By Otsile Kadiege

As part of a new package of product updates, Volvo Cars announced that the all-electric C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge models will feature improved range (WLTP) and charging times compared with the outgoing model year. Furthermore, three new powertrains are offered on the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge. These include two rear-wheel-drive variants – the first time in 25 years that Volvo offers a rear-wheel-drive product – as well as a revised all-wheel-drive performance model.

Another first for Volvo Cars is the second-generation permanent magnet electric motor driving the rear axles for the fully-electric C40 and XC40 models which has been developed in-house.

Rear-wheel drive C40 and XC40 Recharge

The single motor with standard range is driven by a 175kW permanent magnet electric motor (e-motor), which provides a three per cent increase in power output over the outgoing 170kW single-motor front-wheel drive variant.

In the XC40 Recharge single motor, the same 69kWh battery capacity is carried over, but enhancements in cooling efficiency mean it can now deliver increased range and driving up to 460 kilometres according to the WLTP test cycle, compared with 425 kilometres before (WLTP).

The range of the C40 Recharge single motor meanwhile improves up to 476 kilometres from 438 kilometres (WLTP). A 10-80 per cent charge takes approximately 34 minutes using a 130kW DC public charger. If you feel the need for more power and range, you can also opt for a larger battery coupled with a more powerful, 185kW permanent magnet e-motor on the rear axle. This second new variant comes with an 82kWh battery pack which boosts range up to 515 kilometres for the XC40 Recharge single motor extended range and up to 533 kilometres (WLTP) for the C40 Recharge single motor extended range.

Here too, charging power has improved as the larger battery pack allows for charging at an updated top rate of 200kW DC (previously 150kW DC maximum), while a 10-80 per cent charge takes approximately 28 minutes.

All-wheel drive C40 and XC40 Recharge

The all-wheel drive variants also benefit from these updates. The previous set-up of two 150kW e-motors on the front and rear axles has been replaced by Volvo Cars’ in-house developed 183kW permanent magnet e-motor on the rear axle and a new 117kW asynchronous electric motor on the front axle.

This new configuration, paired with an 82kWh battery pack and overall efficiency improvements in battery cooling, means the XC40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD can now drive up to 500 kilometres on a single charge, a 62-kilometre boost over the previous iteration. The range of the C40 Recharge Twin Motor AWD has improved up to 507 kilometres from 451 kilometres (WLTP).

Exterior updates also help to improve efficiency where possible. For example, a new 19-inch alloy wheel for both XC40 and C40 Recharge not only boosts the overall look of the models, but it also helps to reduce drag through its aerodynamic design.