Like Swedes themselves, who can be understated about accomplishments, these models don\u2019t flaunt what\u2019s new on the surface or advertise the magnitude of gains. But they achieve some key steps on the way to scaling up EVs for the brand. With just enough cultural context, I held back the smirk as engineers pointed out to Green Car Reports at a recent preview that the vehicles hadn\u2019t really changed that much: new motors, some minor changes to the battery pack, and a retune of the suspension.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-xc40-recharge-single-motor-powertrain_100884481_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge single-motor powertrain<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Translation: it\u2019s a bit of an engineering feat\u2014and perhaps an industry first\u2014considering that the CMA platform these models are built on favored front-wheel drive. But they sport no new badges or any of the vastly different trim, cladding, or staggered wheels other brands would be tempted to use to signal the shift. New 19-inch aero alloy wheels, a couple of new colors, and a few cabin trim differences sum up all the other differences for 2024 that a feature list is likely to give away.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The changes aren\u2019t about being seen. They\u2019re simply to create better-driving EVs. Given the central location of EVs\u2019 big battery packs and their more even weight distribution, combined with advances in traction and stability control, Volvo sees rear-wheel drive as superior in EVs versus front-wheel drive. It\u2019s made up its mind and isn\u2019t waiting for the next big model changeover to deliver it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
After driving both the single- and dual-motor versions of these models, I\u2019m convinced that most shoppers are going to find the rear-drive version just right\u2014if not better. It would be my own preference over the dual-motor version.<\/p>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-c40-recharge_100884490_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-c40-recharge_100884491_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-c40-recharge_100884482_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge range and efficiency<\/h2>\n
What helps these lineups make more sense from the get-go are the all-important numbers that shoppers will consider: a driving range now EPA-estimated at up to 297 miles for the C40 Recharge and 293 miles for the XC40 Recharge. That\u2019s for the single-motor rear-wheel-drive versions. Dual-motor all-wheel-drive versions now go 257 miles and 254 miles for the two models, respectively\u2014a gain of 31 miles for each.<\/p>\n
That 14% boost in range comes with no change to the 78-kwh (gross) battery pack\u2014although single-motor versions nearly reach 300 miles thanks in part to a few more usable kwh in their new 82-kwh pack (78 kwh usable, versus 75 kwh).\u00a0<\/p>\n
With a co-driver, I covered about 160 miles on Swedish roads, split nearly equally between a dual-motor C40 Recharge and a rear-drive XC40 Recharge. We averaged 3.4 miles per kwh with the dual-motor powertrain, then nearly 3.9 miles per kwh in the single-motor version. It wasn\u2019t an apples-to-apples comparison, though, as the latter portion of the route covered in the rear-drive version included slower-moving roads and more traffic, which would have otherwise likely improved efficiency. In either case, it indicated both versions are likely now able to return more than 250 miles on a charge in spirited (albeit not high-speed) driving.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The greater efficiency and range isn\u2019t from being rear-wheel drive, either, Volvo emphasizes, but from the electric propulsion development prowess it\u2019s been building\u00a0 in-house. These refreshed models represent the start of that.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Volvo](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-electric-motor-in-c40-and-xc40-recharge_100884509_l.jpg\" "\\"Volvo")
<\/p>\nVolvo electric motor in C40 and XC40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Volvo goes its own way with EV motors<\/h2>\n
A new 255-hp permanent-magnet (PSM) motor in back\u2014designed and engineered by Volvo in Sweden, and built in Sweden for the U.S. and Europe\u2014is the star of the powertrain. While Volvo used two identical permanent-magnet motors from a supplier in the outgoing 2023 and earlier versions of these vehicles, it has now shifted to a 147-hp asynchronous (induction) motor for the front wheels in dual-motor models. Volvo also moves to its own hardware and software controls for the motor system, whether single- or dual-motor.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Single-motor models make 248 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, and altogether, dual-motor versions make a combined 402 hp (same as the 2023 model) but produce a higher 494 lb-ft of torque, versus their predecessors\u2019 487 lb-ft. Because the induction motor doesn\u2019t require a charge just to spin along, the configuration allows dual-motor models to run as rear-wheel-drive vehicles the vast majority of the time, using the front unit only when it\u2019s needed for all-out performance or traction at the front wheels.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The motor choice may save Volvo significant money as it scales up its EVs and works toward a fully electric lineup by 2030. Off-the-shelf PSM motors from suppliers can be very expensive, and when one isn\u2019t very efficient, it\u2019s a double sting.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In acceleration, the new model doesn\u2019t feel much different. Volvo claims the same 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds in dual-motor form, while single-motor versions clock in at 6.9 seconds. Both motors remain geared quite tall, at 8.57:1, so there\u2019s some emphasis on higher-speed passing guts over pure off-the-line oomph. Simply put, you won\u2019t miss the extra punch of the dual-motor if you don\u2019t drive it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Volvo Recharge battery pack details<\/h2>\n
