New Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 electric car revealed: price, specs and release date
October 23, 2020 by
The new Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 has been revealed as an electric alternative to the hugely popular Volvo XC40 SUV. Read on for full details.
- Volvo’s first electric car
- Two motors with 408hp combined
- 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds
- 249-mile range
- Compatible with 150kW chargers
- Initially costs from £53,155
The new Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 is the Swedish firm’s first electric SUV and is an alternative to the BMW iX3.
New Volvo XC40 Recharge motors and performance
The Volvo XC40 Recharge comes with two electric motors – one at the front and one at the back, which makes this SUV four-wheel drive. They produce 204hp each, giving the XC40 Recharge a total of 408hp and 660Nm of torque. That’s enough for a 0-62mph time of just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 112mph – as with all new Volvo models.
New Volvo XC40 Recharge range and charging
Volvo quotes a range of ‘more than’ 249 miles on the WLTP test cycle (the range you’ll get in normal driving will likely be less than that). You can charge the car using an 11kW AC charger or a 150kW DC fast charger. Volvo claims an 80% recharge is delivered in 40 minutes using the faster 150kW option.
The XC40 Recharge’s range is shorter than that of the BMW iX3 (which can manage 285 miles) but Volvo points out the average UK car travels around 30 miles a day. So, 249 miles is enough for eight days of driving – so long as you don’t do many impromptu road trips.
New Volvo XC40 Recharge interior
Under its boxy, SUV body, the XC40 shares plenty of bits with the new Polestar 2 electric car. Just like in the Polestar, the XC40 Recharge’s 78kWh battery is fitted into the floor and below the boot. This means the Recharge has 413 litres of boot space, while the standard XC40 comes with 460 litres. Without an engine up front, though, there’s also a 31-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet, so the overall difference is just 16 litres.
The only real difference you’ll spot between the XC40 and the new Recharge P8 model is its blanked-off front grille, but bigger changes have occurred inside. The XC40 Recharge comes with Volvo’s new Android-based infotainment system with Google Maps and Google Assistant built-in. The door linings and carpets are made from 97% recycled plastic bottles, adding to the Recharge’s green credentials.
Click on the green button below to check out the cars with the best vegan interior trim.
New Volvo XC40 Recharge price and release date
The XC40 Recharge will initially be offered in sporty R-Design specification, with prices starting at £53,155. That puts it above the £50,000 threshold to qualify for the UK government’s grant for plug-in cars, but cheaper versions that do qualify for this £3,000 grant discount will likely follow in due course. Cars above the threshold still receive a small road tax break. You can order an XC40 Recharge now, and deliveries should begin in early 2021.
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