Volvo Cars India is all set to enter the electric vehicle market in India with the new Volvo XC40 Recharge today. Almost a year after the launch, the company listed the electric SUV on its India website for the first time as well as started pre-bookings for the SUV. The Volvo XC40 Recharge electric SUV was supposed to arrive in India in 2021, however the launch was postponed and will now come as a locally assembled model from the start. The Volvo XC40 Recharge will be available in a single variant and in terms of price, it is expected to sit between the new Kia EV6 and bigger electric SUVs like the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC.
Read also: Volvo XC40 Recharge Review: Taking a Charge
powertrain
At the heart of the Volvo XC40 Recharge is an electric motor drivetrain that develops a combined output from both axles of 405 bhp and 660 Nm of peak torque, transferring power to all wheels via a single-speed transmission, which is good enough. To accelerate from a standstill to 100 kmph in 4.9 seconds. The EV is also equipped with a 79 kWh battery, which translates to a range of around 400 km.
Volvo XC40 Recharge will be available in a single variant
Design and Platform
The XC40 Recharge is not a new electric vehicle, with the SUV sitting on the same CMA platform as its conventional internal combustion engine. In terms of styling, the biggest difference between the existing XC40 and the new recharge will be the front fascia. The standard XC40 on sale in India is still the pre-facelift model, while the Recharge launched today will be the new model on sale globally. The most notable changes are in the new front bumper which makes the car sleek and redesigned LED headlamps. The new headlamps are more angular than the rectangular units of the standard XC40. The trademark Thor’s Hammer LED DRLS is retained.
The new headlamps are more angular than the rectangular units of the standard XC40.
photo credit: Apoorva Choudhary
Cabin and Features
Open the doors and you’ll be treated to the traditional latest-gen Volvo interior design. The cleverly turned cabin follows a minimalist design theme with a large central touchscreen, the focus point of almost all controls usually placed in the center console. A screen also sits in the instrument binnacle. Additionally, with its eco-friendly nature, Volvo does not offer leather upholstery, as well as carpets made from recycled materials.
Open the doors and you’ll be treated to the traditional latest-gen Volvo interior design.
photo credit: Apoorva Choudhary
In terms of equipment, we are only getting a P8 variant and Volvo is not going back to equipment. Standard equipment includes LED headlamps, dual-zone climate control, air purifier, panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, driver seat memory function, 9.0-inch touchscreen with in-built Google Assistant, Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone integration and more Are included.