When the House & Lifestyle team were asked to come and test the new fully electric Volvo C40 we were all pretty excited, not only is this SUV extremely fast reaching 60mph in 4.7 seconds it also offers a range of 273 miles between charges and only takes 37 minutes to give you 192 miles of charge.
The C40 takes its technical basics from the XC40 Recharge, a model also 100% electric. However, the C40 Recharge is not just a copy of the XC40 Recharge, on the contrary, it differs from it in several ways. With this model, Volvo confirms and reinforces its plans for fully electric models. According to the manufacturer’s forecasts, electric vehicles should represent 50% of its product mix by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
Volvo returns with the letter C with its C40, a rather sporty SUV Coupé. It has a slim design with a small spoiler topping it off. The fixed panoramic roof also provides greater brightness and comfort for rear passengers. Interestingly, the headlights are changing, and not just in shape, as the triangular profile headlamps introduce new pixel optic technology for more precise distribution of the light beam. They adapt to other road users and to conditions for optimum efficiency.
In addition to its engine which makes it a future proofed ecological car, Volvo has taken this concept of respect for the environment a little further with the absence of leather upholstery inside the vehicle.
The C40 also integrates a multimedia and communication system based on the Android operating system, jointly developed with Google and integrated with services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store. Updates can also be done remotely.
The C40 we tested has two electric motors, the twin charging system, each based on an axle, making it an SUV with four-wheel drive, there is also a two-wheel drive option available. The power is 408 hp, enough to go from 0 to 60 mph in the space of 4.7 seconds. A good performance for a machine where its mass exceeds two tons. On the battery side, we find a set providing a capacity of 75 kWh, enough to offer the C40 a range of about 273 miles with a single charge. This is equivalent to Poole to Southampton and back four times. Or even Poole to Ringwood twelve times if you wanted to think more local!
We found driving the C40 Recharge refreshingly uncomplicated. There are no drive modes to choose from, just forward, neutral, and reverse. The low centre of gravity and the car’s massive and immediate torque mean it will shock most other cars on the road if necessary. On top of that our heated seats and heated steering wheel helped warm the cockles on a very damp and wintery day.
All in all we loved it, and it didn’t stop there. The showroom at Volvo Cars Poole is exceptional. All the latest models gleam in the brightly lit and comfortable lounge area. The top Volvo models invite you to sit inside for that new car smell and interior comfort. The staff are very friendly and were on hand to answer any questions you have so we recommend you pop down and have a look yourself. Don’t forget to flick through your latest issue of House & Lifestyle whilst you are there!
CONTACT
T. 01202 065 555
A. 582-602 Ringwood Road, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4LY
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