Late last year Volvo released its first dedicated electric model in the form of the
C40 Recharge SUV. With coupe style body but emulating much from Volvo’s most
popular SUV, the XC40, which currently represents over 50 per cent of Volvo
sales. The C40 launched in two models, the entry model with single electric motor
and front drive at $75,990 and the dual motor all-wheel drive as tested, at $83,490.
The C40 Recharge mimics much that’s in the XC40 Recharge and frankly that
would be my choice over the more stylised C40 Recharge with its sloping coupe
style roof. I much admit I have never taken to the new breed of coupe style SUV’s
– they may offer a go faster look but for such a practical vehicle like an SUV why
limit second row headroom and usable load space, and the C40 Recharge does
just that. Range on the dual motor C40 Recharge with its larger 75kW/hour battery
is quoted at up to 450km, the dual motors offering 300kW of power, 660Nm of
torque, charging time on my 11kW home charger took around 8 hours. The drive
experience very rewarding, smooth, fast, 0-100 in just 4.7 seconds, the quality
first class. More next segment. I’m David Berthon

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