Volvo to introduce RWD, bigger battery for C40 Recharge, XC40 Recharge, late 2023 Australian launch likely

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Volvo is set to introduce its first rear-wheel drive models in 25 years, swapping front-wheel drive electric power to rear-wheel drive in its C40 and XC40 models. 

Power of the single electric motor has increased, too, and now produces 175kW rather than 170kW in the previous front-drive application. 

However, a more powerful single motor variant will be available for both the C40 and XC40, offering 185kW of power and connected to an enlarged 82kWh battery pack. This will boost range up to 515km (WLTP) for the XC40 Recharge and 533km (WLTP) for the C40 Recharge.

Chasing Cars understands that the updated C40 and XC40 Recharge models with rear-wheel drive and battery upgrades are likely to launch in Australia before the end of 2023. 

Charging boost and batteries improved for 2023

Volvo says that charging both single-motor models from 10-80 percent will take roughly 34 minutes using a 130kW DC public charger. 

Charging power has improved for the larger 82kWh battery, meaning that it can now take a maximum rate of 200kW DC (previously 150kW max). 

Volvo has also managed to increase battery range by making enhancements to cooling efficiency.

The WLTP range for the single-motor XC40 Recharge has been boosted from 425km to 460km, while the C40 Recharge’s single motor range has been improved from 438km to 476km. 

Updates to come for all-wheel drive variants, too   

The previous C40 Recharge and XC40 Recharge previously had a two-motor setup with twin 150kW electric motors, with one located on each axle.  

However the recent updates announced by Volvo confirmed new outputs with a 183kW electric motor on the rear axle and a 117kW electric motor on the front axle. 

Volvo says this new configuration helps both the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge to also gain better battery ranges. The XC40 can now travel up to 500km on a single charge (up 62km) while the C40 Recharge can travel up to 507km (up from 451km). 

This now puts the C40 Recharge even closer in EV range to the claimed 514km (WLTP) range of the Tesla Model Y Performance and more than the claimed 507km range of the current Hyundai Ioniq 5 Dynamiq.