Volvo reveals C40 Recharge subs plan 04 | 06 | 2021
VOLVO’S NEW C40 RECHARGE, the brand’s latest fully electric model and the first to be sold solely over the web at volvocars.com, is now available to order with prices starting at £57,400. Alternatively, the car is available on the company’s Care by Volvo subscription package; here prices start at £729, as long as you commit to 36 months.
And I've done the sums for you: that's a three-year total of £26,244; then you have to hand the car back. Volvo states the "Care by Volvo vehicles cannot be purchased at the end of the subscription.” First UK deliveries are expected in early 2022. (Related: Volvo's new C40 Recharge)
So, what is the C40 Recharge? It’s Volvo’s first-ever electric-only model. It’s also a clear relative of the hugely popular XC40 small SUV. At the end of last year, the pure-electric version of the XC40 — which is also available with petrol alternatives — was Volvo’s first EV model.
Look closely at the C40 and you’ll spot the styling at the front-end is very similar to that of the XC40, but cast your eyes towards the rear and you’ll spot the C40’s roofline tapers more sharply, topped by a small roof spoiler. The result is a profile less SUV-like and more crossover, even resembling a hatchback. Volvo though has ensured occupants benefit from a raised seating position, similar to that of the XC40. (Related: New Volvo XC40 Recharge PHEV T4)
Not surprisingly, the C40 shares the same CMA platform as the XC40 and both cars have the same wheelbase. According to Volvo, the rear legroom figures are the same for both cars, though there’s 60mm less headroom in the rear as a result of the ‘coupe-like’ roofline.
As for bootspace, both again have the same 413-litres of stowage space, plus the two models have the same 31-litre ‘frunk’ under the bonnet; the perfect location for stashing the charging cables.
There’s also uniformity in the powertrain; both EVs use technology which was first seen in the XC40 P8. That means, like the electric XC40, the C40 also gets two electric motors, one on each axle, producing a combined output of 402bhp and 660Nm of torque. Volvo says that’s enough to cover 0-62mph in 4.9secs, and can carry on to a limited top speed of 112mph. (Related: Volvo XC60 goes electric)
With a battery capacity of 75kWh, the C40 has a range of 261-miles. Volvo expects this range to improve over time as a number of over-the-air software updates are rolled out. And with a maximum charging rate of 150kW, the EV can be recharged from 0-80% in 40 minutes.
It’s the P8 version of the C40 which has now gone on-sale and is available to be ordered online. Buyers have the option of three deals:
List Price: C40 Recharge is available from £57,400. This includes three years’ insurance, maintenance and servicing. Buyers place a £500 deposit now, and pay the rest on delivery later in the year.
Subscription — Flexible: Priced £879 a month, no deposit is required, and both servicing and maintenance are included. Flexible also gives owners the option to give Volvo three-months notice if they wish to end the contract or change into a different vehicle. This package also includes a 30-day trial period at the start of the contract.
Subscription — Fixed: This is a fixed 36 month tariff, which costs from £729 a month, and again requires no deposit, plus both servicing and maintenance are included. 30-day trial and three months' notice do not apply to fixed-term subscription offers.
The standard subscription rate for both Flexible and Fixed packages covers 6000 miles annually. Buyers can top up their limit at a rate of £15 a month more per additional 2000 miles up to 10,000 miles. That can be further extended by paying an extra £10/month for the maximum limit of 12,000 miles.
Related: Roadtest — Volvo XC40
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Jim McGill