Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) today launched the Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design, which is the plug-in hybrid variant of the brand’s compact SUV. It joins the existing XC40 T5 AWD R-Design that arrived much earlier as well as other Volvo PHEVs (XC60, XC90, S60 and S90), meaning the entire local line-up is now electrified.
As with every Volvo sold here, the newcomer is also a locally-assembled (CKD) model, specifically at Volvo Car Manufacturing Malaysia’s facility in Shah Alam. In terms of pricing, the XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design goes for RM241,997 on-the-road without insurance, with the ongoing sales tax relief (100% in this case) factored in.
The mentioned sum is slightly more than the current XC40 T5 AWD R-Design (by RM547) that previously went for RM241,450. We say previously because the non-PHEV is now cheaper, dropping down to RM231,651. With the new pricing structure, if you want the XC40 PHEV, the premium over the non-PHEV variant is RM10,346.
With the Recharge T5 powertrain, you get a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that provides 180 PS (178 hp) and 265 Nm of torque, which is paired with a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and an electric motor.
Unlike the larger, T8 Twin Engine-equipped models like those mentioned earlier, the electric motor on the XC40 PHEV isn’t mounted on the rear axle, but is instead sandwiched between the engine and 7DCT. As a result, there’s no electric all-wheel drive, with all of the power going to the front wheels.
The electric motor itself is rated at 82 PS (81 hp) and 160 Nm, contributing to a total system output of 262 PS (258 hp) and 425 Nm. It’s pretty obvious that Volvo combined the outputs of both, but in other PHEVs, it’s not always this straightforward and the numbers are lesser overall, so how has the brand achieved this?
The answer comes straight from Håkan Sandquist, director of powertrain strategy at China Euro Vehicle Technology (CEVT), who told paultan.org, “we have a technical solution that allows us to have full power from the ICE at the same time as for the electric motor.”
“As our electric motor is attached to one of the internal shafts in the gearbox, and can by that be shifted independently of the gear the combustion engine is running at. That makes it possible to have full power for both engine and electric motor at the same time,” he added. So, there you have it, good engineering.
In terms of performance, top speed is irrelevant, as both versions of the XC40 (and every other Volvo model) is capped at 180 km/h as per Volvo’s safety announcement. However, the XC40 PHEV takes 7.3 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h, which is slower than the XC40 T5 AWD that can complete the same sprint in 6.4 seconds.
This is despite the non-PHEV variant having just 252 PS (249 hp) and 350 Nm at its disposal from a 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which is mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system.
Part of the reason for the performance difference is that the XC40 PHEV weighs more due to its 10.7-kWh lithium-ion battery, tipping the scales at 1,875 kg compared to the non-PHEV variant’s 1,704 kg. It should also be noted that the positioning of the battery in the drivetrain tunnel means there is no change in terms of luggage capacity (460 litres), although the fuel tank size is down by five litres to 49 litres.
So, due to the extra heft, it isn’t as quick in a century sprint, although you will get to enjoy a rated fuel consumption of as low as 2.2 l/100 km, which is substantially better than the non-PHEV variant that can only muster 7.7 l/100 km.
There’s also up to 44 km of pure electric driving range available when the battery is fully charged, achievable by using the onboard AC charger (max 3.7 kW limit) and a Type 2 connector cable. With a regular three-pin domestic socket (2.3 kW), it takes five hours to reach a full charge, while by using a charging station capable of supplying the full 3.7 kW that the car can take, that time is reduced to three hours.
In terms of design, cues to identify an XC40 PHEV include the charging port on the front left fender, the Recharge script on the C-pillars and the lack of exhaust finishers at the rear. For our market, the model comes dressed in the R-Design package, which includes a gloss black grille with pin-like inserts, along with window and bumper trims finished in black.
The standard kit list is nearly identical to the XC40 T5 AWD R-Design, including a sport chassis; full-LED headlamps with Active High Beam and Active Bending Lights; LED fog lamps and taillights; along with a set 19-inch five-double-spoke matte black diamond cut alloy wheels (235/50 profile tyres).
Inside, you get a nine-inch Sensus Connect infotainment touchscreen, an eight-speaker, 250-watt audio system, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support, a wireless phone charger, powered R-Design seats with driver’s side memory function, R-Design sport pedal and gear lever, leather/Nubuck textile upholstery, Cutting Edge Decor inlay, dual-zone climate control with Clean Zone and rear vents, Recharge-specific tread plates and keyless entry and start. With the PHEV battery, there’s no removable bin for trash in the centre console.
Safety-wise, the XC40 PHEV comes with the City Safety suite (collision avoidance & mitigation with intersection support; pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection), front and rear collision warning and mitigation support, Driver Alert Control, Lane Keeping Aid, Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist and Cross Traffic Alert (CTA) with Autobrake.
There’s also seven airbags, the usual group of passive systems (Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, EBD, Electronic Stability Control) and a selection of driver assist systems like Adaptive Cruise Control, Pilot Assist as well as Park Assist Front & Rear.
