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Who can still remember the first mobile phones or tube televisions? This was about 25 years ago; This was the last time Volvo offered a true rear-wheel drive model. Since then, especially in Switzerland, there is only front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Things change now with the big Stromer model upgrade: Volvo flips the driver from front to rear. Also with C40 Recharge Pure Electric.
It starts with the rear-wheel drive C40 with 238 hp (175 kW) and a battery with a capacity of 66 net kilowatt hours (kWh), which is enough for a maximum of 487 kilometers (WLTP cycle). The all-wheel drive system offers more power with 408 hp (300 kW) and the new battery with a net capacity of 79 kWh, good for up to a maximum range of 550 kilometers. The champion of the series is the version with 252 hp (185 kW) power and rear-wheel drive with a 79 kWh battery, which can travel 582 km on a single charge.
More range, more charging power
The capacity of the large battery of four kWh is, among other things, a result of the improved electrolyte and therefore higher energy density. At the same time, the newly developed permanent magnet synchronous motor on the rear axle enables energy to be used five percent more efficiently. Improved battery chemistry also provides higher charging power in the DC fast charger; now 200 kW instead of the previous 150 kW. This means the battery can be charged from ten percent to 80 percent in 28 minutes.
Tired of traveling with a single engine? Absolutely not, the performance is completely adequate. After 7.3 seconds, the Volvo C40 reaches the 100 km/h speed limit and can accelerate to 180 km/h; that’s generally the end of it at Volvo, only the Polestar subsidiary is allowed to go faster. And the Volvo doesn’t run out of air even when sprinting from 70 to 120 km/h. While theoretically 16.1 kWh/100 km should pass through the cables, in reality this value was 19.9 kWh/100 km in the test tour.
Comfort and absolute silence
Suspension adjustment is also successful. Despite its comfort, the body does not shake on uneven ground. It’s remarkable how quiet the interior is. However, when cornering you can almost feel the 2.1 tonne weight and the tendency to understeer. You won’t find a drive mode switch; only the steering wheel can be set to sport. Volvo is more generous when it comes to recuperation options: Auto is also available, in addition to one-pedal driving (i.e. accelerating and braking using only the accelerator pedal) and disabling energy regeneration entirely. The degree of deceleration depends on the distance to the vehicle in front.
The simple Scandinavian design is pleasing, although the wide bezel of the nine-inch touchscreen now looks a bit old-fashioned and reminiscent of previous generation TV screens. Volvo’s infotainment system is based on Google’s Android software, but the very small on-screen program tiles and some nested menu navigation are a bit annoying.
Slightly more limited space
Although there is sufficient space in the front, from a height of 1.80 meters, head room becomes significantly tighter in the rear compared to its classic SUV sibling, the XC40; the downside of the sleek, deep roofline. The small rear glass impairs rear visibility, so the good old over-the-shoulder view and camera are helpful when maneuvering. The load compartment also suffers: boot space in the C40 is between 413 and 1,205 liters (XC40: 452 to 1,328 litres).
Conclusion: Who is the C40 flat roof type suitable for? For couples with a passion for design and who don’t mind a little less space in the back and back. On long journeys, you can fold down the rear seat backrests and benefit from the smoother roof with a few extra kilometers of range. The long-distance version of the Volvo C40 starts at 59,000 francs.
Source: Blick
I’m Ella Sammie, author specializing in the Technology sector. I have been writing for 24 Instatnt News since 2020, and am passionate about staying up to date with the latest developments in this ever-changing industry.
