Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AW: Impressions and experiences

In advance, it is still mentioned, my impressions are completely subjective and reflect only my own opinion. But think that the information, impressions and photos in this article can contribute to getting a first image from Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD.

As always applies; If, after reading the Test and Drive Report of the XC40 XC40 from Volvo from your side, ask questions, just report and I try to answer it. You like to send me your personal experiences with the electric car from Volvo, so that we share them with the other readers. About electric cars In general, you can inform yourself on this page.

Old acquaintance in a new robe. Or as a burner an electric car becomes..

In contrast to other manufacturers, Volvo does not set in its e-mobility strategy on independent, pure E models but wants to give the customer the choice of the drive. For the time being. From 2030, however, the Swedish car manufacturers want to put full of electric cars. Say, then vehicles with internal combustion engine, including hybrid, should no longer be offered. The change towards the pure e-car manufacturer is part of the company’s ambitious climate jan. So Volvo wants to significantly reduce the CO2 footprint of each model over the entire life cycle.

This development can be recognized at least in the approach. Because the drive choice is subtly pressed more and more in the direction of the vehicle with charging cable. A similar approach; probably not quite so consistent one knows from BMWS “The Power of Choice” or Peugeot, which have chosen a similar approach to itself. Here, however, we have now the pure e-variant of the XC40 from Volvo.

Since September 2021 there is now a “beginner variant” of the XC40. Because the fully electric Volvo XC40 Recharge has gotten growth: with a second drive version and three equipment lines, therefore, it comes. The new Volvo XC40 Recharge combines a 170 kW (231 hp) strong electric motor for the first time with front drive. In conjunction with a 70 kWh high-voltage battery, ranges of up to 400 kilometers are possible in the combined WLTP cycle. But back to my test stromer.

Reservation looks different. The Volvo XC40 Recharge A Massive Electric SUV

In the outer dimensions, the electric Volvo XC40 is almost completely identical to the other variants (burners and PHEV) of the compact SUV. In its dimension, the E-SUV is limited to one of 4.425 mm, a width 1.863 mm (without outside mirror) and 2.034 mm (with outside mirrors). The height of the stromer gives Volvo with 1.647 mm. The wheelbase of the fully electric SUV is 2.702 mm indicated, which leads to excellent space in the interior, how to understand the Swedish brand.

There is a difference between the fully electric variant and the combustion variant then but then. The ground clearance. This amounts to Pure Electric to 176 mm, with the plug-in and mild hybrid versions, this is indicated with 211 mm. In reverse, this leads to the streamer still sadden and dynamic on the road. Clear plus for the e-variant.

A lightweight is the XC40 Recharge with an empty weight of 2.188 kg not. What is strongly attributable to the lithium-ion battery with 78 kWh (gross) / 75 kWh capacity (net) – weight of 500 kg -. However, you also need this to leave the stromer up to 418 km to WLTP cycle. The battery of the electric SUV is manufactured as the stromer itself in gent, the necessary cells are from LG Chem or Catl. These are installed by Volvo themselves first to battery modules, then to the final batteries.

Let’s go a little bit on the differences to the combustion variant. Because despite the fact that the vehicles are quite similar, there is still one or the other difference. So the Pure Electric SUV relies on a disguised grille in body color and individual wheels in the 19- and 20-inch format. The non-fully electric variants rely on the well-known Volvo grille with waterfall motif or in R-design style. In addition, the “Recharge” label is revealed at the C-pillar and the high-gloss black rear diffuser that it is an electrified version of the XC40. Whereby alone does not close to it, whether solid electric or partially electrified.

In the side view, the Volvo XC40 presents Recharge Pure Electric with a clear wedge shape, which additionally emphasizes the dynamic orientation. The lines rising to the rear run over the backward shoulder portion and opens into a characteristic rear closing taillights with wide taillights. A wide C-pillar awarded additional stability to the stromer. Black plastic panels on the wheel runs and in the lower part of the doors convey SUV-typical robustness.

