Selwyn_Times: July 05, 2023

Wednesday July 5 2023 Selwyn Times 41
Volvo’s EV SUV– best of many worlds
MY FIRST evaluation drive was
in 1988. I remember it vividly – it
was a five-cylinder petrol-fuelled
Audi 90 and I picked it up from
the Archibalds showroom, one of
the city’s prestige dealerships.
Nearly 35 years later, my
last evaluation drive was also
presented to me from staff at
Archibalds, not an Audi but a
Volvo– a C40 Recharge – a fully
electric vehicle to be exact. How
times have changed.
The C40 Recharge is a difficult
vehicle to define. It’s most
certainly a crossover wagon, one
that has a coupe-type shape but
tall enough to be a sport utility
vehicle. But its main claim is
that of its propulsion – it has no
petrol engine, put simply it has
a motor over the front axle and
drives through the front wheels
only.
A point to note with the C40’s
driveline and platform is it shares
much componentry with that
of the Polestar 2 – Volvo has a
major interest in the Chinese
company. That will allow buyers
a choice, the prices are similar
at $85,900 (C40 Recharge) and
from $68,990 to $93,900 for the
Polestar 2, yet you can make the
decision of whether a sedan type
body structure or an SUV is right
for you. It is interesting to note
here the C40 Recharge won’t get
you any Government Clean Car
Programme rebate, it’s almost
$6k over the threshold and
there’s no bargaining with that.
Inside, the C40 Recharge has
immediate similarities with
Polestar as well, the large screen
graphics and interface are almost
identical. What’s more, there’s
the Google functions that work
like any computer, it’s easy and
it’s clever. Specification levels on
the Volvo are extensive and, of
course, you get all the clever safety
kit that Volvo has long been
revered for in all of its models.
Volvo has indicated its
intention to produce electric
models only by 2030 and with
Polestar’s input that would
seem quite achievable. The C40
Recharge is the first full EV out
of the blocks and it is a worthy
trendsetter. The driveline is up
to expectation and competes
well with any opposition. Volvo
claims 170kW of power and
330Nm of torque, both outputs
available instantaneously. That’s
where EVs come into their own,
they are dynamic and forceful.
Volvo also claims a 7.4sec
standstill to 100km/h time,
which is punchy and decisive.
TECHNOLOGY: The Volvo C40 is crammed full of kit that
will make for a memorable driving experience.
VOLVO C40 RECHARGE: At best possible usage, it will travel up to 438km on a single
charge.
Of course, if that’s not quick
enough for you, there is a higher
output Ultimate model at
$100,900, which cuts out
that time in 4.7sec but I don’t
know that I’d spend the extra
money just for the extra
performance.
And the C40 Recharge in
entry-level form still gets great
range. Depending on what range
assist function is selected you
can travel up to 438km on a
single charge, there’s a 69kWh
battery system sitting in the
platform of the car, and that is a
lot of capacity. When it’s running
low a 28min fast charge from a
designated port will take capacity
from 10 to 80 per cent. Bear in
mind with most electric vehicles
the manufacturers recommend
80 per cent as being full capacity,
in a bid to increase battery
longevity.
At my home I was surprised
how quickly the batteries
regenerated through domestic
supply, I was never at a point
when I was sweating to get
charge into the vehicle. What’s
more, the cable has good length
at 6m.
On the road the C40 Recharge
drives smoothly and is eerily
quiet. That’s no surprise, but
there’s even a lack of electronic
• Price – Volvo C40
Recharge, $85,900
• Dimensions – Length,
4440mm; width,
1873mm; height, 1591mm
• Configuration – Electrosynchronous
motor,
170kW, 330Nm, onespeed
automatic
• Performance –
0-100km/h, 7.4sec
sound, the whine and whirr of
some EVs completely shut out
through good sound proofing.
Riding on what I consider
to be the world’s best tyres –
Pirelli PZero – the 19in rubber
affords strong steering wheel
feedback and positive corner
turn-in. Powering out of a bend
will test grip levels on the inside
front wheel as the torque surge
kicks in, but I’d have to say the
handling qualities of the C40
Recharge are biased towards
dynamic.
It’s the little out of the box
ideas that I really liked in
the C40 Recharge. One in
particular is the textured map
of Gothenburg that is inlaid into
the dash panel in front of the
passenger seat. If you are ever in
Sweden it is something you could
relate to.
As mentioned, this is my
last motor vehicle evaluation.
Throughout the last 35 years I’ve
been on an incredible journey
(no pun intended), I’ve driven
many thousands of the latest
and greatest models and it’s
been an absolute thrill and an
experience I have never tired of
as I head into retirement from
the publishing industry.
I’ve seen the transition of
cars, station wagons and sports
models to sport utility vehicles,
utes and the introduction of
hybrids and electric vehicles. I’m
in awe of the way technology has
developed over the decades, and
I have the utmost admiration
for the manufacturers and
distributors that are constantly
evolving product to meet
consumer demands.
By way of a thank you, I’d
like to acknowledge all of
the feedback I’ve received;
motoring journalism is obviously
something that is well read,
respected and opinion-dividing.
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading
my columns as much as I have
enjoyed writing them. For those
who have asked me what is the
best vehicle for you, I also hope
I’ve steered you in the right
direction.
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