Experience the Volvo C40 Twin Engine: fast, elegant, and now with better range

Volvo has made a huge mark on the electric car market in Norway – with the XC40. The mid-size SUV came first as a diesel and petrol engine, then as a plug-in hybrid – and finally as a purely electric car.

Now all the previous has been phased out – leaving only electricity.

In contrast, the XC40 has now joined a new variant based on the same platform – the C40 Twin Engine AWD.

more athletic

The newcomer is currently only available with the Twin Engine driveline, which means there’s one engine on each axle (four-wheel drive) and 408 hp.

It looks more sporty than the XC40, has a slightly better range and is faster – while the pricing is nearly identical. There is only a difference of 15,000 crowns in the two: 554,900 crowns for the C40 and 539,900 crowns for the XC40.

We have been to the C40 launch before in Belgium. But now we were able to test it on the Norwegian winter roads.

This is a short test. This means that we have run this model before. Now we try it with another engine. You will find a more comprehensive test for this model she has.

From the side, the mdu clearly sees a coupe-like silhouette.

what’s new:

The point is that the roofline has become more coupe-like. That means several things: less wind resistance, a more sporty look, and a lower ceiling height.

Location below 190 cm. However, it’s OK to sit in the back seat considering headspace. But the view is restricted by the roof line.

The luggage compartment is as in the Volvo XC40 with a capacity of 413 liters. But that number only measures volume up to the top of the back seat. In the Volvo XC40, you have the option of height packages. This possibility is very limited in C40.

Fortunately, you have room for luggage at the front (frunk). This is clever and very important in the C40. This makes it possible to store charging cables without getting in the way of other luggage. A total of 35 liters is available here.

In addition, the C40 can tow 300 kilograms more on the towing rod. The C40 can handle 1,800 kilograms – while the XC40 has to give up at 1,500 kilograms. There is actually a big difference.

Inside, there’s very little that separates the two. You get the same stylish interior that we know from many new Volvo cars.

The concept car has a blue floor covering that matches the launch color – Fjord Blue. When it’s clean and neat, it looks great. But with the Norwegian winter outside the door, with mud, pebbles and pebbles, it quickly gets dirty and wet. Maybe choose something more traditional to avoid nervous breakdowns in bad weather.

Stylish digital instruments - but we'd like to see them more adaptive, so you can have more control with the buttons on the steering wheel. — Stylish digital instruments – but we’d like to see them more adaptive, so you can have more control with the buttons on the steering wheel.

The infotainment system now includes the Google Assistant. It works very well. For example, we already miss reading the latest news at any time – not just every hour. Google Maps The Google Play Store is also there – and it works great.

It’s easy to get used to the multimedia system’s home screen – and we like that it’s a big, physical volume wheel.

Four main menus are available at all times. But we don’t like that you have to go to the home screen to do 99 percent of what you’re supposed to do. Digital gadgets would have had a display of phone lists and radio channels, for example. The steering wheel with the buttons on the steering wheel will relieve a lot of screen pressure and allow you to keep your eyes on the road. For the safety-conscious brand, this is a point…

So, the XC40 disappeared as a rechargeable hybrid

How it works?

Volvo is not known for its sporty driving characteristics. And although the C40 is sporty in appearance and has huge engines, this one is not.

On the other hand, what it is, based on the week of testing on the Norwegian Winter Road, is very consistent and safe. This is how it is also tried in turns. You can actively drive here, if you wish, but you notice the weight.

The test car has 19-inch rims, but the comfort is well taken care of. Only at the sharp edges does it hit a little more than desired, and you have to slow down a little more than expected, to get a smooth passage of bumps in the road.

There is some tire noise. We’ve been spoiling for a few new models here lately, which puts the list high. But Volvo finds itself compared to the best here – it has to be a premium brand.

Fortunately, you have a powerful Harman Kardon stereo system that delivers much of the sound you need wishes to listen to.

Blue floors look beautiful when they are dry and clean. But it does a little poorly with the Norwegian winter, if you're worried it has to look good at all times. The glass ceiling provides plenty of light. — Blue floors look beautiful when they are dry and clean. But it does a little poorly with the Norwegian winter, if you’re worried it has to look good at all times. The glass ceiling provides plenty of light.

Overall, the C40 is simply a good car to drive – without making any number of it.

I’ve taken myself sitting up and smiling a few times this year. Not because it’s so much fun, but because I’m just enjoying myself behind the wheel. When you need to get up a bit, leave it away from the traffic light. Acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 4.7 seconds! It wasn’t long ago that this type of acceleration was reserved for sports cars.

By the way, the new design also gives a different result. That is, the snow remains on the window on the back door. There is no windshield wiper, so if you need to remove it, you need to stop. In addition, visibility through the rear window is very limited, already in the first place.

Even the rear view camera is a little “compact” and gives a somewhat limited view. As with many other cars, the lens is not protected, so water, dirt, snow or dust is often what limits how much you can see.

One of the things we learned to appreciate during our testing period is the warmth of the steering wheel. It is one of the most effective methods we have come across. There are three levels, and at its most extreme it’s like burning your fingers. Beautiful on cold days.

Thus, the declared range is somewhat better in the C40 than in the XC40: 444 for 417 kilometers. This is partly due to the combination of the sloping roofline and the fact that the car is lower. The battery pack is the same – 78 kW total and 75 kW net.

Consumption is set at 20.7-22.3 kW per 100 km (depending on equipment / rims). But as is well known, the Norwegian winter is not suitable for recreating such forms. When we take the car on a 100 km test route, we end up with 23.7 kW per 100 km. The road surface is wet and the temperature gauge shows between three and six degrees below zero.

Depending on the test period, around 270 to 300 km appears to be a realistic range in winter, with a fairly normal ride.

When fast charging, the capacity is 150 kW. It’s on par with many others, and not bad at all on paper. But there have been reports that the charging curve is rapidly declining, something Volvo is also aware of and vows to improve via software updates.

On paper, however, 10-80 percent should clear in 37 minutes, which is acceptable.

But of course home charging is the most relevant, and who uses it the most. Here, the charging time is eight hours from 10-80 percent. The maximum capacity is 11 kW – which is comparable to most other capacity in this segment.

Volvos are good on the inside - and they've always been good on the seats. But you don't have as high a premium factor as you get on the larger models here. — Volvos are good on the inside – and they’ve always been good on the seats. But you don’t have as high a premium factor as you get on the larger models here.

Volvo could be a used coup car

conclusion:

The C40 is a great car – which is remarkable. Many people like that it has a more sporty design. Standing next to the XC40, the latter suddenly becomes quite demure, by comparison.

But there were many competitors here. The Ford Mustang Mach-E Long Range costs about the same, while the Tesla Model Y Long Range is about 10,000kr less. Both with a much better package.

But Volvo wants to point out that the premium factor is higher in the C40 – and that you get three years of service and three years of full body insurance included.

However, the C40 will not be as popular on the roads as its competitors, nor will it be as popular as the XC40. But sometimes the goal is not to drive like everyone else…