Further details such as LED headlights with “Thors-Hammer Lichtmotif”, vehicle roof in contrasting color, wide-opening panoramic glass sliding roof with lift function, as well as rear diffuser in high gloss black you can also discover even if you are a little more accurate with the outer design of the electricity. However, the eye-catcher is certainly the “Sage Green” exclusive for the Stromer, this makes the Recharge Pure Electric appear visually in an earthy and trendy appearance. The car color itself you can perceive well on the photos introduced to me. Looks live a tick more exciting.

We are still dedicated to the inner values of the Stromer. Nordic restraint supplemented by minimalist appearance allows the XC40 to convince in its appearance. With the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, Volvo sets new standards on operation and networking, as is already known by Perfomance subsidiary Polestar. The compact SUV is the first model of the Swedish premium car manufacturer, which has a jointly developed infotainment and connectivity system. Voice control is called the magic word.

Because with the SUV “Talking” is possible with the over-the-air updated electrician. As already the Polestar 2, the XC40 argue of Volvo on an infotainment system that runs with Android Automotive. The Google Assistant can then give all the commands as you may already know from your own smart home or at least from your own Android smartphone. There are not many differences. For example, the Google Assistant plays the own favorite spotlist from Spotify or is looking for the nearest restaurant from favorites. Finding goals with Google Maps In itself, there is no challenge anyway. Because you type in touch. Instead, it just says: “Hey Google! Drive me to Mannheim “. The proposed goal will confirm briefly, then you are already on the way.

Many switches, knobs and adjustment options are inspired by the XC40. Because too, Volvo deliberately relies on reduction. Volvo does not want to deal with as topics such as highlight settings, ambience lighting, etc … Which, according to their evaluations by the drivers in the past were hardly adapted. Instead, use a clear structure and menu guidance, which allows the e-auto driver to give overview. An absolute plus point for me, because I am convinced that too much choices are more likely to lead frustration and confusion than a satisfactory result.

What convinces me personally and is pleased is the fact that deliberately renounces tens of driving modes or recuperation levels. Have already noted here in the past that I decided at the beginning of the vehicle for appropriate attitude and then maintained it. Changes in the future, you should be necessary, but at least thanks to “over the air” update possible. So Volvo could customize the current recuperation stage system by updating similar to Polestar 2 (3-step recuperation). Comprehensible, the two stromases already share lithium-ion battery and electric motor.

Fully electric by everyday life with the Volvo XC40 Recharge

The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric makes it easy to feel in everyday life. Door on, without key control, boarding and starting. It’s that easy. Good, gear still needs to be inserted. But the key is renounced Volvo completely. At the beginning something unusual, but then simply a convincing approach, which directs the focus on what the stromer should offer. A convincing driving experience.

From the spot, despite its massive appearance and the not just small empty weight, nevertheless quite flatter. In 4.9 seconds, this completes the sprint from 0 to 100 km / h. But especially in the intermediate principles from 60 to 80 or 80 to 120 km / h still by sufficient propulsion. Especially in these areas, the e-SUV often moved when I was traveling with this. The classic sprint from 0 to 100 km / h remains already. And even if electricity costs range cost, I could not take it to me the 300 kW (408 hp) to demand a little and shoot the e-suv forward forward. A feeling that can be tabled one of the stomach.

But we are honestly decisive is the progress in everyday activity and here the E-SUV of Volvo also beats convincing. It is just only important to ensure that the electricity pedal is not pushed too much. Rather, you should play a little with the pedal. Then that’s the One-pedal driving, where the driver accelerates and delayed with the same pedal, in everyday life possible. Makes driving with the powerful stromer still a track of more comfortable, even if you have to adjust to a deceleration at the “pedal”, which leads through recuperation the brake energy back into the battery.

The one-pedal driving can also be switched off. This can certainly be recommended for highway rides and higher speeds. The vehicle is then not braked when releasing the accelerator pedal, but can roll out the cooling and optimally exploit the kinetic momentum.

