Order books for Volvo’s first electric vehicle have opened in the UK, with the Volvo XC40 Recharge priced from £53,155.
The highly-acclaimed small SUV leads the charge for the Swedish firm’s electric range, which will grow to include five electric vehicles over the next five years.
If you thought that the XC40 Recharge was a plug-in hybrid model, not least because we reviewed it recently, you’re right. But the new electric model is also called the XC40 Recharge. The fully-electric version is badged ‘P8’ to differentiate it from the plug-in hybrid Recharge model, which is called the ‘T5’.
The XC40 Recharge P8 has a range of 249 miles and can be charged to 80% of its battery capacity within 40 minutes at a fast charger. It makes 408hp and has a 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds.
At first, it will only be offered in R-Design specification, which includes 19-inch alloy wheels, leather and nubuck upholstery, aluminium inlays, 12-inch driver display, high-end audio system and LED headlights.
Optional equipment highlights include 20-inch alloy wheels (£750), charcoal leather upholstery (£900), upgraded driver assistance (£1,550), and a climate pack (£775) that adds heated seats all around, a heated steering wheel and heated front windscreen.
Volvo has continued its commitment to safety by completely redesigning the front end crash structure to account for the fact there is no longer an engine under the bonnet. The XC40 Recharge P8 is also the first Volvo to get a new version of Pilot Assist, the firm’s adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping system.
Buyers can order now with deliveries expected in early 2021.
The best small SUV keeps getting better
The Volvo XC40 continues to draw praise from journalists across the wide spectrum of the UK motoring media. The recently-launched plug-in hybrid version (confusingly, also badged as XC40 Recharge) has received strong reviews, and this all-electric version is likely to only enhance its reputation further.
The XC40 has the highest Expert Rating of all the small SUVs on sale in the UK, regardless of price. Based on 24 different UK media reviews, it continues to score better than newer rivals like the Range Rover Evoque or Ford Puma.
Stuart Masson, Editor