The 82-kwh pack looks virtually identical to the 78-kwh pack on the outside, but it\u2019s a different affair inside. The 78-kwh pack uses 27 modules, each with four groups of three LG pouch cells connected in parallel. In the 82-kwh pack, just four much larger CATL prismatic cells make up each module, with a third as many total cells for the pack. All said, the CATL cells also bring slight gains in energy density, while their cooling is a little more straightforward, according to Klas Olsson, the manager for these models\u2019 battery system design, who summed the new pack as \u201cdifferent but not that different.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Volvo did hint that all versions will get the 82-kwh pack eventually, but it said that for at least the first full year dual-motor versions will retain the 78-kwh pack as a matter of production capacity.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Volvo](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-battery-pack-and-chassis--c40-and-xc40-recharge_100884510_l.jpg\" "\\"Volvo")
<\/p>\nVolvo battery pack and chassis – C40 and XC40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Because of the battery pack difference, single-motor versions fast-charge a little quicker. They get from 10-80% in just 28 minutes and reach a peak 200 kw, while dual-motor versions do it in 34 minutes and reach a peak 150 kw.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Volvo really wanted journalists at the test drive to enjoy the one-pedal driving mode and firm steering setting, but I liked the experience better with both toggled off. The steering just feels more consistent in its more boosted form, although a middle level of regenerative braking would be a better experience for all.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-xc40-recharge_100884508_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-xc40-recharge_100884505_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/2024-volvo-xc40-recharge_100884500_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo XC40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
XC40 and C40 Recharge ride and handling<\/h2>\n
The rear-wheel-drive layout and other updates help these 2024 models carry themselves down the road with a little more sophistication. Changing up the rear motor required a new rear subframe, which gave engineers the opportunity to retune the suspension. Outgoing versions of these Recharge models can ride on the jittery side, but it\u2019s now been turned to be a little more luxurious without any loss of athleticism\u2014and the single-motor version steers and handles with a bit more neatness. In a route that took us through a series of curvy backroads, mostly at speeds of 30-55 mph, the new models were both a little more forgiving and more natural in quick transitions and less prone to carrying small impacts and coarse surfaces into the cabin. As before, they\u2019re remarkably tight from wind noise.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-c40-recharge-pure-electric_100884366_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-c40-recharge-pure-electric_100884369_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-c40-recharge-pure-electric_100884368_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
The cabin impresses as understated at first, but it wows in the textures, details, and seat comfort and support. Volvo got it right from the start, so it\u2019s good news nothing much changed. As in most other recent models from Volvo, it\u2019s also easy to find a comfortable driving position (and rear-seat comfort) for a wide range of body heights and sizes. Although the center console layout detracts a bit from space compared to rivals, at 6-foot-6 I found it easy to get in and out and be comfortable in both the C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge. The coupe-like C40 doesn\u2019t offer nearly as much cargo flexibility, though, and its design doesn\u2019t charm from all angles in quite the same way.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Prices are yet to come as these models\u2019 arrive later in the year. The 2023 XC40 Recharge models start at $54,645 and $56,395 respectively; look for 2024 single-motor versions to land closer to the $50,000 mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"2024](\"https:\/\/images.hgmsites.net\/lrg\/volvo-c40-recharge-pure-electric_100884407_l.jpg\" "\\"2024")
<\/p>\n2024 Volvo C40 Recharge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
With the pending arrival of the big EX90 electric SUV<\/a> early next year, and now an EX30 small SUV<\/a> on the way too, these refreshed 40-series models show that Volvo has its priorities in check\u2014with more range, more efficiency, and faster charging. And that you won\u2019t miss.\u00a0<\/p>\n —<\/em> It\u2019s easy to miss the most important thing about the refreshed 2024 XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge.\u00a0 These models, which I drove last week near Volvo\u2019s Gothenburg headquarters, make the rear wheels the primary drive wheels for the first time in a Volvo in decades. Yet they don\u2019t look much different than their 2023 equivalents. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":49479,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-49478","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-e-cars"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49478","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=49478"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/49478\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/49479"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=49478"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=49478"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=49478"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Volvo provided travel and lodging to bring you this firsthand review.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"