Volvo is walking into the pure-electric space with a bang in Australia.
The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is targeted squarely at the Tesla Model 3 Long Range and Mercedes-Benz EQA 250, priced from $76,990 before on-road costs.
Just one well-specced model will be offered, with 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque from its dual-motor all-wheel drive system helping it hit 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.
Claimed range is north of 400km thanks to a 78kWh lithium-ion battery.
That makes it faster (by 4.0 seconds) to 100km/h and only 10km down on the range you’ll get from an identically-priced Mercedes-Benz EQA 250.
It’s also only 0.5 seconds slower than the $5000 more expensive Tesla Model 3 Long Range, although its range claim is up more than 200km on the XC40.
The new XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will join its plug-in hybrid brother, simply badged XC40 Recharge, in the third quarter of 2021.
Although it looks quite conventional, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has some significant differences to the regular XC40.
It debuts Volvo’s new Android Automotive-based infotainment system, and it has no start button. Just sit down, belt up, and go.
Pricing
- 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric: $76,990
Price excludes on-road costs
Motors
Power in the XC40 comes from two electric motors, each making 150kW of power.
Combined peak power is 300kW, combined peak torque is 660Nm, good for a 4.9-second sprint to 100km/h.
Efficiency
The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack, good for a claimed range of 418km.
An 80 per cent charge hooked up to a DC fast charger takes 40 minutes, Volvo says, thanks to its 150kW maximum charge speed.
The XC40 can charge at 11kW plugged into an AC fast charger.
Dimensions
The Volvo XC40 measures 4425mm long, 1910mm wide and 1652mm tall.
Luggage space is 460L, expanding to 1336L with the second row folded.
Servicing and Warranty
The XC40 Recharge will be backed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty like the wider Volvo range.
The first three years of servicing is included, including consumables like brake pads, discs, and wiper blades.
Safety
The Volvo XC40 has a rating of five stars from ANCAP based on testing conducted in 2018.
This testing was conducted on the petrol-powered XC40, however, not the pure-electric model.
All models received an adult occupant protection score of 97 per cent, child occupant protection score of 84 per cent, vulnerable road user protection score of 71 per cent and a safety assist score of 78 per cent.
All 2021 Volvo XC40 models come standard with autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with vulnerable road user detection, as well as lane-keeping assist, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and front, side, head and driver’s knee airbags.
Standard Equipment
- 20-inch alloy wheels
- Harman/Kardon premium sound system
- 9.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with DAB+ and satellite navigation
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Wireless phone charging
- Keyless entry and start
- Powered, hands-free tailgate
- Auto-dimming interior/exterior mirrors
- LED headlights
- Dual-zone climate control
- Leather-accented seats
- Heated front and rear seats