Volvo has revealed its first dedicated electric vehicle, the 2022 C40 Recharge. Think of this as the XC40’s swoopy sibling featuring a fastback-style rear end and a lower roofline. The front fascia is also unique because the C40 sports new headlights with pixel-style lights, which will be the signature of Volvo EVs in the future.
Under the skin, the C40 uses the same CMA architecture as the XC40 and Polestar 2. Powering the C40 Recharge will be the same two electric motors and 78-kWh lithium-ion battery found in its platform mates. Total output is 402 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque. Volvo says the C40 Recharge should hit 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and travel up to 210 miles on a charge. Under the right conditions, the C40 Recharge can DC fast charge to 80 percent in 40 minutes.
The C40 will mark a number of firsts for Volvo. This vehicle will be the first in the Swedish brand’s lineup to offer a completely leather-free interior as part of its commitment to sustainability. The Android user interface first seen on the Polestar 2 will also be on the C40, making it the first Volvo vehicle to feature the system. That gives the car built-in Google maps, Google Play Store, Google Assistant, and several other apps within the Google ecosystem. All C40 Recharge models will also be able to receive over-the-air software updates, meaning the car can get improvements or software fixes without needing to go to a service center.
Quite possibly the most unique part of the Volvo C40 Recharge is how you purchase one. You can only buy the swoopy crossover online as part of Volvo’s move to minimize the complexity of the process and simplify the available offerings. The usual new car perks like road side assistance and a warranty will be included along with extras like insurance and home charging options. Production of the C40 Recharge will start at Volvo’s Ghent, Belgium facility where it also builds the XC40.
