First Drive of the Volvo’s pure electric C40 Recharge

First Drive of the Volvo’s pure electric C40 Recharge is the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only.

I am a big fan of the Volvo cars because of their Swedish minimalist design , safety features and technology. So, when I received an invitation to test drive the brand new Volvo C40 Recharge, their first pure electric car, I accepted.

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Should you buy a colourful car?

The Volvo C40 Recharge exterior is sleek and compact and is available in 9 colours such as Crystal white, Onyx Black (my favourite colour), Fusion Red and Fjord Blue.

Offering many of the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design, the C40 Recharge is based on the CMA platform and is the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only.

The low roofline and distinctive rear-end design contributes to the C40 Recharge’s aerodynamic shape, allowing it to travel further with each charge. It also offers the high seating position most Volvo drivers prefer.

My drive began at the Cape Town International airport, and I headed to the picturesque and sustainability focused Ludus Magnus in Franschhoek.

Being that it was my first time driving a pure electric car, I was pleasantly surprised by how gentle and quiet the engine is. It's like driving inside a cloud or bubble...it feels like floating on the road.

Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa Greg Maruszewski believes the C40 Recharge will prove popular with local buyers who are increasingly considering fully electric vehicles.

“Our initial allocations of both the XC40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge Twin were snapped up in double-quick time. We expect the new C40 Recharge to resonate just as strongly with South Africans looking to switch to battery-powered vehicles,” says Maruszewski.

By 2025, the Swedish automaker aims for half of its global sales volume to comprise fully electric cars, with the remainder taking the form of hybrids. By 2030, it plans for every single new car it sells to be pure electric, demonstrating its commitment to a zero-emission future.

Focused on sustainability, safety and comfort, here are some of my favourite features about the The Volvo C40 Recharge.

Behind the wheel

The car is easy to manoeuvre, handles well on the road and comes with Volvo’s driver-supporting safety features which puts one at ease. With the takeoff of 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds, the car earns itself a sports drive.

Engineered to deliver smooth take-offs and refined acceleration, this car makes both city and highway journeys more seamless.

The C40 Recharge offers both power and sustainability which means that rivers can enjoy the intuitiveness of one-pedal drive as well as the smoothness of rapid acceleration, all with zero tailpipe emissions.

Motor

The twin-motor version boasts an electric motor on each axle, powered by a 78 kWh (nominal output) lithium-ion battery pack offering a single-charge range of up to 451 km, according to the WLTP driving cycle. Peak outputs stand at a lofty 300 kW and 660 Nm, which facilitate a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 4.7 seconds.

Leather-Free interior

The Volvo C40 Recharge is also the first Volvo to come with a completely leather-free interior, and offers a range of high-quality sustainable upholsteries instead.

One option contains responsibly sourced and naturally renewable wool fibres, and the other uses a combination of suede textile (made from recycled plastic) and a special micro-tech material.

Various trim panels inside the vehicle are made partially from recycled plastic, while the carpet is manufactured using 100% recycled PET plastic bottles.

Overall, the vehicle’s interior design is inspired by the calming effects of nature, with a panoramic glass roof helping to enhance the airiness and the space of the cabin.

Clean Air

Two-zone climate control comes standard in the C40 Recharge, complete with Volvo’s advanced air purifier system that even allows you to monitor particle and pollen levels outside the vehicle.

The Android-powered 9.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system boasts built-in Google apps and services, including the handy voice-activated Google Assistant. Just say “Hey Google” to get started.

Audiophiles will appreciate the 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system (including an air-ventilated subwoofer), which is powered by a 600-watt digital amplifier.