Volvo has quietly updated its two entry-level EVs – the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge. The info can be found on the official website and reveals that both cars are now RWD instead of FWD. One would think a change as significant as this warranted a clear announcement.
The electric motor is now located at the rear axle and drives it with 238 PS (235 hp / 175 kW). The torque peaks at 330 Nm (243 pound-feet). The battery size remains the same at 69 kilowatt-hours for the coupe-like C40, but its range drops from 415 to 408 kilometers (253 miles). The XC40 compensates the range drop by a slightly larger battery pack rated at 73 kWh. This means its range remains at the pre-facelift 400 km (248 miles). On the upside, both EVs can now attain a top speed of 180 km/h (112 mph), which is 20 km (12 mph) higher than before.
Both can be obtained in a special version called Extended Range. The option increases the battery volume to 82 kWh while also ramping up the drivetrain output to 252 PS (249 hp / 185 kW) and 420 Nm (310 lb-ft) of torque. The XC40 gets 510 km (317 miles) of driving range in this version and the aerodynamic C40 is slightly ahead with 520 km (323 miles). All acceleration times remain unchanged.
Customers in Europe can already pre-order their car.
