Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review

Although supported the acquainted sort of the XC40 crossover, Volvo’s 1st full eV shares its core mechanical layout with the polar star two. As launched in all-wheel-drive P8 type, it uses a combination of 201bhp electrical motors, one driving every shaft, for a combined system output of 402bhp. Power is drawn from a 78 kWh battery pack that may surrender to 260 miles (418.43 km) of vary beneath the WLTP protocol and is mounted beneath the ground. Exploitation 150kW DC quick charging, it’ll be doable to fill again the battery from empty to eightieth charge in forty minutes.

What is it?

As with the Audi E-Tron, the intention here has clearly been to supply consumers coming back from the company’s internal-combustion model’s well-known expertise. On the far side some terribly delicate badging, the sole obvious visual distinction from different XC40s is the Recharge P8’s lack a traditional grille, that has been replaced by a body-colored cowl. The cabin is equally acquainted, with a redesigned digital instrumentation pack that will away with the rev counter, however, an equivalent combination of area and trim that feels a lot sturdier than upmarket.

Volvo is proud that the Recharge has nearly the maximum amount boot area because the regular XC40 — 413 liters — with another 31-liter ‘frunk’ beneath the bonnet, though this is often largely crammed by the car’s charging cable.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review: Features

It’s definitely quick. Volvo claims a 4.9sec 0-62mph (99.78 km/h) time and, once totally unleashed, the Recharge’s instant urge makes it feel just as fast as that figure suggests. Even underneath laborious use, the electrical powertrain is close to silent, and though acceleration tails off at higher speeds, it won’t take abundant area to verify the presence of the 112mph (180.25 km/h) speed electrical circuit that Volvo currently fits all of its cars. Running at high-speed can clearly devour vary however, you’ll be entirely not surprised to listen to that flat-out progress don’t want an associate degree applicable thanks for driving the Recharge. Soft suspension settings wreak a nose-up angle underneath full throttle, with dive underneath laborious braking, and much of lean underneath larger cornering hundreds.

The potent powertrain has no problem in motivating the Recharge’s sizeable 2188 kg KERB weight, however, the impact of the mass is apparent once asking the automotive to vary direction, and additionally over something apart from swish Tarmac. Even tiny imperfections send a shimmying motion through the chassis, and also the passive dampers struggle to keep up order on rougher roads, We take a look at the car’s 20in wheels possibly not serving to matters. There’s one thing Bentley-ish regarding the mixture of such a lot of easy performance and such a mellow chassis, that isn’t a line I used to be expecting to jot down.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review: Performance

A one-pedal driving mode is often chosen, permitting forceful retardation once the accelerator is raised. It really proves a small amount keen for sleek operation in a stop/start traffic. Permitting the automotive to coast and regulation each regenerative and friction stopping through the treadle feels a lot of natural. Volvo’s good lane-following Pilot Assists controller remains wonderful thanks to taking care of cruising and congestion. The Recharge is additionally the debut vehicle for Volvo’s new Android-based flick system, with giant Associate in Nursing d sharply rendered icons for numerous apps, and an intuitive interface. However, despite Google’s mentality, the map app of our check automotive looked and worked less well than the simplest manufacturer systems, failing to obviously label major conurbations once zoomed out, and with minor roads try like black cracks on the high-definition screen. Volvo says it wasn’t a final verbal description that is nice as a result it still, desires work.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review: Price & availability

Deliveries can begin within the half-moon of next year with the launch specification within Great Britain being the totally loaded initial Edition. This price a weighty £59,985 and is just much valuable to be eligible for the government’s automobile grant. Cheaper versions can follow presently later, together with less powerful front-drive variants. Volvo is about to maneuver quickly into electrification: the corporate hopes that half its international sales are going to be full EVs as shortly as 2025. The Recharge P8 1st Edition may be a technically spectacular flagship for this era, however, it is also a chic one that provides a tier of performance overflow the car’s natural pace. The cheaper, slower versions can|which will|that may} follow will virtually actually create a lot of sense.

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review: Technical information

Model testedXC40 Recharge P8 First Edition
Price£59,985
Electric motor/s2 AC synchronous permanent magnet electric motors
Drive Battery78kWh (75kWh usable)
Power402bhp at 4350-13,900rpm
Torque487lb ft at 0-4350rpm, 0-62mp h4.9sec
Top speed112mph (governed)
Kerb weight(DIN)2188kg
Range249-260 miles
Max charge rate150kW

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021 UK review

Volvo XC40 Recharge P8 2021

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