Buyers will get five colours to choose from – Crystal White Pearl, Bursting Blue Metallic, Black Stone, Coral Red Metallic and Glacier Silver Metallic – all with a black roof and side mirror caps. The factory warranty is five years/unlimited mileage, while the warranty on the PHEV battery is eight years/160,000 km.
Find full specifications of the new XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design at CarBase.my.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
This pricing structure pretty much confirms what this article is trying to say: https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/cover-story-ev-race-can-malaysia-keep
Malaysia has failed to be a leader in the EV forefront. So called nationalism or pride if I should say is screwing our enocomy big time. Pride has dictated that we should develop ourself the technology and not be an assembly line like Thailand or Indonesia and look what Proton has become after 30 years of national pride saying we develop our own tech but at what cost? Do we even have the money to fund the R&D? What happened to the 3rd national car plan? What is Proton now in 2021? Back to becoming an assembly line for a foreign brand. Latest product from them? R3 cosmetic special editions.
There won’t be any incentives for EV when we still have Msians going gaga over an ICE car that was just launched yesterday. When such an outdated tech can wow Msians, why should our Govt care to incentivise us to move on?
It was hilarious seeing Malaysians all impressed by the Perodua Activa with a whopping 94 horsepower! LOL, meanwhile in Canada or whoever you have teenagers driving 300 horsepower Nissan Altimas.
Even worse, when it comes to Malaysian government – they are taxing EVs based on POWER. So for those who were hoping that with the rise of EVs, they can finally buy a car with big performance without the insane taxes – SORRY! The Malaysian government said no. You just drive an underpowered Perodua rebadged or a Chinese rebadged Proton that doesn’t even hit the 200 horsepower mark, Malaysia boleh !!
Funny thing is, Malaysia is a very car dependent nation and the cars are one of – if not the biggest expense for Malaysians. Still, the Malaysian government doesn’t want people buying quality cars – Proton and Perodua only! Sorry you can’t afford even a base model BMW after studying so hard to be an engineer.
Meanwhile Hyundai and Kia is out there making everything from budget cars like the Hyundai Accent to luxury SUVs like the Genesis GV80. Don’t give me any excuses for Proton at least, they had 3 decades of little competition in the domestic market and the backing of an entire nation.
Kimchi topkek pricing even higher than Jepunis here. Whatmore chronic low RV and reliability.
I am a engineering manager. I can afford to own BMW or Merc but I would still say that these brands are too luxury for me. Everyone has their own calculation. As a T40 group, supposed to enjoy these cars without worry but yet I need to worry of the maintenance cost.
Well said. Any those proton fanboys always proud and claimed GEELY sharing their technology with Proton (albeit not really technology transfer but only two SUV so far)…
INB4 Proton and Perodua fanboy come in and say: “Why buy Volvo when you can buy tin kosong rebadg-opps sorry I mean *game changer* X50 or Activa?”
Malaysian government should have never implemented these insane vehicle taxes. They should let the free market run, Proton and Perodua needs REAL competition. Paultan y’all need to make an article on this.
The Toyota Corolla’s starting price is RM80,000 in the USA (if it was 2013 exchange rate it would be RM60,000). MANY Malaysians would buy foreign cars instead and the government knows that – which is why they continue protecting these tin kosong rebadged Proton and Perodua cars.
Not to mention Malaysia’s income is very low, at least if income was higher then the higher vehicle taxes would be forgivable but nope.
Also fun fact: Volvo XC40 starting price is around RM137,000
Copy paste: “Yep ready but sadly not for me. No place to charge at my home up in the sky.”
It’s hilarious, 35+ years of basically competition-free market and the backing of an entire nation and where did Proton end up at the end of the day? A Chinese rebadge company that pumps out 10+ year old models with R3 stickers.
Many of my family members spent a little extra money and bought Toyota, Nissan or Honda. Why should we show support for a company that is spoon fed and has no incentive to improve? The so called game changer X50 and X70 are CHINESE cars, not Proton cars. If Geely didn’t acquire Proton I doubt we would not have seen cars as good as the X50 and X70 for a long time.
28 years of Daihatsu partnership and we have yet to see meaningful collaboration apart from all the rebadged models from start and some vendor sharing.
Even during their good times, Perodua have no guts to come out with a fully home grown model. Only excuses like riding on DNGA platform and vague directions like 3.0 Transformation Plan. What is this? Hellooo DNGA/TNGA is 5 years old ady, this is nothing new. Even Proton got brand new high tech BMA platform from Geely with VEA engine developed with Volvo.
Until today Perodua is like a Jap dumping ground for old tech, with no will of its own. It only knows to rebadge until kingdom come. No pride at all for a so-called national carmaker.
Copy paste: “As expected. This is another well packaged low budget vehicle for those can not afford better choice. No need to shoot me, you are definitely not a die hard fan. If you are, it is due to the price only. Look at built in quality for Aruz, and this SUV is not positioned as one level above Aruz, we can not expect too much.
