Volvo's newest SUV, the C40, is all electric and styled to please
Volvo's newest SUV, the C40, is all electric and styled to please  Volvo C40 Recharge Twin
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2022 Volvo C40 Recharge: Everything you need to know

Team Evo India

Volvo has showcased its first ever electric only vehicle, the new C40 Recharge. This significant step marks Volvo’s foray into electric vehicles, which the brand aims to achieve by the end of the decade. The C40 shares its platform with the XC40, but unlike the XC40 that gets an ICE powertrain, the C40 will get an electric-only drivetrain.

The Volvo C40 gets twin spoilers and a blackened roof which is highly raked to make it look sportier
The C40 gets Volvo's signature Thor's Hammer DRLs

Styling

The Volvo C40 is essentially a fastback version of the XC40, the brand’s smallest SUV and both are based on the CMA platform. From the front, the C40 is reminiscent of the XC40 Recharge, but it gets re-profiled bumpers. Like the Recharge, there is no grille since there is no real need for one. It features black cladding all around, obviously hinting at its SUV intentions. But the major difference compared to the XC40 is from the B-pillar onwards. The roofline is raked downwards, giving the C40 an Coupe-SUV stance. It gets distinct spoilers out back as well. The taillamps have the same design language as current Volvos, but it has been tweaked to suit the coupe-like rear end of the C40.

The Volvo C40 has black cladding for that tough SUV look

Drivetrain

The C40 features a 78kWh battery pack, which powers two electric motors -- one on the front axle, and one on the rear axle. This essentially gives the C40 all-wheel-drive. In terms of peak outputs, the C40’s dual motor set up produces 402bhp and 660Nm of torque. This gives it rather good performance as well, allowing it to go from 0-100kmph in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is rated at 180kmph, which is what Volvo has limited all its new cars to. It will have a WLTP range of 420km. The C40 can recharge its batteries to 80 per cent in as quickly as 40 minutes, when connected to a fast charger.

The Volvo C40 gets Volvo's famed portrait style infotainment screen with Android OS
The C40 gets a configurable digital instrument cluster
The Volvo C40 get a half-length glass roof

Interiors

Inside, the C40 gets a leather-free interior and the latest in connectivity. On the face of it, the C40’s infotainment screen looks rather similar to the current-gen Volvos, but it features an all-new software developed with Google and has apps like Google Maps, Google Assistant and Google Play Store. Over The Air updates means it will always be up to date and existing cars will have the ability to get new features.

Whether the C40 makes its way to India is yet to be seen, but it would be a great first car for Volvo to kick off its EV sales in the country. The C40 appeals to the current sentiment with its SUV stance, while looking different enough from the XC40 to command the premium it probably will.