Volvo has introduced new models of the fully electric Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo XC40 Recharge. The improvements include a longer range, faster charging time, and rear-wheel drive. This means that the new models, among other things, have a range of more than 500 kilometers.
The Volvo C40 Recharge and Volvo XC40 Recharge now have two new propulsion systems and an improved four-wheel drive type. Volvo may now offer rear-wheel drive vehicles for the first time in 25 years.
"Range and charging time are now significant elements for numerous of our customers, and these enhancements make our all-electric cars even more appealing than they already are," says Javier Varela, Volvo Cars' COO and Deputy Chief Executive.
"The changes are another significant step in our efforts to become an all-electric vehicle manufacturer by 2030," adds Javier Varela.
The first of the two new powertrains is powered by a 185 kW permanent magnet electric motor (e-motor) on the rear axle. This represents a 9 percent improvement over the previous front-wheel drive model with a 170 kW single engine.
Volvo also provides a larger battery in conjunction with the more powerful 185 kW permanent magnet e-motor on the rear axle for an increased range. The variation has an 82 kWh battery, which extends the range of the Volvo XC40 Recharge to 514 kilometers and the Volvo C40 Recharge to 532 kilometers (WLTP).
The more powerful 185 kW motor permits charging at a peak power of 200 kW DC, up from 150 kW DC previously. Under ideal conditions, a charge from 10% to 80% takes only around 28 minutes.
The upgraded Volvo XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD can travel up to 500 kilometers on a single charge, which is a 62-kilometer boost. At the same time, the Volvo C40 Recharge Twin Model AWD's range has increased from 451 kilometers to 507 kilometers (WLTP).
Volvo's own developed 190 kW e-motor with a permanent magnet on the rear axle and a new 110 kW asynchronous electric motor on the front axle has replaced the old two 150 kW e-motors on the front and rear axles in both variants. This also has an 82kWh battery and general battery cooling efficiency improvements.
The outside of the four-wheel drives has also been updated with new 19-inch alloy wheels. Not only do they improve the vehicle's overall appearance, but the aerodynamic design also helps reduce drag.
Volvo's 90 and 60 series plug-in hybrids have also been updated with a new built-in two-phase charger that assures faster charging times, nearly doubles the maximum charging capacity to 6.4 kW, and decreases charging time by 2 hours under optimal conditions.
