Volvo XC40 Hybrid: The double premiere

The compact SUV comes on the market in two hybrid versions.

The Volvo can travel a good 40 kilometers purely electrically.

• After the

  Corona *

  braking

  , the

  automotive industry is

  slowly

  picking up speed

  again.

• Volvo

  * is optimistic and wants to build on the record year 2019.

• The new

  XC40 plays

  an important role in this.

Volvo is

gaining confidence.

The premium manufacturer plans to close the second half of the year on a similarly good level as 2019, which ended with the sixth record year in a row with more than 700,000 vehicles sold worldwide.

And that despite the fact that sales fell by 14 percent in the first six months of this year. 

The optimism is largely due to the three most successful models

- and of course more and more on the electronics market.

Every new model series from the Swedish company, which belongs to the Chinese car group Geely, already contains a hybrid or all-electric drive.

In the first half of 2020 which made 

 in

 from 14 percent of sales.

In five years it should be over 50 percent. 

Volvo XC40 Recharge in the test

And the

an important role in this.

The

is the

Swedes'

first

and is also offered as a

.

Outwardly it hardly differs from the "normal" version.

There is a "

"

logo

, and the e-charging connection is located on the wheel arch on the driver's side.

At the rear right there is still the conventional fuel filler cap.

+

The look of the hybrid models hardly differs from the models with a “conventional” drive

© Volvo

The

is a first in two respects: It is the first

from

based on the CMA platform and the brand's first plug-in hybrid in which a three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine takes over the role of the combustion engine.

The drive train has been completely redesigned.

The

is available in two output levels: the T5 with a system output of 262 hp (48,739.50 euros) and the T4 with a total of 211 hp (from 47,667 euros).

Both models have an 82 hp electric motor and a three-cylinder petrol engine with a displacement of 1.5 liters.

While the combustion engine in the T4 has 129 hp, the petrol engine in the T5 has 180 hp. 

Both versions meet the

And

according to

both

a purely electric range of around 50 kilometers.

We tested the T5 and came around 45 kilometers purely electrically.

The good thing: Typically hybrid, you often drive purely electrically for a short time in everyday life - even when the battery is almost empty.

This is because the lithium-ion battery always charges a little while driving when braking or rolling.

The start is usually purely electric - you always roll silently.

Both engines work as a parallel hybrid and can

therefore drive

the

separately or together.

The automatic change in "Hybrid" mode between battery and gasoline engine takes place almost unnoticed, as the combustion engine also operates quietly and smoothly.

It only sounds a bit rough when you accelerate vigorously.

The suit from the start is typically E-agile and direct, even afterwards the T5 offers enough power for every situation.

The gasoline consumption can of course vary greatly in the mix with the electric drive, depending on how often you charge the 10.7 kWh battery at the socket or wallbox and drive purely electrically.

When charging from the socket, however, please note: The charging process did not work with an extension cable in our test.

If the battery is almost empty and the T5 is almost always powered by the gasoline engine (tank volume 48 liters), we came to a fuel consumption of 7.1 liters.

Like all new

models, the top speed of the XC40 Recharge is limited to 180 km / h.

Facts about the Volvo XC40 Recharge T5

Also read:

No all-wheel drive for hybrid models

Small gimmick: The new “Care Key” is supplied as standard, with which an individual maximum speed can be programmed - for example, before the vehicle is given to family members and novice drivers.

The power transmission of the five-door is taken over by a seven-speed dual clutch transmission that works smoothly as usual.

Both versions, T4 and T5, are only available as front-wheel drive.

Only the fully electric

offers all-wheel drive

, which, however, costs a proud 60,436 euros even in the basic configuration.

The interior exudes typical

, a mix of high-quality comfort with a good overview and few frills.

The 12.3-inch digital cockpit shows, among other things, the battery level and fuel quantity.

Likewise, which drive is currently active and when the battery is recharged through recuperation.

In addition to the nine-inch touchscreen, there are of course numerous other technical aids on board.

The suspension is comfortable, but the 4.43-meter-long compact

does not

lose

its handiness and is agile through curves.

The road holding is as usual, full and safe, and the battery located in the center under the vehicle floor also contributes to this.

The rear seat backrests can be folded down 60:40 or completely.

The load volume in the luggage compartment increases from 460 liters to up to 1336 liters when loaded up to the roof - the same values ​​as with the conventional drive variants.

+

The interior is typical of Volvo: high-quality comfort and few frills.

© Volvo

Volvo XC40 Recharge: Conclusion

Anyone who covers a maximum of 40 kilometers between work and home every day can

drive purely electrically

with the

- provided there is always a charging option available and you have the small change for this premium model.

Because with a few extras from the optional equipment list, you can quickly get to 60,000 euros.

But you get a car that is very comfortable to drive.

Read more:

BMW 330i Touring in the everyday test: The pleasure with the load

List of rubric lists: © Volvo