Volvo XC40 and C40 Recharge get more range, raised power
Volvo's entry-level EV gets a raft of efficiency tweaks that boost range and power
Range-topping dual-motor Recharge Twin to arrive in May with larger battery pushing range beyond 300 miles
Volvo has bolstered the line-ups of two of its electric SUVs for 2023, improving range, boosting efficiency and slightly increasing performance.
The headline change is the introduction of a new rear-wheel drive powertrain. Available for the Volvo XC40 Recharge and the Volvo C40 Recharge, the rear-wheel drive powertrain combines a 234bhp electric motor, which replaces the outgoing 228bhp front-wheel drive version.
As a result of improved cooling efficiency, Volvo says the two rear-wheel drive EVs benefit from improved range compared to the outgoing model. Despite retaining the same 69kWh battery, the XC40 Recharge is now capable of 286 miles of range, compared to 264 miles previously.
Entry-level C40 Recharge models gain a boost from 272 miles to 296 miles, and Volvo says it can charge from 10-80% in 34 minutes when using a 130kW fast charger.
The more powerful C40 Recharge with 248bhp on tap and a larger 82kWh battery is capable of 331 miles - an increase of 11 miles over the previous car - though this version will not be sold in the UK.
Changes have also come to the two model’s all-wheel drive variants. Previously powered by two 200bhp electric motors, all-wheel drive versions now combine a 245bhp unit mounted to the rear axle, and a less-powerful 156bhp motor at the front for a total of 401bhp.
The new powertrain, paired with an 82kWh battery means the XC40 Recharge twin-motor is now capable of up to 311 miles of range - a 39-mile increase - while the C40 Recharge twin-motor jumps up 35 miles to 315 miles on a single charge.
The update also includes a faster charging rate for the XC40 Recharge Twin of up to 200kW, slashing the 10-80% charging time by 10 minutes to 27 minutes. This matches the charging time of the smaller-battery standard models, which keep the same 150kW speed.
Production of the updated models, all now available to order, will begin in May for the Recharge Twin and the single-motor variant will arrive from the autumn.
News of the update comes several weeks after Volvo pulled the covers off its new EX90 electric flagship, which will arrive in 2024 with a 360-mile range and hefty BMW iX-rivalling £96,255 price.