Volvo Car South Africa announced on 6 December that the new fully electric C40 Recharge is scheduled to join its range of electrified vehicles in the first half of 2023.

The C40 Recharge will offer many of the benefits of an SUV but with a lower and sleeker design. The vehicle is based on the CMA platform and is the first Volvo model in history designed as pure electric only.

The twin-motor version boasts an electric motor on each axle, powered by a 78 kWh (nominal output) lithium-ion battery pack offering a single-charge range of up to 451 km, according to the WLTP driving cycle. Peak outputs stand at a lofty 300 kW and 660 Nm, which facilitate a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 4.7 seconds.

Greg Maruszewski, Managing Director at Volvo Car South Africa, says he believes the C40 Recharge will prove popular with local buyers who are increasingly considering fully electric vehicles.

“Our initial allocations of both the XC40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge Twin were snapped up in double-quick time. We expect the new C40 Recharge to resonate just as strongly with South Africans looking to switch to battery-powered vehicles,” says Maruszewski.

Besides the C40 Recharge’s eco-credentials – bolstered by the fact it’s the first Volvo model to be completely free of leather – the newcomer is defined by its particularly striking rear-end design, which complements the low roof line.

Inside, the C40 Recharge provides its driver with the high seating position and also offers Volvo’s Android-powered touchscreen infotainment system, complete with built-in Google apps and services. Like all tested Volvo models on sale today, the C40 Recharge furthermore features a full 5-star safety rating from Euro NCAP.

The C40 Recharge is another step on Volvo’s journey towards becoming a fully electric brand by 2030.

Local pricing and specifications for the C40 Recharge will be announced closer to the launch in South Africa in the first half of 2023.