You may say it gives many high tech gadgets (mostly for high spec which is RM70k++). If P2 developed them and used a lot of money, then we can understand. But hey, all these just taken from others. Do not tell me bullshit that P2 got contribution in R&D too. Ask yourself, without help from others, does P2 able to do it by themselves? Therefore, without high cost (I should not use zero cost, though) of R&D and tax advantage as national car, RM70k is really too high!”
Seriously? This coming from someone that had been praising an ICE car up to stinking heavens with obvious intent? Sorry but you sounded disingeneous, either in this comment or those comments pertaining to Ativa.
Japan have mastered hybrid for quite some time – what’s taking them so long – and yet Ativa doesn’t even come with a hybrid option? China is understandable, they are late in the electrification game. The Binyue have hybrid and EV options and proton is partly guilty for not bringing them in but that too is understandable in view many were grumbling about the price tag.
In the end it is time to end NAP or else revamp it again. The 2020 revision plainly sucks and cause more confusion that before revise. Without NAP, without tukang middleman perodua, we could have better cars with electrification options at Ativa prices.
The problem is most of our ministers are living in stone age era, katak bawah tempurung. They don’t even realized how far we are left behind by other countries. Many still think China is what it is 20 years ago. But if you go China now and see their tech, you will soon realized we are behind them by at least 20 years now and counting. Go to Dubai, US and China and see the average cars on the road. In China, at least 25-30% of cars on the road are full hi-tech EVs and the numbers are going up very fast due to the well planned infrastructure for battery charging or 5 minutes battery swap. We all still pakai kereta “gadak gadak gadak” to pump fuel. Malu siot
Not quite. In China EVs only make up 5% of new cars sold and less than 1% of total cars on the road, based on the latest data.
Same engine as value for money X50! Tahniah P1!
MY car buy. P2 Ativa >> Proton X50 >> Volvo XC40
Poor >> Middle class >> Rich
XC40 quality blows the Perodua and Proton out of the water. The Perodua is not a premium or luxury car, it is a value orientated vehicle and is very good at it. The Proton, I don’t even know what they are trying it be. Half of their lineup is aging tin kosong cars and the other are Chinese rebadged
What a disappointment for 1.5T 3-cylinder.
This should be called T4
They should have brought the all electric XC40 here
As much as I was previously looking forward to the XC40 P8 (Instant buy for me if it has 360 camera), the road tax is going to be a killer, considering how laughable the public charging infrastructure is implemented here, let alone the scarcity of it.
Top speed 180…lol
At least it can hit 180, can the recently Perodua Activa hit 180? Anyways what is the 0-100 time with its underpowered 98 ps engine? 10 minutes? Lol
Please don’t be so ignorant. Information is already out. It’s 9.6seconds at least.
That is insanely expensive. I live in the US and while we do not have the XC40 T5 Recharge – we do have the XC40 Recharge which is the FULLY ELECTRIC version. It has a $53,990 starting price which is around RM218,090 (will be around RM150,000 if we are talking about 2012 exchange rates – the good old right of economy). That is also BEFORE the U.S. federal tax credit that is $7500. Oh and did I mention that it has 400+ horsepower and 400+ ft-lb torque?
Y’all Malaysians really get the short end of the stick. Low salary and high car prices. So glad I moved out. I pity my fellow Malaysians that are car enthusiasts.
The XC40 is very nice car. It is like a pocket rocket.
Copy paste: “I don’t like EV at this moment. Firstly because of the lack of EV infrastructure in Malaysia. Second because of the range of travel the car can provide in a single charge. Thirdly, don’t know what will be the resale value of the EV car.”
I live in Singapore and volvo cars price is more than half million ringgit. I also live in Nepal and car price is insane. I live in Mars, they only have unmanned rovers.
how many volvo cars sold in maresia in 2020?
Beautiful baby. I’ve realised all newest xc variant so handsome made
If all other specs are the same, I will definitely go for non PHEV. First, more comfortable with 4 cylinder engine. Second, the sprint time is much faster. 0.9 second make a significant different. No one will care the fuel consumption if you go for a car at this price, especially when it sells at higher price. Malaysian still do not have environmental friendly mindset yet as compared to Europeans.
But to cap at 180km/hr is just too low. 250km/hr is just fine. Safety is not directly relate to speed but driving attitude is!
I agree that the PHEV version doesn’t makes sense. It’s more expensive but slower, FWD and higher depreciation.
I’m okay with the 180 speed limit. 99.9% of drivers can’t even safely do an emergency lane change at 80kmh. At 140, they’ll be most likely be dead. At 180, it is a certainly. Only cars that i disagree with the speed limit is sports cars that is track capable. But that is very few. Even most BMW M cars is not.
don’t know what’s with the obsession with 0-100 acceleration times. Times from a dig are irrelevant. in gear acceleration is the key.
When will the XC40 get a facelift? It’s a design from 2018 and is due for some minor refresh if not an all-new model.