Volvo Car South Africa has announced that local order books for the new fully electric C40 Recharge have officially opened.
Available online through the My Volvo website and offered exclusively in flagship Ultimate specification, the Swedish firm’s latest electric vehicle bears a starting price of R1 285 000. South Africa’s initial allocation is 50 units, with the first customer cars scheduled for delivery in June 2023.
The purchase price furthermore includes the Volvo Care package, which comprises a five-year maintenance plan and warranty (with the battery pack covered for eight years or 160 000 km), a home charging wallbox and a public charging cable
Thanks to its twin-motor configuration – one on the front axle and one on the rear axle – the C40 Recharge benefits from all-wheel-drive traction and impressive peak outputs of 300 kW and 660 Nm. With immediate access to its maximum torque figure, the 0-100 km/h sprint is dispatched in a mere 4.7 seconds, while a range of up to 444 km (according to the WLTP cycle) is possible thanks to the 78 kWh high-voltage lithium-ion battery pack.
Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, says the compact newcomer is not only powerful but surprisingly practical, too.
“The sleekly styled C40 Recharge’s low roofline and striking rear-end design contribute to its aerodynamic shape, yet it still offers the high seating position most Volvo drivers prefer. It also features a generous luggage capacity of 489 litres, accessed via the standard power-operated tailgate and supplemented by a handy 31-litre frunk,” said Maruszewski.
The C40 Recharge is the first Volvo model to be designed as pure electric only as well as the first to come with a completely leather-free interior, instead offering high-quality sustainable upholstery.
As its name suggests, the Ultimate trim level means the C40 Recharge is very well specified as standard, shipping with items such as electrically adjustable front seats, seat heating (both front and rear), a heated steering wheel, a panoramic sunroof, wireless smartphone charging and two-zone climate control (the latter incorporating Volvo’s special air-purifying system).
The fresh-faced electric vehicle also features the latest Android-powered infotainment system, run through a 9.0-inch touchscreen and complete with built-in Google apps and services, as well as a 12.3-inch digital driver display and a 13-speaker Harman Kardon premium sound system. Volvo’s comprehensive suite of driver-supporting safety features is likewise included.
The C40 Recharge is the latest step towards Volvo’s goal of half of its global sales volume comprising fully electric cars by 2025, with the remainder taking the form of hybrids. By 2030, the Swedish luxury firm plans for every new vehicle it sells to be completely electric, demonstrating its steadfast commitment to a zero-emission future.
