The future of Volvo is electric and the new crossover model, Volvo C40 Recharge, is the brand's first model to be available only as an electric car. Like the XC40, the C40 electric SUV is built on the scalable Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform.
Like the XC40, the C40 Recharge has two engines, one front and one rear, and thus has four-wheel drive as standard. And it keeps up with solid performance - the two engines give a total power of 408 hp and a torque of 660 Nm. In addition, it provides C40 Recharge performance such as 0-100 in 4.9 seconds and a potential top speed of 180 km / h. It is significantly more than most people need, so we do not rule out that there will eventually be models with two-wheel drive and less power at a substantially lower price than this launch model.
The new Volvo C40 Recharge delivers many of the features that customers want and has an exciting design. It is a high-rise crossover with good range, lots of power, four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, infotainment from Google and the possibility of towing.
The battery in the C40 is 78kWh (nominal), and Volvo has a range of over 420 kilometres based on the WLTP cycle.Â
Volvo has announced that from 2030 they will be a pure electric car brand. During the decade we are now in, they will gradually phase out cars with internal combustion engines, including hybrids from their global range.
According to Volvo, the decision was made on the basis of expectations that changed legislation, in addition to an expansion of the charging infrastructure, will increase consumers' acceptance of all-electric cars worldwide.
Volvo's investment in an all-electric future is happening at the same time as the company is strengthening its investment in online sales. Volvo will offer a more complete, attractive and transparent customer offering under the name Care by Volvo.
In future, all all-electric models will only be available via an online solution. With this investment, Volvo will facilitate that customers can either buy a car directly online themselves or get help to shop in the online solution at an authorized Volvo dealer.
Tesla has sold its cars without dealers since the dawn of time, and their strategy and success are probably part of the basis for Volvo's changed strategy. But Volvo is not saying goodbye to its dealerships.
At the same time as Volvo will invest heavily in its online sales platforms, the company will build stronger customer relationships with its dealers.
The dealers are still an essential part of the customer experience, and they will continue to be responsible for a large number of important services, such as sales guidance for customers, preparation and delivery of cars, as well as service and maintenance, it says in a press release.
In the coming years, Volvo will roll out more electric models. In 2025, the goal is for 50 % of global sales to consist of all-electric cars, while the rest are hybrids. By 2030, all vehicles will be fully electric.
There is no long-term future for cars with internal combustion engines. We will become an all-electric car manufacturer, and the transition will take place by 2030. The C40 Recharge represents the future of Volvo and shows which direction we are going. It is fully electric, will be sold online with valuable additional services and will be available for fast delivery. It has never been more attractive to drive a new Volvo.
On the rear of the C40 Recharge, you will find a completely new design, which springs from the lower roofline. The front carries the face Volvo will use on its electric cars and headlights with LED-based pixel technology.
On the inside, the C40 Recharge gives customers the high seating position that many Volvo customers prefer. The car comes with a selection of colour and decor options that are unique to the C40. The C40 is the first Volvo model to be sold without leather in seats or upholstery.
As in the Volvo XC40 Recharge, the C40 Recharge comes with Volvo Cars' new infotainment system developed together with Google and based on Android Automotive. The infotainment system gives drivers access to applications and services such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.
The C40 Recharge has a built-in SIM card and is delivered pre-connected to the internet. Volvo offers unlimited computer use for the use of the car's functions, and the C40 will be able to receive updates over-the-air (OTA), which means that the owner can update the car with the latest functionality without having to visit a workshop.
When customers buy the C40 online, the purchase will include a practical package with things like service, warranty, roadside assistance, as well as insurance.
