Compact Swedish part-time electricity - Driving report Volvo XC40 Recharge
Swedes are nerds - at least when it comes to cars. At Volvo, safety and environmental sustainability are particularly important. Cars for individualists with a clear conscience who, in addition to various airbags, also purchase one for social acceptance. For example, the manufacturer's step that every Volvo model that is now being introduced should have an electric motor for the drive on board and that the top speed is limited to 180 km / h. In today's times, these are definitely helpful arguments for customers who may have already been infected by a certain skepticism about cars. Hybrid acts like honey, which makes the bitter gasoline more digestible for the combustion engine.
First socket hybrid from Volvo with three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine
In the case of the XC 40 T5 Recharge, this "bitter pill" is comparatively small but powerful: a three-cylinder turbo gasoline engine with a powerful 180 hp. On top of that, there is also electric power of 60 kW (82 PS), with the help of which the engine torque is raised from 245 to a fat 425 Newton meters and the power to 262 PS on the driven front axle. As a sign of good ethos, Volvo lets the C-pillar punch “Recharge” (sounds like more than the “Hybrid” with everyone else) clearly legible for all unsuspecting people, but when viewed unconditionally, the compact Volvo SUV can hardly be considered a vehicle category going through ecological progress. It also runs on electricity, but not far and probably also rarely in practice.
All Volvos with charging cables will in future be called Recharge
Which generally applies to all plug-in hybrids, not just those from Volvo. In everyday life, current evaluations show that hybrid vehicle drivers very quickly switch to saving themselves the need to recharge their batteries because the driving dynamics effects are not so striking, but charging is ultimately perceived as bothersome and tedious. It's not going to be fast with this Volvo Hybrid either. An XC 50 Recharge can stand for nine hours at the garage socket for the popular, but not achieved in practice, 40 kilometers electric range (at 16 amps, a good three hours). And even if it is neatly packed in a black designer bag, as is the case with Volvo, the charging equipment remains a bulky monster that, if in doubt, is more likely to be stored in the garage than in the trunk.
Admittedly - it works perfectly even without electricity
To make matters worse, the XC40 has two cable alternatives: One - the heavier one - for domestic use and another for tapping public charging points. One can understand that men or women will lose the fun of boosting electricity at some point. The wow factor of around 40 almost silent kilometers wears off - even with good intentions and in a test period of only 14 days. Mainly because it is not a must, the electric drive of a hybrid stands on thin legs. The XC 40 also drives without. And that is very good, whereby electrical energy is “collected” in small doses even when braking and coasting.
Volvo is carrying the part-time electric motor for the first year of the journal
In order to get customers used to charging with electricity or to keep them plugged into the socket, Volvo covers all the costs of electric charging for the first year. You will have a special app determined and billed. An honorable approach, not to let the hybrid become a sham. You shouldn't let yourself be blinded by the consumption values that the manufacturer specifies and that there shouldn't be any doubt that they came about. In realiter - on the road - it is impossible to travel 2 kilometers with less than 100 liters of Super - even with a fully charged battery. Consumption fluctuates extremely depending on how short the routes are and how consistently a socket is then controlled. Anyone who, like us, only puts on the cable in the evening and has to drive between 80 and 120 kilometers during the day, mostly in urban areas, ends up at the petrol pump with four to five liters of consumption. On the long haul, more than eight liters can easily go through.
Acoustics and driving dynamics are fun
In the 1,5 liter three-cylinder, acoustic restraint and driving dynamics potential form a joyful combination. The force with which the engine sets the 1800-kilogram chunk in motion is impressive and suggests more than just three cylinders. Even with an empty electric tank, you never get the feeling that you are driving an underpowered vehicle. However, you always carry a good 100 kilograms more in weight with, as the driver of an XC 40 B4 diesel has to, which as a pure combustion engine with 197 hp is similarly powerful.
Fortunately, the Recharge only has ballast, because the compact lithium-ion battery with 90 cells and one Capacity of 10,7 kWh does not cost a trunk volume (460 liters standard), it "disappears" in the area of the center tunnel.
In the “pure” mode, savings are noticeable
The dual-clutch transmission with seven gears works almost imperceptibly, although the transitions from two to three can sometimes be felt and heard. The XC40 Recharge offers shift paddles for manual gear changes. If you pull the gear selector lever towards the driver, the system switches to B mode with intensive recuperation. The braking effect and thus power generation increase noticeably here. The upright touchscreen also opens up the possibility of calling up five driving modes: The pre-set and safe level on which the vast majority of customers will drive is the hybrid mode in which the vehicle controls everything automatically. At the “pure” level, savings are made everywhere: In addition, the air conditioning, gas pedal reaction and rotational behavior in the gears are throttled.
Chassis set-up with a tight, majority-capable basic tone
The contrast program is called "Power". Here the system gets maximum performance from the hybrid train. If you get tough terrain under your wheels with the XC40 Recharge, you will find an intensified hill descent aid up to 40 km / h, stronger steering assistance and, in the drive train, a concept for maximum traction of the front-wheel drive. The owner can save “his” desired configuration with regard to steering assistance, throttle response, etc. via the “individual” position. The chassis set-up has a firm, firm base tone that is sure to have a majority. The steering could use a bit more of that. But the XC40, especially as a recharge, should pick up its customers across generations. If only because the basic version of the hybrid, which is already ideally equipped - especially in terms of safety - is scratching the 50.000 euro mark. More than 99 percent of all models should cost significantly more. But a flagship car is probably allowed to do that with Volvo customers.
Datasheet Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge:
Dimensions (length, width, height): 4,42 m / 1,86 m / 1,62 m
Weight (empty / maximum): 1812/2290 kilograms
seating: 5
Trunk volume (standard / maximum): 460 to 1336 liters
Engine (displacement / power / torque): 1,5 liters / 132 kW (180 PS) / 265 Nm
Electric machine (power / torque): 60 kW / 160 Nm
Drums: Lithium-ion 10,7 kWh
Powertrain: Front / double clutch 7 steps
Consumption (manufacturer information / medium): 1,9 liters
Price: from 48 300 euros
