Driving Volvo’s C40 Recharge, the coupe style all-electric SUV released late last
year in two models. I drove the dual electric motor all-wheel drive C40 Recharge
at $83,490. With 75kW/hour battery and a quoted range of 450km it offers a very
rewarding drive experience. I averaged 18.7kWh/100Km consumption around the
city, the drive fast, smooth and quiet with a cabin, that excels in roominess and
some of the best seats in the premium SUV class together with a 9-inch portrait
style touch screen and instrumentation. Despite the rather high pricing the
equipment list is extensive– ANCAP five-star safety plus a panoramic glass
sunroof, the dual motor gaining larger 20-inch alloy wheels, a premium Harden
Kardon sound system and a 360-degree camera while the centre infotainment
screen offers excellent Google services including mapping and voice activation.
Warranty: five-year/unlimited kilometre with the first three years, or 100,000 k’s of
servicing included. Battery warranty 8-years or 160,000km. One minus, the lack of
a spare wheel. Volvo has just upgraded powertrains and prices for the C40 and
XC40 models – the dual motor with larger 82kWh battery now has a range of
507Km, a welcome 56km improvement however the price has risen by $4,500.
I’m David Berthon

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