300kW Volvo C40 Recharge SUV-coupe unveiled

Volvo has pulled the drapes off its second pure-electric model – the Volvo C40 Recharge, a sportier SUV coupe take on its XC40 Recharge.

Set to be introduced in 2022, the C40 is another step along the way to the car-maker's ambitious sales goal of making EVs account for half the cars it sells by 2025, as part of an overall plan to go completely pure-electric by 2030.

Based on the Swedish car-maker's CMA platform, the same platform as the XC40, the C40 gets more rakish rear-end styling and an evolution of the current XC40's front-end, featuring an updated version of its blanked-out grille that's said to be a "new face for electric Volvos".

Measuring in at 4431mm long and 2035mm wide, the C40 mirrors the XC40's footprint but, at just 1582mm tall, stands 690mm shorter.

Because of the rakish rear lines, rear passenger headroom has been cut by 62mm, although luggage space still remains untouched at 413 litres, with the C40 offering owners an additional 31 litres of space in the front boot.

Despite it sportier lines, Volvo says the C40 driver will still sit in a raised seating position that offers a better view ahead.

Confirmed to be launched with the same powertrain as the XC40 P8, the C40 gets a pair of electric motors, with one driving each axle. Combined, they produce 300kW and 680Nm of torque - enough for a 4.9-second 0-100km/h dash and a limited 180km/h top speed.

Equipped with a 78kWh (72kWh of which is usable) battery, Volvo claims the C40 can cover up to 420km between top-ups under the WLTP testing regime.

That figure is also set to improve in time thanks to over-the-air updates, says Volvo.

The maximum charging rate, meanwhile, is 150kW, allowing the battery to be charged from zero to 80 per cent in 40 minutes.

Like other recent Volvos, inside the C40 there's a new infotainment system powered by Android Automotive. That means it gets Google Maps and an on-board assistant that is operated using natural speak.

No images have been released yet, but it's thought the C40's cabin mirrors that of the XC40's, although leather upholstery will not even be an option, the car-maker has been confirmed.

Pricing has also yet to be confirmed, but it's thought a premium will be levied over the XC40 Recharge, which is scheduled to go on sale in Australia in the second half of this year.

Prices are expected to be announced much closer to its launch and the C40 likely to follow its small SUV sibling on sale in early 2022.