Volvo Renames XC40 and C40 Recharge – ‘Recharge’ Badge Dropped

Volvo just announced a new naming scheme for the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge, which are now known as the EX40 and EC40 respectively. 

In a bid to streamline its brand offerings with clear separations, Swedish automaker Volvo has announced a new naming scheme for the XC40 and C40 Recharge models specifically.

Effectively, the move sees Volvo dropping its ‘Recharge’ name badge altogether for both. We’ll try our best not to confuse you, so here goes.

We’ll start off easy with the XC40. Aligning with its new EX90, EX30 and EM90 models, the existing XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge are now renamed as the EX40 and EC40 respectively.

Both the EC40 (left) and EX40 (right) gain new tailgate emblems to denote their name change.

As for the combustion (ICE) variant of the XC40, it still retains current name. However, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variants of the XC40 have dropped the ‘Recharge’ badge and will now be denoted as either T6 or T8, depending on output levels.

Besides new tailgate emblems, the dual-motor variants of the EX40 and EC40 also benefit with a new Performance software pack. This raises outputs in both by 34 HP, and said power bump is matched with a new pedal mapping for quicker accelerator response.

The full 436 HP available in both are now accessible through a new “Performance” driving mode. The same treatment will also be available for the previous model year (2024) in selected markets as part of an optional over-the-air (OTA) software update.

The EX40 and EC40 in their previous XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge forms. Both models are locally assembled (CKD) in Malaysia and are still sold in their old names at the time of writting.

Following this announcement, the locally assembled (CKD) Malaysia-spec versions of both the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models currently on sale are expected to undergo this name change soon. What’s unclear is if these will receive the latter Performance OTA update detailed.

We’ll have confirmation of both soon enough. In the meantime, read our in-depth take of both the newly renamed EX40 and EC40 whilst they were still badged as ‘Recharge’ models by clicking these blue words…