Volvo C40 Recharge – the brand's second pure electric vehicle with a leather-free interior

Beginning of the year, Volvo launched its second all-electric vehicle – the C40 Recharge. The brand moves forward on its path to a zero emission future. The C40 Recharge is the first one in Volvo’s history being designed as a pure electric vehicle only. In contrast to the XC40 Recharge, which we tested earlier this year, the C40 has a lower and sleeker design, to be exact a much sportier appearance.

The rear design is quite distinctive with its taillights harmonising the lower roofline. The front introduces a new face for all electric models including headlights with advanced pixel-technology.

The C40 comes with twin electric motors, one on the front and one on the rear axle bringing the C40 to a system output of 300 kW / 408 hp. The maximum torque is 680 Nm. This makes it possible to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds. The 78kWh battery can be charged from 10 to 80% within 40 minutes. The range is about 440 km (according to WLTP) but of course depends on various factors such as outdoor temperature, driving style etc.

Very practical is the trunk under the bonnet where you can store small items such as your bag or the charging utensils.

The crossover model is the first vehicle of Volvo to get a purely vegan interior. The carpets of each Volvo C40 are fully made of recycled PET plastic bottles. To say it in numbers: 71 bottles go into the manufacture of a carpet. There are two upholstery options, one that contains naturally renewable wool fibres and a second using a combination of suede textile, made of recycled plastic and micro-tech material.

Inside, the C40 Recharge provides customers with the high seating position, so SUV elements are being integrated.

The Fjord Blue colour of the C40, inspired by the deep inlets on the Scandinavian west coast, is not only to be found in the exterior, also in the interior. This makes the design very coherent. The large swathes of carpet that extends up from the floor to the sides of the tunnel console and the front doors are coloured in Fjord Blue.

All in all the interior is kept very minimal. The XC40 Recharge was the first model featuring the new Android infotainment system, jointly developed by Google. And so does the C40. You can make use of functions such as Google Maps, Google Assistant, third-party apps and services. We have to deduct some points for the infotainment as we were facing problems connecting our iPhone and thus our music. If you are placing value on a head-up display, we have to disappoint you. The C40 does not include it at all.

Good to know, the C40 Recharge is sold with a kind of full-service package. This not only includes warranty and service, even insurance and the option of charging. Production of the C40 has already started at the plant in Ghent, Belgium, alongside the XC40 Recharge. The C40 starts from 57.890,00 Euro or 699 Euro monthly.

Summarised: the C40 has good sense of space enhanced by the large panoramic glass roof. The car is comfortable to drive, has a good acceleration. Top speed is limited to 180k/m as with all new Volvo models. The range is solid (440 km WLTP), the view through the rear window is quite limited due to the design of the sloping roof. We really like the lower and sleeker design of the C40 as well as the approach towards sustainability by offering a leather-free interior only.

Pictures: Volvo for ellectric
Text: Britta Reineke