After 25 years, the rear-wheel drive Volvo is back!

Attention Volvo enthusiasts, because after 25 years the rear-wheel drive models are coming back. Small disappointment: they are not modern interpretations of the popular 240s or 960s. The electric Recharge variants of the XC40 and C40 get the drive on the rear axle, a (much needed) longer range and shorter charging times.

Volvo is introducing three new powertrains for the electric versions of the XC40 and C40. That means two rear-wheel drive versions and a 4WD variant that can travel up to 62 kilometers on a full battery.

Since 1998 Volvo again with rear wheel drive

We’ll come back to that in a moment, because the most striking thing is that Volvo has been back on the road with rear-wheel drive since 1998. With the famous 960 no longer being delivered, the classic Volvo character is making a comeback.

Volvo XC40 single engine with 7 hp more

That starts with the 238hp Volvo XC40 single engine with rear-wheel drive, which is 7hp more than the outgoing front-wheel drive base model. It features a new permanent magnet synchronous motor developed by Volvo.

Range up to 476 kilometers

The battery pack of the entry-level Volvo XC40 has the same 67 kWh net capacity as before, but improved battery cooling has increased the WLTP range from 425 kilometers to 460 kilometers. The slimmer C40 benefits from the same update. Its range increased by 38 kilometers to a range of 476 kilometers with a full battery.

Charging time for both body styles on a 130kW fast charger is 34 minutes to go from 10% to 80% state of charge. You can obtain a maximum of 150 kW unchanged.

Prices start at 47,995 euros, making the XC40 exactly 1,000 euros more expensive than the base model that is being phased out. The online configurator indicates a delivery time of 8 to 12 months.

Fast charging up to 200 kW for extended range version

For more power and faster loading times, Volvo supplies the 252hp Single Motor Extended Range versions of the XC40 and C40 with rear-wheel drive. They have the net 78kWh battery pack previously only available on the 4WD versions. According to the WLTP cycle, the XC40 can be driven up to 515 kilometers. The C40 can drive a maximum of 533 kilometers.

With the right fast charger, this extended range now draws a maximum of 200 kW instead of 150 kW, so that charging from 10% to 80% takes 28 minutes. This version starts at 49,995 euros.

Crossing times of Volvo 240 and 960 back?

Whether the old and strange times of Volvo 240 and 960 will be revived with this new generation of rear-wheel drives is still questionable. We know from current models that the electronic security system cannot be switched off completely.

The inherently more playful handling of a rear-wheel drive may therefore not really be reflected in these versions. But traction will undoubtedly be better than front-wheel drive cars.

Volvo XC40 Twin engine with emphasis on the rear axle

Talk about good traction. Volvo has equipped the four-wheel drive models with new engines and put the balance more on the rear axle. The front axle is equipped with a 159 hp (cheaper) asynchronous motor, while the rear axle is powered by a 249 hp permanent magnet synchronous motor. This puts the maximum power back at 408 hp, but the focus is on the rear axle. Previously, it had the same 204 hp engine on each axle.

The XC40 Twin Motor AWD achieves a WLTP range of 500 kilometers from a net battery pack of 78 kWh, which is 62 kilometers more than its predecessor. The C40 gains 56 kilometers and has to reach 507 kilometers. You can get in from 58,495 euros. Nothing has changed in the look of the improved XC40 and C40. Except for new, aerodynamically shaped 19-inch alloy wheels.