For me rather less relevant, but often in demand of interested parties of e-mobility is the possibility of a trailer hitch. Make in the case of the XC40 DHe powerful electric drive and the effective four-wheel drive system the streamer to the ideal towing vehicle. Up to 1.500 kilograms can take the vehicle to the optional hook, which flaps half-electric flaps from the rear bumper.

Reach, consumption and charging options in view

Up to 418 kilometers range (WLTP cycle combined) should the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD be able to return. This was to prove this. However, before we devote ourselves to everyday reach or consumption, a few facts about our test car, clearly summarized.

• Four-wheel drive – two E-motors with 300 kW / 408 hp and 660 nm max. Torque

• Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.9 seconds

• Maximum speed of 180 km / h

• 78 kWh lithium ion battery (gross) // 75 kWh lithium-ion battery (net)

• Energy consumption at 100 km (weighted) 25.0- 23.8 kWh / 100 km

• Range (combined) 418 km to WLTP

• 0 g / km CO2 emissions, combined

From pure city trips, over overland- to motorway rides everything was included. Thus, I had the possibility to map a very good cross-section through the routes, which the electricians of Volvo probably also master under “normal events”. In the end stood around the 375 kilometers on the tacho, which I have covered. Nevertheless enough to get a first picture from the streamer.

Despite the fact that the Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD relies on an optional heat pump that uses the waste heat of the two electric motors and the battery and the thermal energy present in the environment to heat the interior, the 78 kWh battery will eventually be empty. While the heat pupe requires less battery power for the air conditioning of the interior, which contributes to increasing the range, but only in limited extent.

I’ve already received on differences from E-Auto-to burner design. Now Go to typical characteristics of the compact SUV. These design features are shown, for example, through the contrasting black lacquered roof, clear and precisely executed lines on bonnet and vehicle flanks as well as the wide C-pillar with characteristic bend.

By “Volvo trademark” like the spotlight graphic with “Thors Hammer” motif and the vertical taillights, an optical bridge is beaten to the larger model brothers of the Volvo 60s and 90s family. Whereby they are nevertheless slightly changed. Cleaning can be clarified for the XC40 – regardless of the drive type – that it brings a quantity as an energetic, lively and daring style to be significant.

It is the little things that make the difference. Whether you refer to the black plastic diaphragms on wheel runs and in the lower part of the doors, which are supposed to highlight a SUV-typical robustness. Or the fact that the Do not complete doors as usual with the side skirt, but with the lower edge of the body. This keeps the entry-level area clean and allows a particularly light entry and exit.

Also not unmentioned should one leave the wide-opening panoramic glass slide roof with lift function, which holds with the equipment variant Twin Pro in the XC40 entry. This gives the streamer in the interior in a very special way the feeling of space and spaciousness. Inside is a continuously adjustable sunscreen integrated. It consists of an exclusive perforated textile tissue and can be electrically operated. In the vehicle menu you can also set that the sun protection automatically closes when the vehicle at
an outdoor temperature of at least 25 degrees Celsius parked and completed. This should avoid heating in the interior.

Even the range of over 400 km to WLTP – which can probably only be achieved in ideal circumstances – looks sufficient with smears. Corresponding fast charging is thank you. But you should just adjust that the not straight wind-cutting, heavy electricity is quite out of the battery power when not exactly interacted with this.

Design, both in the exterior, as well as interior is of course a matter of taste. I personally like the Swedish, restrained art. Less is more. Applies from my point of view also for the considerations in terms of Puncto software, which Volvo has done. Consciously restricts the driver and thus focuses on the essentials. All in all, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is a wonderful electric car, but for me a few numbers felt too big in the daily activity of a rather quiet small town.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 AWD Pure Electric was free for this review for this review, for the period of two weeks, by Volvo. However, this has no influence on my written honest opinion written here.