The Volvo XC40 Recharge – the full battery electric version of Volvo’s popular SUV – will be coming to Malaysia in 2022.
The original timeline for the EV was for it to debut this year – registration of interest started in April – but Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) says that supply chain disruption due to the Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns have delayed their plans.
VCM’s new MD Charles Frump told paultan.org in a virtual media meet up today that with a big backlog of orders to fulfil, the company will use all its capacity to make good the orders that are in hand, to reduce waiting time for customers. Factory capacity? Is this a hint that the XC40 Recharge will be CKD locally assembled in Shah Alam? If so, it will be the first full EV to be made here. By the way, the entire local Volvo range is CKD, including the plug-in hybrids, so Volvo has form.
Revealed in October 2019, the XC40 Recharge was launched in Thailand in March this year. A CBU import from China (they usually source models from Malaysia), the electric XC40 is priced at 2.59 million baht (RM332,469) in the kingdom.
The Thai-spec top P8 AWD version gets a dual-motor setup (one on each axle) for a total output of 408 PS and 660 Nm. The BEV will do the 0-100 km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while top speed is 180 km/h. The car is 2,250 kg, and the battery pack is responsible for up to 500 kg of overall weight.
Said battery is a 78 kWh lithium-ion unit good for around 400 km of range on a full charge (WLTP cycle). Juicing it via a three-phase 11 kW AC wallbox (Type 2 connection) will take just under 7.5 hours. DC fast charging of up to 150 kW is also supported – this way, an empty battery can be recharged to 80% in just 40 minutes.
Powertrain aside, it’s the XC40 that we know, except for a covered grille and a 31L frunk behind that, since there no more engine. A further 413 litres is available at the back. Inside, there are EV-specific displays and an Android Automotive OS-based infotainment system with full access various Google services and apps.
So, how much would you be willing to pay for the XC40 Recharge EV? Currently, the most expensive XC40 here is the Recharge T5 R-Design plug-in hybrid priced at RM241,997 with SST exemption.
By the way, BMW has made the first premium electric move in Malaysia with the iX that was launched yesterday. Armed with 326 PS, 630 Nm, an 0-100 km/h time of 6.1 seconds, a 76.6 kWh battery and 425 km of range, the bigger iX is priced at a ridiculously competitive price of RM419,630. Add on the Sport pack and extended warranty and it’s RM488,800. An EV version of the X3 called the iX3 is coming soon.
GALLERY: Volvo XC40 Recharge
Selling 250k maybe still got chance, the interior design can’t compete with upcoming ix3 and i4
ix3 maybe, but definitely no i4 for me with its lazily designed dash where they slap one long screen across and call it a day. What lazy work. That design looked horrible when it debuted with Mercedes and now that almost everyone is trying it, it looks tacky and outdated. It will not age well.
Shortage of XC40? No problem just buy X50, still got stock, basically the same car but at much cheaper price.
If there is an X50 P8 with 400HP EV, I’d take a good look. LOL.
https://paultan.org/2019/05/06/geely-binyue-phev-plug-in-hybrid-suv-launching-soon-will-we-get-it-as-the-proton-x50-phev/
Coming soon
Battery Electric Vehicle, not Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle as the Binyue though. The latter is akin to the current XC40 T5 Recharge which pairs a 1.5 engine with an electric motor.
What I was joking about is a X50 pure electric, with two electric motors producing a total of 400hp, like what this XC40P8 is.
Words from someone who can’t afford a Volvo
Volvo should also state the conviction to provide EV infra, DC charger n AC chargers… To support the EV eco system. Im committed to get volvo EV
Small volume player.. should go after the big shots out there flooding the market with loads of PHEV & EV without doing anything. Looking at you BMW.
For that price, rather buy Toyota harrier Venza
Boring people will onlu buy the Harrier Venza,
XC40 is definitely a better choice
The front end is one of the most important parts of the SUV. Typical japanese twin’s of Toyota & Fuji(Subaru) frontal design, long nose, stretch overhang, excessive & distractive vs the opposite twin’s, sturdier & boxier stands of the XC40 and X50, Elegant & clean exterior lines but still present the aggressive, powerful and imposing view.
just dont see how full ev’s make any sense here considering the crazy road taxes
Offset by the crazy cheaper servicing cost and you will save the environment at it.
our electricity generation is totally environmental friendly. wow.
Your argument above isn’t electricity generation but about cost of taxes, one that can be easily offset by cheaper maintenance.
250k and below…
180kmph top speed is miserable. A civic turbo can do 207kmph with its speed limiter and the civic is still stable and planted. Volvo should increase the top speed to at least 220kmph as the car is more than capable to handle speeds that is higher than 180kmph.
wanna go so fast for what? wanna die ah?
No need to rush as sales for this EV confirm to hit rock bottom. I have not seen any EV sales successfully take off and it’s pretty easy to see why when the infrastructure isn’t available.
Design looks dated oreadi