Volvo’s first production battery-electric
vehicle, the XC40 Recharge P8, has officially launched in the United Kingdom in
R-Design specification with a starting price of £ 53,155 (US$ 65,343). Shipping
will commence in early 2021 but it’s probably worth the wait as the
zero-emission SUV packs two electric motors, one on each axle, delivering a
combined output of 402 HP and enabling a 0-100
km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds.
Providing the juice to the electric motors
is a 78 kWh lithium-ion battery pack which supports 150 kW fast charging and
takes 40 minutes to charge up to 80 percent. The XC40 Recharge P8 boasts a
total driving range of more than 400 km in the WLTP cycle.
Compared to the ICE-powered XC40s, the
electric model sports a closed-off grille and ‘Recharge’ badging on the
C-pillars and tailgate. Integrating the battery pack into the floor has
resulted in a lower ground clearance. The boot space is also a bit reduced, but
since it doesn’t have an engine up front anymore, the frunk can eat up a couple
of small bags.
The XC40 Recharge is also equipped with a
new infotainment system. It runs the Android operating system and is fully
integrated with the company’s On Call digital connected services.
The Swedish automaker is expected to open
the order books for the electric XC40 in other European markets in the coming
weeks and months. The model should make its way to North America either before
the end of the year or in early 2021.
