Volvo’s first electric car, the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is due for a 2024 update that will boost its battery size, DC fast charging speed, and power output. Autocar reports that production of the updated XC40 will start in May 2023. Together with the XC40, its coupe counterpart, the C40 will also be updated.
Malaysia only gets the Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric in its twin-motor version, but elsewhere, the all-electric XC40 also comes in a single-motor front-wheel drive configuration. The Volvo C40 is set to launch in Malaysia before the end of 2022.
The twin-motor version will be updated to get a bigger 82-kWh battery pack (from the current 78-kWh). With the bigger battery, the electric driving range of the XC40 can go up to 502 km from the current 418 km.
Charging will be made faster thanks to an update to 200-kW DC fast charging from the current 150-kW DC fast charging. Charging from 10% to 80% will take 27 minutes, which is 10 minutes faster than currently.
As for power output, the total output will remain the same at 408 hp (metric), although the dual-motor setup will have a more rear-biased configuration with two new electric motors.
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Not offered in Malaysia, the single-motor Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will receive a drivetrain update, changing to rear-wheel drive (RWD) from the current FWD configuration. The electric motor will also be more powerful at 238 hp (metric) from the current 231 hp (metric). No details were shared on the smaller battery for the single-motor XC40, but the DC fast charging will remain at 136 kW.
The updated XC40 is now available to order for the European market. Production will begin in May 2023 for the twin-motor version and Autumn 2023 for the single-motor version. In Malaysia, the Volvo XC40 is available with three powertrain options – MHEV, PHEV, and EV. A recent update has been given for the Malaysia-spec XC40, introducing Android Automotive to the brand’s entry-level electric vehicle (EV).
RELATED: Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric sold out for MY2022 in Malaysia – over 400 orders, 120 delivered
