The Volvo XC40 Recharge adds the T4 Twin Engine hybrid powertrain to its range

A few days ago Volvo updated the engine range of the XC60 SUV, and now it’s the turn of the smallest in the family, the XC40, focusing on its hybrid and electric variant that the brand calls Recharge. The Swedes are strongly committed to ensuring that both their hybrid and fully electric variants play an important role in their line-up.

The Volvo XC40 Recharge is currently offered in two versions. On one hand, we have the fully electric powertrain, which in fact became the first 100% electric model from the brand, featuring an electric motor on each axle that delivers a total system output of 408 CV and a range that, according to the manufacturer, exceeds 400 kilometres. This powertrain may sound familiar, as it is also the electric system found in the Polestar 2, the model that Volvo uses for its sportier cars.

On the other hand, for those who aren’t convinced by this 100% electric version, Volvo also offers a plug-in hybrid variant of the XC40 Recharge, consisting of the T5 Twin Engine powertrain, which is a 1,500 cc three-cylinder petrol engine with an additional Drive-E turbo generating 180 CV, working together with an 82 CV electric motor, resulting in a combined output of 262 CV. This allows fuel consumption figures of around 1.8 l/100 km, CO2 emissions of 41 g/km, and an all-electric range of 50 kilometres.

To these two powertrains we must add the new T4 Twin Engine, which could be considered the entry-level version of the XC40 Recharge range. This version also uses the same 1,500 cc three-cylinder petrol engine, but in this case the combustion engine output is reduced to 129 CV, while the electric motor remains the same, also delivering 82 CV, so the combined system output is 211 CV. Consumption and emissions figures are similar to the XC40 T5 Recharge variant, but acceleration is not, due to the difference in power: the new XC40 T4 Recharge reaches 100 km/h in 8.5 seconds, which is 1.2 seconds slower than its bigger sibling. The top speed is limited to 180 km/h.

The battery used in the XC40 T4 Recharge is also the same as in the T5 variant, so it still features a compact-design lithium-ion battery system of 90 cells with a capacity of 10.7 kWh, meaning it keeps an all-electric range of up to 50 kilometres. This battery recharges during braking and deceleration, but it can also be charged through the external cable connected to a domestic power socket or to a charging point, where charging times vary: three hours at 16 A, five hours at 10 A, and nine hours at 6 A.

The new Volvo XC40 T4 Recharge will continue to be offered in the two interior and exterior trim levels, Inscription and R-Design, with starting prices set by the brand as follows:

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverVolvo XC4011 versions · from 42,800 €