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Posted 8 April 2024
Volvo Cars’ progress towards becoming a fully electric car brand marks another milestone this spring with naming changes that create consistency across the UK model line-up.
The updates (officially for Volvo’s 2025-model-year cars, which are on sale now) are led by the fully electric C40 Recharge crossover and XC40 Recharge SUV being rebranded as the EC40 and EX40 respectively, bringing their naming in line with their EV stablemates, the EX30 and EX90 SUVs. The XC40 name remains in place for the mild-hybrid petrol versions.
Beyond the name change, the EC40 and EX40 are offered with a new Single Motor Extended Range powertrain. Available in addition to the established rear-wheel-drive Single Motor and all-wheel-drive Twin Motor options, this provides a greater driving range – up to 346 miles in the EC40 and 343 miles in the EX40. It has a 78kWh battery (with 75kWh usable capacity) and a 252hp electric motor on the rear axle that produces 420Nm of torque. The maximum charging speed for replenishing the battery is 140kW.
Meanwhile, an optional Performance software upgrade will be available, which increases maximum output in the EC40 and EX40 Twin Motor versions from 408hp to 442hp. Owners will also enjoy quicker acceleration response courtesy of revised pedal mapping and the addition of a new Performance mode that unlocks the increased power. This software upgrade will also be available to existing owners of previous-model-year (so-called 2024-model-year) C40 and XC40 Recharge cars. UK timing and pricing details will be announced in due course.
Volvo is also simplifying its price structure, with like-for-like on-the-road prices for the EC40 and EX40 Plus and Ultra models (the EX40 is also available in entry-level Core grade).
Visually, the EC40 is distinguished by a contrast black roof, standard across all versions. A new Sand Dune exterior colour option has also been introduced to the EC40, EX40 and XC40 models.
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Another change reflecting the progress of Volvo’s electrification programme is the deletion of the Recharge name from all plug-in hybrid models. Additionally, the Ultimate trim level has been changed to Ultra, across all models, while the Ultra specification of the XC60 and XC90 is now available with a heated windscreen as a no-cost option (if selected, this replaces the standard-fit head-up display).
The spread of Volvo’s electrified vehicle production capabilities means that XC60 plug-in hybrids for the UK market are now manufactured in Sweden rather than China. The XC60 plug-in hybrid line-up has also gained an entry-level Core version, bringing the starting price for the PHEV model down by more than £4,000.
Elsewhere in the Volvo Cars range, technical adjustments have been made to the B5 mild-hybrid petrol engine featured in the XC60 and XC90 SUVs. Adopting a new combustion cycle has improved fuel economy and lowered CO2 emissions – by up to 4% in the mid-size XC60 and 2% in the larger XC90.
