vehicles to the local market. 

The new model rides on Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform and offers a lower, sleeker design that the larger XC40 Recharge. 

A sportier, coupe-like roofline and stylish rear-end execution differentiate the C40 Recharge from both its larger electric stablemates and its conventionally powered siblings. The model’s relatively capacious interior features a high-set seating position, leather-free upholstery, and a range of model-specific colour and trim options.

Volvo says its C40 Recharge comes as standard with “one of the best infotainment systems on the market” – the 9.0-inch touchscreen array was jointly developed with Google and is based on the Android operating system providing customers with Google apps and built-in services, including Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Google Play Store. The system arrives with a four-year data subscription included as standard.

What’s more, the C40 Recharge is capable of receiving software updates over the air, meaning it will “continue to improve over time after it has left the factory”, Volvo says.

The list of safety equipment is extensive; it includes forward collision warning and mitigation, front and rear park assist, blind-spot monitoring, cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping aid, parking assistance, hill start assist and -descent control.

The C40 Recharge is also equipped with keyless entry, remote-opening and electrically operated tailgate, panoramic roof, auto-dimming mirrors, dual-zone climate control, heated front and rear seats, as well as power-folding head restraints.

Additionally, dual-motor “Twin” variants receive all-wheel drive, 20-inch alloy wheels, 360-degree camera technology, a Harman Kardon premium audio system, and Microtech & Textile upholstery.

Locally, the Volvo C40 Recharge will be available in single- and dual-motor formats. The former offers up to 434km of driving range, while the latter can travel up to 420km. Volvo specifications show the dual-motor variant provides 300kW and 660Nm; the all-wheel drive variant is claimed to accelerate from zero to 100km/h in only 4.7 seconds.

“The future of Volvo Cars is electric, and the C40 Recharge is the first model in Volvo's history designed as pure electric only,” said Volvo Car Australia managing director, Stephen Connor.

“It has the personality of the very popular XC40, but it's more dynamic with a sleeker profile. It's a very attractive car for people who are looking for the easy-to-live-with aspects of an SUV with more of a modern statement.

“The launch of Volvo C40 Recharge is another step along the way to Volvo's goal of making all-electric models account for half the cars we sell globally by 2025, as part of an overall plan to go completely electric by 2030,” Mr Connor added.

Both C40 Recharge variants come with Volvo's five-year unlimited kilometre warranty, an eight-year roadside assistance package, eight-year battery warranty and two-year interval servicing.

Deliveries of the Volvo C40 Recharge will commence in Q3, 2022.

2022 Volvo C40 Recharge pricing*: