Go further, charge quicker as Volvo announces updates to C40 and XC40 Recharge

General Guides  New Launches 

Moore's Law states that every two years the power of a microchip will double. The implication being somebody else will inevitably get something a bit better just after you've forked out your hard-earned cash, and there's absolutely nothing you can do about it. It hasn't really got anything to do with cars but it's still worth bearing in mind if you've recently leased a Volvo C40 or XC40 because they now do a bit more than they did when you chose yours.

Don't let this worry you too much, though. If you have recently leased one of them you've still got yourself a brilliant car. And if you're thinking of leasing one you're going to get an updated version that does a little bit more.

According to Volvo, two of the most frequently asked questions about the fully electric XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge are: “How far will it go on a single charge?” and “How long does it take to charge?”

Thanks to a very loose interpretation of Moore's Law – and some clever Swedish engineers - the answers are now “a bit further” and “a bit quicker”.

More range, quicker to charge

As part of a new package of updates, Volvo has improved both the range and charging time for the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge compared with the outgoing model. The same package of improvements has also seen the introduction of three new powertrain options for you to choose from. It also means that for the first time in 25 years Volvo is offering an option for rear-wheel drive.

The single motor variant with standard range is now driven by a 175kW electric motor. This provides a slight increase in power over the outgoing 170kW single-motor front-wheel drive versions using the same 69kWh battery. At the same time, improvements in battery cooling efficiency have actually increased the range by around 20 miles despite the extra power.

If you feel the need for more power and range, you can also opt for a larger battery coupled with a more powerful 185kW motor on the rear axle – this is the rear-wheel drive bit.

This second new variant is fitted with a bigger 82kWh battery pack, which boosts the range up to 320 miles for the XC40 Recharge and up to 331 miles for the C40 Recharge single motor extended range. The larger battery pack also allows for charging at up to 200kW (previously it was 150kW maximum charge rate), so a 10-80% charge now takes less than 30 minutes.

The all-wheel-drive versions also benefit from these new updates.

The previous set-up of two 150kW motors on the front and rear axles has been replaced with a 183kW motor on the rear axle and a new 117kW motor on the front axle. This updated configuration, paired with the 82kWh battery pack means the AWD XC40 Recharge can now drive up to 311 miles on a single charge, a 39-mile boost over the previous model.

The range of the C40 Recharge AWD has also improved. You can now get up to 315 miles on a full charge, up from 280 miles on the existing versions.

A few exterior updates have also helped to improve efficiency with new 19-inch alloy wheels for both models not only improving the overall look of the models, but also reducing drag through its clever aerodynamic design.

“These updates are another big step in our work towards becoming a fully electric car maker by 2030,” said Javier Varela, Chief Operating Officer and Deputy Chief Executive. “Range and charging times are key factors for more and more of our customers, and these improvements make our fully electric models even more attractive than they already were.”

So, if you've recently leased a Volvo C40 or XC40 Recharge there isn't much you can do about it now. On the plus side, you've still got a fantastically comfortable, stylish, and well-equipped car that we're sure you're delighted with. The only downside is that you'll need to plug it in a few miles sooner and for a few minutes longer.

If you haven't recently leased a Volvo C40 or XC40 Recharge, you really should because you'll be getting a fantastically comfortable, stylish, and well-equipped car that we're sure you'll be delighted with. You'll also get the pinnacle of Volvo technology and the added bonus of a few extra miles of range and slightly faster charging times…at least until the next update comes along in couple of years' time!

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