Volvo long ago switched from rear wheel drive to front wheel drive across their model range but now they’re bringing back rear wheel drive on the XC40 and C40 Recharge EVs. The revisions also bring some extra driving range, as much as 60km on some models.
It’s interesting that with the advent of electric cars, we’re seeing a resurgence in rear wheel drive. Front wheel drive in a conventional car is easier to manufacture, lighter and releases more room in the cabin over its rear wheel drive counterpart. On the other hand, a rear wheel drive car doesn’t have to put its power down through the steering wheels so the result is a purer driving experience. It’s the reason most premium and sports cars stuck with rear wheel drive.
Volvo aren’t the only ones, VW Group and Kia/Hyundai EVs also have made the move to rear wheel drive.
The updated XC40 and C40 models now feature second generation electric motors that have been developed in-house and there’s also a performance model, with four wheel drive.
The single motor version comes with 185kW and comes with an 82kWh battery, which give a range of over 500km.
The charging rate has also been improved with 200kW DC charging now available, upgraded from 150kW.
The four wheel drive models also benefit from the improved charging but the 150kW motors used previously have been updated to the new 183kW unit driving the rear wheels and another new 117kW motor doing duty at the front.
These changes, together with improvements in battery cooling bring the range available on all wheel drive variants to over 500km, around 60km better than previously.
The XC40 starts from €61,715 and the C40 from €62,515. Both can be specified with all wheel drive for a premium of €5,000.
