Volvo has introduced a range of updates to its entire car line-up, including an exterior refresh for its fully electric XC40 Recharge along with the unveiling of a single electric motor variant of its pure electric C40 Recharge.
The award-winning Volvo XC40 Recharge, which is already on sale here in Australia, has received an exterior refresh which brings it a little more in line with the design of the C40 Recharge, which is expected to land on Australian shores in the second half of this year.
Boasting a new front bumper and a frameless grille plate sync the XC40 with the visuals of Volvo’s C40, while new triangular headlights maintaining the signature Thor’s Hammer style are augmented with pixel LED light technology, allowing them to automatically adapt to traffic in front without dazzling other drivers.
Additionally, those looking to buy the XC40 Recharge will also now be able to choose from premium leather-free upholstery options as well as new exterior colours and rims.
“As we move towards becoming a fully electric company, our design language follows,” said Robin Page, head of design at Volvo Cars.
“With the refreshed fully electric XC40, we continue to evolve its instantly recognisable design, creating a more modern face with a sleeker front and an even more integrated grille.”
Volvo Cars has also unveiled a new single electric motor variant of its pure electric C40 Recharge, providing a new entry-level option beneath the dual-motor option.
The new single motor variant, with power on the front wheels, will be powered by a 69kWh battery with an anticipated electric range of 434-kilometres (WLTP), and which can charge from 10% to 80% in around 32 minutes on a fast-charging system.
This compares well to the 78kWh battery in the dual-motor C40 variant which boasts WLTP range of 444-kilometres.
At the same time, Volvo announced that all new Volvo Cars models will be available through what the company is describing as “an updated offer concept, designed to make the online ordering process of Volvo cars easier and more convenient.”
This means that Volvo customers can now choose between different equipment levels – where such different equipment levels are actually available, which is not the case yet in Australia.
Realistically, Volvo has simplified the selection process in an effort to steer customers towards the options that best suit their needs and budgets, while nevertheless increasing the company’s price transparency and reducing complexity in its model offering by providing pre-selected variants.
Joshua S. Hill is a Melbourne-based journalist who has been writing about climate change, clean technology, and electric vehicles for over 15 years. He has been reporting on electric vehicles and clean technologies for Renew Economy and The Driven since 2012. His preferred mode of transport is his feet.