By Kostas Nikolakopoulos
We are driving the first Volvo designed from the ground up as an exclusively electric model, in the all-wheel-drive version with 408 horsepower.
Volvo takes the next significant step towards fully electrifying its range with the launch of the C40 Recharge. It’s the first car from the brand designed from the outset as electric, meaning – unlike the XC40 – we won’t see a version with an internal combustion engine.
The C40 Recharge is a compact crossover, almost the same length (4.43 meters) as the XC40. Its lower silhouette and roof slope give it a sportier appearance, with minimal compromise on headroom for rear passengers. Luggage space is similar, with a volume of 413 liters (there’s an additional small space of 31 liters under the front hood). While the C40 Recharge is manufactured at the Ghent factory, sharing the CMA platform with conventional models means it doesn’t offer the same spaciousness as other electric vehicles in its category.
Visually, the C40 Recharge is characterized by the new – common for Volvo’s electric models – grille, front pixel LED headlights that continuously “read” the road to avoid disturbing other drivers, the dual rear spoiler that improves autonomy by up to 4%, black glossy details, striking rear lights that extend high, and 20-inch aluminum wheels.
There’s no leather upholstery option in the electric crossover, only eco-friendly, synthetic materials, as part of Volvo’s measures for environmental protection. Like the XC40 Recharge, the dashboard is fully digital, with the multimedia system developed in collaboration with Google and very user-friendly for those accustomed to Android smartphones. There’s no indication on the instrument panel for the remaining range in kilometers but for the battery charge percentage. However, the driver can receive relevant information from the navigation system on the touchscreen.
The car we drove was the powerful version, with two electric motors (one on each axle) providing power to all wheels. The combined power is 408 horsepower, a figure that, combined with the 660 Nm of torque, gives whoever holds the steering wheel of the C40 Recharge the feeling of driving a sports car. Acceleration is impressive, whether from a standstill (0-100 km/h in 4.7 seconds) or on the move, making overtaking very quick and safe.
The 78 kWh battery provides a theoretical range of 552 km in mixed conditions, which varies depending on the use of the C40 Recharge in the city or on the highway. Through fast charging, it reaches from 10% to 80% of its energy in just 37 minutes, while with an 11 kW wallbox, it takes 8 hours for a 0-100% charge.
On the road, both on the pothole-filled urban network of Attica and in the corners, we appreciated the right weight of the steering wheel and the commendable balance achieved in the suspension operation. It absorbs road irregularities while providing confidence to the driver to maneuver and turn quickly. Like the XC40 Recharge, the C40 is one of the most powerful and fastest electric cars currently available in the Greek market.
Now, the model is renamed as the EC40, for absolute consistency with all purely electric models in Volvo’s range, such as the new EX30 that has just been launched in our country and the new EX90, which is expected soon. The EC40 costs from €56,110 in its two-wheel-drive version with 238 horsepower and from €63,550 in the top-of-the-line all-wheel-drive version with 408 horsepower.
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