Volvo C40 Recharge test: what is this electric SUV worth in Coupé version?

Like the majority of manufacturers, Volvo has begun a major overhaul of its range with the massive arrival of 100% electric models. If the German premium competition is leveling up with rather high-end models, Volvo prefers first to tackle more “general public” segments, in particular via the C segment of SUVs.

Volvo is no exception to the fashion for coupe SUVs, and when these are electric, it’s even better for the future. After the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the Scandinavian firm unveils its coupe version, the C40, which nevertheless manages to distinguish itself from its technical cousin. At least aesthetically speaking.

This model is part of the brand’s ambitious 100% electric plan, which plans to sell one out of two electric cars by 2025, and even 100% by 2030. Even if the offer is currently enough limited with the only XC40 and C40 within the range, the next new models will focus on all-electric.

Thus, the future XC60 and XC90 will be entitled to versions that will do without a heat engine, while sedans and station wagons will follow the same path.

Volvo C40 RefillTechnical sheet

Volvo C40 RefillDesign

As you can see from the photos, Volvo has not only been content to plan the roof of its XC40 to make it a C40, since the front end has changed slightly, with new triangular-shaped optics. The windshield bay of the C40 is also more inclined than that of the XC40, the roof is placed six centimeters lower, and the gently sloping roof drop leads us to an unprecedented rear which accentuates the sporty profile of the model.

And it’s not just the profile that is sporty on this C40 because, contrary to what its silhouette suggests, under the hood hide two electric motors for a combined power of 408 horsepower. For the rest, the two vehicles are substantially similar.

Habitability

Inside, it is, with few details, the same as on board an XC40 Recharge. The presentation is quite flattering, even if some materials are not as rewarding as in an Audi or a Mercedes. For example, lacquered plastics easily pick up dust and fingerprints. They are, on top of that, quite difficult to clean.

The environment is rather ergonomic with few physical controls, all the information being grouped together within the nine-inch touch screen which sits in the center. There isn’t even a button to turn on the car anymore, just get on board with the key, engage mode “D” on the gear selector, and drive young.

The dual-material seats (without animal leather) with white stitching are quite comfortable and offer fairly decent comfort. At the rear, despite the drop in the roof, headroom remains very correct. The trunk comes in at 418 liters, 34 liters less than that of the XC40. However, this remains quite correct for an electric car of its size. Under the hood, we find a small 31-litre trunk, very practical for housing the charging cables.

Volvo C40 RefillEmbedded technologies

As on board the Volvo XC40, we find the famous infotainment system operating under the Android universe: Android Automotive. This has also forced Volvo to review the ergonomics of its menus and sub-menus, and it is clear that it is much better and more readable. Also finished the on-board navigation system developed in-house, now place Google Maps, and there too it is only happiness.

Thanks to the “Ok Google” voice command, all you have to do is give the address of your choice to the car and it will take you there, taking into account traffic, tolls, and even stops at charging stations. Google Maps displays nearby terminals to make it easier for you to recharge.

Updates will be done via the Cloud and the car can “communicate” with other connected vehicles. For example, it can signal to other cars that the road is slippery if the traction control, ABS or ESP is triggered.

Volvo C40 RefillConduct

Under the hood, it’s a copy/paste of the XC40 Recharge. The C40 has two electric motors, each based on an axle, making it four-wheel drive. The advertised power is 408 horsepower with a torque of 660 Nm, enough to go from 0 to 100 km / h in the space of 4.9 seconds. A great performance for a machine whose mass is around 2.2 tonnes (including 500 kilos just for the batteries) for “only” 4.43 meters long. Top speed is limited to 180 km/h.

With its four-wheel drive and 50/50 weight distribution, traction is flawless, even in dynamic driving. On the first supports, we noted a slight body roll inherent to this kind of machine, but well controlled overall. Volvo did not consider it useful to equip its car with driving modes, and it is clear that it is rather a good idea, even if some would undoubtedly have preferred a suspension setting focused a little more on comfort.

There are only two things that can influence the behavior of the car: the consistency of the steering, which can be hardened or softened, and the activation of “one pedal” driving. which accentuates the regenerative braking to the maximum. And that’s more than enough. In this regard, regenerative braking is very effective and makes it possible to do without the brake pedal in 95% of cases and even take you to a complete stop.

Regarding autonomy and consumption, Volvo announces more than 400 kilometers (WLTP) with a single charge. During our test, we traveled more than 600 kilometers, of which a good half was on the highway at 130 km/h. The opportunity to note that the charging stations on the A13 linking Paris to Normandy are still just as rare, and those installed still as capricious, but also to highlight the electron appetite of our C40.

We recorded an average of 28.5 kWh/100 kilometers, which is quite high overall, even if, during our test, the conditions were not ideal with a temperature close to zero. In multi-purpose use, that is to say by oscillating between urban environment and secondary network, our consumption was around 21 kWh/100 kilometres. Again, that’s pretty high, but with 408 horsepower under the right pedal, that’s nothing out of the ordinary.

Volvo C40 RefillAutonomy, battery and charging

On the battery side, we find a set providing a net capacity of 75 kWh, enough to offer the C40 a range of approximately 441 kilometers on a single charge according to the WLTP mixed cycle. The battery is guaranteed for eight years or 160,000 kilometres.

The fast DC charger peaks at 150 kW, which is in the good average of the category. But the direct competition is doing better, however, since the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and Tesla Model Y have a charging capacity of 250 kW. Volvo is not yet part of the Ionity consortium, but the brand provides a card with a preferential rate on the network allowing you to top up at the rate of 35 euro cents per minute.

Volvo C40 RefillPrice

The starting price for a Volvo C40 starts from 46,800 euros for the new small single-engine 231 horsepower version. Thanks to a discount granted by dealers, the C40 can benefit from the 6000 euros of ecological bonus in its Start finish, and 2000 euros for the Plus and Ultimate finishes.

Basically, the car is rather well equipped and is equipped with automatic air conditioning, the Android Automotive system with services for 4 years, front and rear parking radars with reversing camera, LED headlights, 19-inch rims and even of the panoramic roof. Our trial version of 408 horsepower in the top-of-the-range version trades from 57,000 euros and up to 61,750 euros in the Ultimate finish.