Automotive

Volvo steps toward climate neutral goals with 249-mile electric XC40

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Volvo XC40 Recharge in "glacier silver"
Volvo
The XC40 Recharge has a floor-integrated 78-kWh battery and dual-motor electric drive
Volvo
Volvo keeps the center of gravity low with the floor-mounted battery and the destination in reach with up to 249 miles of range
Volvo
The Recharge is based on Volvo's Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), which was developed with electrification in mind
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The two motors team for up to 408 hp
Volvo
The XC40 Recharge will be available in eight colors, including new "sage green"
Volvo
The loss of tailpipes allows for a cleaner rear bumper design
Volvo
Volvo XC40 Recharge in "glacier silver"
Volvo
The solid body-color grille is the main feature distinguishing the Recharge from the gas XC40
Volvo
Volvo held the official world premiere of the XC40 Recharge on Tuesday, after a serious teaser campaign
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A closer look at the new grille design
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No ICE up front frees up a storage frunk
Volvo
The electric XC40 becomes the first to wear the Recharge badge, which will also apply to plug-in hybrid models
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Volvo XC40 Recharge
Volvo
The XC40 can fast-charge to 80 percent in roughly 40 minutes
Volvo
Volvo plans to update its website in 2020 to ask each visitor whether he or she is interested in a Recharge plug-in model, helping to better advertise and highlight its electrified offerings
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Volvo XC40 Recharge
Volvo
The XC40 Recharge is a major step toward further growth of Volvo plug-in sales and its ultimate goal of becoming climate neutral
Volvo
The XC40 Recharge is the first to include the new ADAS driver-assistance suite
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Volvo XC40 Recharge
Volvo
The new XC40 Recharge joins the Volvo family
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The Volvo XC40 Recharge also introduces a new Android-powered infotainment system developed with Google
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Volvo has introduced its first fully electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge. The 402-hp crossover marks the debut of a greater Recharge lineup of battery electrics and plug-in hybrids and an era in which every customer will have to decide if they want their Volvo with a plug or without. Volvo intends for electrified models to represent 100 percent of global sales by 2025, something it'll help along by offering free electricity with every Recharge plug-in hybrid.

The XC40 Recharge packs a dual-motor all-wheel-drive with 402 hp, more than doubling the output of the 187-hp gas XC40 T4 models and offering a healthy boost over the 248-hp all-wheel-drive gas T5s. The Recharge can wander for up to 249 miles (400 km, WLTP) on a charge, after which the owner can expect to spend about 40 minutes fast-charging the 78-kWh battery to 80 percent. The e-crossover has an estimated 4.7-second 0-60 mph (96.5 km/h).

Volvo keeps the center of gravity low with the floor-mounted battery and the destination in reach with up to 249 miles of range
Volvo

Volvo gives its electric XC40 a revised look to match its new power source, dropping the now-unnecessary grille in favor of a body-color panel wearing the Volvo badge proudly. Immediately behind the new face is a handy front trunk.

"[The XC40's] bold, instantly recognizable design is now even sleeker and more modern in the all-electric version," explained Volvo Cars design chief Robin Page in teasing the car earlier this month. "Without the need for a grille, we have created an even cleaner and more modern face, while the lack of tailpipes does the same at the rear."

The redesigned front fascia also houses the sensor set for the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, a new Zenuity software-controlled suite that makes its debut on the Recharge. The system uses radar, cameras and ultrasonic sensors in supporting automated driving features, and its scalable nature means it can be grown and enhanced over time.

The XC40 can fast-charge to 80 percent in roughly 40 minutes
Volvo

The XC40 Recharge is still a Volvo, which means safety is paramount. An embedded extruded aluminum safety cage surrounds the floor-integrated battery to create a protective crumple zone, while the car's front and rear body structures are reinforced to distribute collision forces away from cabin occupants.

Inside, Volvo promises the all-new Android-based infotainment system offers drivers and passengers a more intuitive interface, a higher level of personalization and new Google services. Volvo says it's the first automaker to team with Google on such an in-vehicle Android system, and features will include built-in Google Maps, Google Assistant with voice control, and Google Play store. The system will also work with ADAS, supplying mapping details and information like speed limits. Over-the-air updates will keep it fresh.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge also introduces a new Android-powered infotainment system developed with Google
Volvo

The XC40 introduces the "Recharge" name, but it's already a family, as it will apply to both new and existing plug-in hybrids, as well as forthcoming battery electric vehicles. The new branding is part of Volvo's ambitious plan to become fully climate neutral by 2040, starting immediately by working to make Recharge models more than 20 percent of 2020 global sales. It will introduce a new all-electric vehicle every year for the next five years, electrifying its entire lineup by 2025, with global sales split half all-electric, half hybrid. Volvo will prod adoption along by increasing promotional efforts around electric powertrain tech, starting by offering a year of free electricity with every Recharge plug-in hybrid model.

In addition to slashing tailpipe emissions with an energized focus on plug-in powertrains, Volvo's near-term plans include cutting 25 percent of emissions related to its global supply chain, increasing the use of recycled plastics, and reducing 25 percent of emissions related to overall operations like manufacturing and logistics.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD in Sage Green
Volvo

Volvo's debut press pack is fairly short and sweet for a car of this significance, so we'll surely be reporting back on additional details as they're released, particularly in answering the ever-important questions of pricing and availability.

Source: Volvo

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2 comments
ljaques
Hey, those are sharp lookin' inside and out. Well done, Volvo. As with all Volvos, I'm sure this will be far too high priced for most anyone but a Congressperson to own. If they're smart and price it low, they'll sell millions.
ReservoirPup
It's been five days and just my comment. Poor job Volvo. Instead of advertising those 402 hp, that makes by itself no sense in a BEV (that's too much for a city/suburbs car whose main number everyone looks at is the range, well, those in the know look at the battery capacity). Hence the expected sales numbers are the same inspirational marketing for the naive. Why would I believe your safety claims?