Volvo XC40 Recharge India Launch: Price Expectation

Volvo India is all set to launch the new XC40 Recharge all-electric SUV tomorrow in our market. The launch comes a year after the Swedish brand first opened bookings for the SUV last year. The electric SUV was to arrive as a locally assembled model in 2021 itself but the launch was postponed given the semiconductor chip shortage. The Volvo XC40 Recharge will be available in a single variant and in terms of positioning, it is expected to sit between the new Kia EV6 and larger electric SUVs such as the Jaguar I-Pace, Audi e-tron and Mercedes EQC. We expect the new Volvo XC40 Recharge to be priced around Rs. 50 lakh, ex-showroom in our market.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is underpinned by the same CMA platform as its conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge isn't a ground-up new electric vehicle, with the SUV underpinned by the same CMA platform as its conventional internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling. In terms of styling, the biggest difference between the current XC40 and the new Recharge will be the front end that sports a new body coloured plastic cladding instead of the radiator grille. The standard XC40 sold in India is yet to receive a facelift while the Recharge is based on the facelifted model. The most notable changes are in the new front bumper that makes the car appear sleeker housing the newly-designed LED headlamps. The new headlamps are more angular as compared to the rectangular units of the standard XC40 and the signature Thor's hammer LED DRLs have been retained.

On the inside, you get to see a minimalistic approach in the cabin where a large touchscreen takes centre stage.

On the inside, you get to see a minimalistic approach in the cabin where a large touchscreen takes centre stage. A screen sists in the instrument binnacle as well and going with its environment friendly nature, Volvo doesn't offer leather upholstery. Instead, the cabin is finished with recycled materials, including the seat fabric and carpet upholstery. In terms of creature comforts, we're only getting one P8 variant that comes equipped with LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, air purifier, panoramic sunroof, powered front seats, driver seat memory function, 9.0-inch touchscreen with in-built Google Assistant, Harman Kardon sound system, wireless smartphone integration and wireless charging among others. In terms of safety, you will get seven airbags, antilock braking system (ABS), traction and stability control, a tyre pressure monitor system, 360-degree camera, hill descent control and a suit of Advanced Driver Aids. ADAS functions include adaptive cruise control, front and rear collision mitigation, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert among others.

Volvo does not offer drive modes but you get the option to control the steering feedback as per your liking.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge will be available with a twin-motor all-wheel drive (AWD) set-up as standard, and the two motors, with one on each axle. Total system output is rated at 402 bhp and 660 Nm of peak torque with Volvo claiming a 0-100 kph run in just 4.9 seconds. Volvo does not offer drive modes but you get the option to control the steering feedback as per your liking. Moreover, there's a one pedal mode too that sets regenerative braking to maximum. The 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge will come with an underfloor mounted 79 kWh battery pack as standard. Volvo claims a range of around 418 km on a full charge and says that the battery pack supports fast charging and can be recharged from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 28 minutes.