With the clout of Chinese monolith Geely behind it, Swedish carmaker Volvo has elevated its stock dramatically over the past decade.
It might still be a low-volume fringe player on the South African premium car scene, but abroad, in key global markets, the firm has established itself as a force to rival the best of Germany, in addition to being among pioneers of the electric car revolution.
As anyone who has ever driven a contemporary Volvo will attest, the brand has certain hallmarks that make a person wonder: why do all manufacturers not do things like this?
Their vehicles’ seat designs, for example, are possibly the best in the business, sculpted for maximum cushiness and, of course, optimum support in the event of a collision. Indeed, safety has always been and remains a cornerstone for Volvo. A high level of occupant protection is a given in any Volvo, but lately, that is not the aspect that the automaker has been punting the loudest.
Let us go back to the electric car revolution mentioned above. As with chief European competitors, Volvo has announced a cut-off date for internal combustion. By 2030 it plans to be an all-electric motoring brand. How that might play out in markets such as ours, with particular nuances, remains to be seen.
But offerings like the XC40 Recharge, its first fully electric model, are easily endearing. Just ask the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ), which deemed it best in the New Energy Vehicle category in the 2023 South African Car of the Year awards. Next year buyers have the prospect of the stylish little EX30, with launch pricing upwards of R775,900, positioning it among the most affordable of the breed.
Presently, in addition to the XC40 Recharge, customers have the option of the C40 Recharge: similar running gear, but in a sleeker, coupé-esque body format. You still get four doors and a hatched tailgate, but where the XC40 wears an upright stance, the C40 crouches like a superbike rider.
No disputing that it is a head-turner. Parked outside Melville’s Café Picobella Trattoria for Sunday lunch, it was interesting to note how many stopped to take a closer look at the vehicle. One chap with gold dreadlocks, who looked like a poster child for vegan snack products, even did a full lap around the C40, taking it in, much to the dismay of his impatient partner.
Clearly he understands the concept of responsible luxury and will appreciate knowing that the interior of the Volvo is free of leather. The carpets are also woven from recycled textiles. In usual Volvo fashion, the impression of tactile quality is high. Expectedly, conventional buttons are sparse, but the switchgear that is present imparts a premium feel: from the chunky, metal interior door levers to the metallic feel of the large rotary dial for audio volume.
It feels snug but spacious, probably thanks to the expansive glass panel overhead, which reveals its glaring downside on a hot Johannesburg day. A shading system would be welcome. While we are on the subject of criticisms, the Google-based infotainment set-up takes some getting used to. It is data-intensive in operation. Our test unit was supplied with a router, but in previous evaluations where none was present, the full suite of Google applications (from Maps to Assistant) is rendered useless.
Road manners around town are textbook Volvo: a light, direct steering (electrically assisted); suspension tuned for comfort and excellent noise insulation. Hydraulic shock absorbers complement coil springs, with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, plus stabiliser bars front and rear. The underpinnings seem to handle the 2,110kg quoted weight competently. Since there is no sound intrusion from an engine, the cabin is as silent as Westpark Cemetery at dawn, in just about every condition, from heated traffic to freeway cruising. It is a true sanctuary.
Under hard acceleration the C40 reveals a well-hidden forte: that in the realm of a bona fide high-performance car. You will not grow tired of embarrassing, overzealous hot hatchback drivers in duels from 0-60km/h. Volvo claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.7 seconds!
How it achieves this is via a twin-motor configuration. The default derivative sold in South Africa is the P8 Recharge Twin Ultimate, while a single-motor model is sold overseas in addition. As you might have guessed, Ultimate denotes the inclusion of all conceivable bells and whistles as standard.
The Recharge Twin has a motor at either axle, each producing 150kW and 330Nm, making for a combined output of 300kW and 660Nm. Its lithium-ion battery has energy capacity of 78kWh.
Charging time depends on your chosen outlet, of course, but if you find yourself making use of one of the 150kW chargers in the country on the open road, you could juice up from nearly empty to full in just under 30 minutes. As for electricity consumption, Volvo claims as low as 19.8kWh/100km. I managed to get it down to 21kWh/100km and then up to 32.7kWh/100km when making full use of those entertaining acceleration characteristics.
The C40 is fairly practical too, with a 413l boot and a frontal storage compartment of 31l. Fold the rear seats down and you could free up more than 1,200l. So yes, you probably could go antique shopping down Albertville’s Long Road if you needed to.
It costs R1,285,000, which includes a five-year maintenance plan and warranty. The battery pack has coverage for an eight-year/160,000km duration. Volvo also throws in a home-charging wall box as added value.
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