BIRMINGHAM, Mich. — The Volvo C40 Recharge is a unusual but elegant little hatch with so much to speak about. Together with the XC40, it’s the primary rear-wheel-drive Volvo because the Nineteen Nineties. The cabin blends Google energy with Scandinavian simplicity. I feel the C40 appears like an early crossover from the ‘80s. So sure, I’ve ideas. 5 of them.
The design jogs my memory of the AMC Eagle
Stick with me right here. Am I the one one who thinks this appears like an AMC Eagle? It’s the massive wheels — these diamond-cut silver and black rollers measure 20 inches — and the silhouette. A barely lifted hatchback is a crossover nowadays, but it surely shares a few of the quirkiness and car-like high quality of the Eagle, which may very well be thought of an early crossover.
Tenuous design connections apart, the slab entrance finish, LED headlights and distinguished Volvo emblem conjure the requisite premium really feel. It does look the a part of an EV, which is a pure vibe for Volvos basically. They exude quirky sophistication layered over Scandinavian minimalism and sensibility. Not your taste of vodka? You could have heard the Dodge Charger is now an electrical car.
I had an odd charging expertise
With a couple of minutes to kill on a Saturday morning, I pulled right into a ChargePoint station to attempt to seize some bonus miles. I didn’t have a lot time, however the ChargePoint chargers had been actually throughout the road from the place I used to be going. Would possibly as effectively be plugged into one if I’m going to take a seat within the car parking zone, drink espresso and skim Autoblog on my telephone.
Alas, the motive force display screen learn “initializing charging” however by no means consummated the cost. I unplugged and re-plugged. No cube. ChargePoint charged me $2 for the pleasure of hooking up my automobile and never charging for 5 minutes.
Like I mentioned, I used to be simply killing time and didn’t completely want the juice, so away I went. I attempt to make some extent of charging EVs on public infrastructure for every check automobile, and the outcomes are uneven. This C40 had been lately charged, so I are likely to assume it was only a ‘bad handshake’ between the automobile and the charger, which appears to be widespread for EV homeowners. I suppose it may have been consumer error, too. In these conditions there’s an inclination to assign blame. I’m not. I’m simply saying it didn’t work.
It’s a enjoyable little factor to drive
The one, rear-mounted motor delivers 248 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. I put my foot to the ground and felt the pull, which can get you to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds, three tenths of a second slower than a Toyota Prius Prime (which might have been a slight a pair years in the past, now it’s merely contextual). Together with the XC40 Recharge, the C40 is the primary rear-wheel drive Volvo because the Nineteen Nineties, and the development towards rear-wheel variations of EVs just like the Hyundai Ioniq 6 is one we absolutely assist. Nonetheless, the electric-power-assisted steering is pretty numb, and the lifted stance doesn’t make for a lot of an fanatic dynamic. In order for you precise efficiency, you really want to go along with the two-motor setup, which is all-wheel drive and delivers 402 hp and 494 lb-ft of torque, propelling you to 60 seconds in 4.6 seconds.
The one motor mannequin is cheaper (by $1,750) and gives extra vary (40 extra miles). It’s your name: extra vary for rather less money, or far more efficiency for a little bit extra money. I would not make it a monetary resolution — it’s all about vary vs. the necessity for AWD.
The cabin is nice, however you may’t see out the again
I examined an Final mannequin that features heated seats and a heated steering wheel — which had been distinctive on a cold March weekend. It additionally provides a 360-degree digicam, which together with the usual rear backup digicam and rearview digicam mirror are mainly essential. You possibly can’t see out of this rattling factor! The steeply raked roofline appears nice, however the rear window is slim and the rearmost pillars are big. Even the cameras aren’t nice: The backup one looks like it is pointing downward, offering a restricted view of what is behind, whereas the digicam mirror is vulnerable to glare from the shadeless glass roof (pictured above proper). You may need to contemplate the extra upright XC40, which has superior visibility and extra cargo house due to its standard styling. I did handle to jam practically $200 value of groceries again there with no bother (search for Riswick’s baggage check of the C40 subsequent week). Final additionally provides issues just like the Harman Kardon sound system and adaptive cruise management.
Float on with Cloud Blue
A number of folks remarked on this lightest shade of blue. As Volvo describes it: “A pure, light solid blue color with a whitish character, inspired by the cold air of snowy Swedish winter landscapes.” Certain, I’ll purchase that. And if I had been shopping for a C40, I’d purchase one on this colour.