The sporty-looking Volvo C40 Recharge has touched down in South Africa and we got behind the wheel of the new battery-electric vehicle in Franschhoek, Western Cape.
The past few years have been tough on everyone, including the automotive industry, which struggled with manufacturing disruptions (due to the lack of semiconductors and other components), logistical challenges (such as congested ports), escalating raw-material prices and delayed model launches.
As a niche brand in our market, Volvo South Africa has had to weather the proverbial storm more than most, but fortunately, the worst is over and the brand is on the up. Volvo has a raft of new products earmarked for our country, such as the EX90. First up is a stylish coupe SUV, named the C40 Recharge.
Setting aside its Polestar sub-brand for a moment, Volvo’s first dedicated battery-electric vehicle (BEV) – the C40 Recharge – is positioned against the upcoming BMW iX1 and Mercedes-Benz EQA/EQB.
What is it?
The Volvo C40 Recharge is essentially a sportier-looking derivative of the accomplished XC40 premium compact crossover. Just as the Q3 Sportback is the more stylish sibling of the Audi Q3, Volvo’s debutant features a sloping roofline and tailgate instead of a traditional boxy rear end. The slippery silhouette is not just for show either; Volvo claims the optimised aerodynamics help to increase the BEV’s range.
Speaking of range, the C40 Recharge is equipped with a 78 kWh battery that’s claimed to offer a range of 444 km on the WLTP test. You can recharge it in a variety of ways; the easiest (but slowest) way is via a 3.5 kWh home plug. But, if you buy a C40 Recharge, Volvo will install a complimentary wall box that’s capable of 11 kWh (provided your home can supply 3-phase electricity) and it can deliver 50 to 60 km worth of power per hour, which means a full charge in around 8 hours. Finally, for those who live close to a 150 kWh DC charger, the C40 Recharge can be fast-charged from 10% to 80% in around 37 minutes.
The newcomer has a twin-motor setup that drives all 4 wheels and its numbers make for impressive reading. With 300 kW/660 Nm on tap, the Volvo has a claimed 0-100 kph time of just 4.7 seconds. Ha, so much for the safe, sensible and conservative Swedes… The C40 Recharge’s on-paper figures suggest that the Gothenburg-based brand’s first Volvo-branded BEV has a distinct performance slant to it.
Interior and features?
First impressions count and the C40 Recharge’s cabin is a lovely and minimalistic space to occupy. The materials and fit-and-finish befit a vehicle of this price tag, plus there is no shortage of smart packaging and design elements, such as leather-free seats – much of the cabin is made from recycled materials.
When you’re perched on the driver’s seat, you have a commanding view of your surroundings (it feels as if you’re at the ‘wheel of a much larger vehicle). There’s a beautiful backlit pattern on some of the interior panels (we’re told the design is based on a topographical map) and it looks fantastic in low light!
Volvo South Africa offers the C40 Recharge with its highest trim level, dubbed Ultimate. This means the model comes comprehensively equipped with luxury items such as a panoramic roof, heated seats, a heated steering wheel, a Harman Kardon audio system, and an electrically powered tailgate.
Meanwhile, the Volvo’s safety suite incorporates blind-spot monitoring, Pilot Assist, a lane-tracking system, City Safety and rear cross-traffic alert, to name but a few of its features.
There are very few extras to choose from; they’re limited to specific exterior finishes (R2 950 each), Pixel LED headlights (R24 200), and some textured interior trim pieces, which appear to be no-cost options.
If you weren’t already aware of it, the latest generation of Volvos no longer employs the Sensus Connect native infotainment and system management software; the brand has switched to Google Automotive, which is not to be confused with Android Auto. That means the C40 Recharge can receive over-the-air updates and utilise most of the Google services, including Maps and Google Assistant, plus it supports Spotify, Waze, YouTube music and more. If you’re an Apple user, fear not – CarPlay is standard too. Cleverly, Google Maps has been tweaked for the model to help you find the nearest charger very quickly.
What is the Volvo C40 Recharge like to drive?
The roads on our launch route were very wet, so we were thankful for the C40 Recharge’s confidence-instilling all-wheel drive. The model’s ease of use is refreshing; simply unlock the car, get in, select Drive or Reverse on the transmission lever and the car’s ready to go. There’s no start button or drive modes to sift through (unless you want to activate 1-pedal driving, which utilises maximum regenerative braking).
Considering its peak outputs of 300 kW and 600 Nm, the C40 Recharge was never going to be sluggish and it’s quite breathtaking how the Volvo shoots forward when you flatten its accelerator pedal. It zooms toward the horizon in an alarmingly calm manner, both from a standstill and when you want to overtake.
However, for all the fun that the C40 Recharge’s straight-line performance offers, the model does not corner with much verve, because it feels a bit top-heavy and the steering lacks weight and feeling. But that’s okay in our books – once the novelty of instantaneous acceleration has worn off, the average C40 Recharge owner is unlikely to want to hustle their vehicle along a mountain pass as if they’re a rally driver.
Instead, owners will probably appreciate the Volvo’s quiet and refined cabin and only occasionally stab the long pedal to scoot past slower traffic. Despite the car’s large (20-inch) alloy wheels, the ride quality never really faltered on some of the rougher sections of tarmac, although some smaller potholes and ruts did thump through to the cabin. It’s a pity there’s no option for a 19-inch wheel with a higher-profile tyre.
How much does the Volvo C40 Recharge cost in South Africa?
The Volvo C40 Recharge comes with a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan and warranty, with the battery pack covered for 8 years/160 000 km. Remember, a Volvo wall box charger is included with the purchase of the vehicle, along with a 7-metre auxiliary charging cable.
| Volvo C40 Recharge | R1 285 000 |
Summary
The current crop of vehicles from Volvo is certainly impressive, and we’d rate the XC40 Recharge as one of the better all-electric offerings in its segment based on price versus performance/range. Its sibling – the C40 Recharge – continues this, but with a bit more style, but it does demand some compromise…
As undeniably eye-catching as that coupe-SUV look is, it comes at the expense of rear passenger headroom; we suspect that taller occupants may feel a bit cramped or hemmed when seated in the back, which is something we’ll test when the C40 Recharge arrives at our office for a thorough evaluation.
Should you buy one? Well, if you have roughly R1.2 million to spend on a well-thought-out and liberally equipped all-electric premium compact crossover, you should put the C40 Recharge at the top of your shortlist. If you’re not overly enamoured with the sporty coupe-like styling, you can always opt for the conventional XC40 P8, which is a touch slower and a bit cheaper. We suspect stocks won’t last long.
