Volvo XC40 electric vehicle range expands
Single-motor variant reduces entry level to Volvo’s first EV, but twin-motor version priced higherThe 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric – the Swedish brand’s first battery-electric vehicle in Australia – has expanded with the launch of a new single-motor variant.
It brings the entry point to pure-electric power for Volvo’s small SUV to $72,990 plus on-road costs – $4000 below the previous marker for the dual-motor variant that was launched last year.
However, under the MY23 model year designation now in place, the higher-powered twin-motor all-wheel drive version now starts at $79,990 plus ORCs – up $3000 on its launch price, with extra equipment helping offset the increase.
The latter includes Pixel LED headlight technology, “sustainable” cabin upholstery and new wheels, while all MY23 models gain a redesigned front bumper, frameless grille plate, new headlight surrounding finishes and revised rear bumper inserts.
The new front-drive single-motor variant produces 170kW of power and 330Nm of torque and draws energy from a 69kWh lithium-ion battery that provides a WLTP-verified driving range of 380km.
This compares with the AWD dual-motor version that has a 150kW electric motor on both the front and rear axle – providing a total output of 300kW/660Nm – and a 78kWh battery pack that offers a 418km range.
The single-motor variant’s power output is also slightly up on the more affordable Polestar 2 (from $59,900) that’s based on the same platform and produces 165kW/330Nm in base-level front-drive form.
The entry Polestar 2 also has a smaller 64kWh battery but carries a higher 440km range – and in long-range single-motor form (from $64,900), which uses a 78kWh battery and has an identical 170kW/330Nm output to the new front-drive XC40 EV, it can drive up to 540km before needing a recharge.
Other key features for the XC40 single-motor variant include:
- 19-inch five-arm double-spoke black diamond-cut alloy wheels
- ‘Thor’s Hammer’ LED headlights
- Park Assist camera
- Panoramic sunroof
- Heated front and rear seats and heated steering wheel
- Keyless entry
- Digital Services including Google Services
- Next-generation infotainment system including four-year data subscription
- Wireless smartphone charging
- Solid and metallic exclusive exterior colours
- Five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty
- Three-year/100,000km service wear and tear plan which includes wiper blades, brake pads and brake discs
Volvo Car Australia (VCA) says demand for its battery-electric XC40 has been “unprecedented” since its launch in August 2021, and that its “forward order book has never been stronger”.
“The introduction of the single-motor variant in 2022 will enable us to respond to this extraordinary demand with even a more affordable pure-electric option,” said VCA managing director Stephen Connor.
“Via this introduction we have delivered a fantastic offering without compromising on our core values and safety.”
Connor added: “We have secured a minimum of 20 per cent production growth for 2022 and we will continue to push for even more production to meet the demand of the brand.
“If our factories can keep up, then our [sales] volumes will hit 15,000 [annual] units in the near future.”
Volvo has committed to electrifying its entire range by 2025 with full-electric, plug-in hybrid and mild-hybrid variants, on its way to becoming an all-electric car company by 2030.
Pricing for the MY23 version of the Volvo XC40 Recharge Plug-In Hybrid (previously set at $64,990 plus ORCs), as well as other versions of the upgraded small SUV, are still to be announced.
How much does the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric cost?
Single motor – $72,990 (new)
Dual motor – $79,990 (+$3000)
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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