Volvo EC40

Highly sought-after, the Swedish’s latest offering, the new Volvo EC40 (formerly C40 Recharge Pure Electric), upgraded and launched in Malaysia.

The C-segment (mid-size crossover SUV) Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) underpins Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform (Volvo-Geely).

Locally assembled (CKD – Shah Alam), available via Volvo Car Malaysia (VCM) are two variants (EC40 Ultra Single Motor – RM248,888, EC40 Ultra Twin Motor – RM288,888).

Prices (OTR, w/o insurance) include a complimentary (five years) Volvo Service Plan (VSP – vehicle warranty: five years, unlimited mileage – service package: five years/100,000 KM – roadside assistance: five years, 24 hours), EV battery warranty (eight years/160,000 km) and a complimentary (five years) Digital Service Package (DSP – Google).

Exterior (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: body-colour roof – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: Black roof) colours (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: Sand Dune, Crystal White, Onyx Black, Aurora Silver – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: Crystal White, Onyx Black, Sage Green, Silver Dawn, Cloud blue). Interior (single-tone) colour (Charcoal).

The new EC40 gets a symmetrically tiered dashboard, linked to a low-rising centre console (sculpted gear shifter: Satin Silk-Gloss Black – storage – wireless charger).

Soft-/hard-touched (dash, centre console, steering wheel, doors), it sees one (single-tone: Charcoal) colour scheme with contrast trims (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: 3D Cutting Edge Aluminium décor, High-Gloss Black – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: 3D backlit topography, High-Gloss Black).

Equipped are the driver/central displays (landscape-mounted: instrument cluster, portrait-mounted: infotainment), air-conditioning vents (rectangular) and an ambient lighting system (multi-colour).

Inclusively, the layout is ergonomic (functional) with accessibilities purposefully arranged (driver-centric, passenger-oriented). 

Installed is a 12.3-inch TFT LCD fully digital (Multi-Information Display – MID) driver display (instrument cluster – landscape-mounted) with a Windscreen-Head-Up Display (W-HUD – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor).

Features are vehicle telematics, Bluetooth, navigation, Voice Recognition, media and two display modes (CALM, NAVI).

Comfortable, the interior sees suede-leatherette (Connect Suede textile/Microtech leather) upholstery (eco-friendly) in one (single-tone: Charcoal) colour scheme with contrast stitching (White).

The front gets electronic-powered (driver/passenger: multi-way-adjust, lumbar, driver-memory, heating/ventilation) Comfort seats. 

The rear gets a manual-operated (backrest recline, 60:40 split-flat-boot-floor-fold) Ergonomic bench (three-seater).

Included are armrests (front: centre console, rear: centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear: electric), seat cushion extensions (front – manual), panoramic glass sunroof (fixed: dark tint, UV protect, sunshade), headliner (Charcoal), textile floor mats (Charcoal – waterproof, easy clean) and treadplates (EC40 lettering, Aluminium).

A five-seater (mid-size e-crossover SUV), the cabin offers generous space, providing comfortable seatings with ample interior mobility for the occupants (front, rear).

Sufficient head, shoulder and leg rooms.

Mounted is a three-spoke-round sport steering wheel. Leatherette (eco-friendly) in one (Charcoal) colour scheme with contrast trims (Aluminium, High-Gloss Black, Satin Silk) colour scheme.

Features are multi-switches (Bluetooth, Media, Voice Recognition, Vehicle Telematics) and column adjustments (tilt, telescopic) and heating.

Drive is aided by an Adaptive Electric Power Steering (A-EPS) system.

Practical storage areas. E.g., pockets (side doors, seatbacks), centre console spaces (partitioned, caverned, retractable, under-stowage), card holder (driver-side dash), glove box (extensible hook-integrated) and a hidden boot space (under-boot floor).

Provided are four cup holders (two: front – two: rear) and four bottle holders (one: side doors).

Multiple power outlets. E.g., four USB ports (two: front – two: rear), two 12 V sockets (front, boot) and one wireless charger (front).

Accessing its electric-powered (contactless - remote/key fob, buttons, kick-sensor - height-adjust) tailgate, opens to 404 litres (rear seats up) and 1,205 litres (rear seats down) of load capacities. 

Also included is a 31-litre two-sectioned front trunk (frunk).

Weighing in at 2,065 kg (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and 2,185 kg (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor), the new EC40 stands at 4,440 mm in length, 1,873 mm in width, 1,591 mm in height and with a wheelbase spanning 2,702 mm.

Distinctively electric, it exudes an angularly solid exterior, emphasised by symmetrically aligned and straightly cut creases.

The front-end sees a squared bonnet (concave sides), muscular quarter panels (flared fenders) and a sculpted bumper (grille: fully covered, Volvo emblem – vents: lower-central, corners).

Accentuations, body clad (Matte Charcoal: bumper, fenders, side sills), body trims (body-colour: grille, door handles – Matte Charcoal: vents – High-Gloss Black: B-pillars, window surrounds – High-Gloss Black-Chrome: Volvo emblem), side mirrors (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: body-colour-High-Gloss Black – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: High-Gloss Black) and roof (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: body-colour – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: High-Gloss Black).

Sharply electric, it continues the angularly solid profile, emphasised by horizontally aligned and clean-cut contours.

The rear-end sees a coupe roofline (roof-edge spoiler: dual-element – shark fin antenna), muscular quarter panels (flared fenders), an upright tailgate (tailgate spoiler: integrated wing – Volvo script) and a sculpted bumper (covered, exhaust-omitted).

Accentuations, body clad (Matte Charcoal: bumper, fenders, side sills), body trims (body-colour: door handles – High-Gloss Black: roof-edge spoiler, tailgate spoiler, C-pillars, window surrounds, shark fin antenna – Chrome: Volvo script) and roof (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: body-colour – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: High-Gloss Black).

Angularly sharp, the headlamps are framed inward-narrow with pointed edges. Installed are full LED (Pixel Matrix) units.

Features are Thor’s Hammer Daytime Running Lights (DRL – LED), automatic On/Off/high-/low-beam/cornering/levelling, Active High Beam (AHB), low-speed manoeuvre, welcome/leaving lights and sequential turn signals (LED).

Unique, the tail lamps (darkened) are housed vertical and wraparound S-shaped (C-pillars flowing). Installed are full LED units.

Features are automatic On/Off, sequential turn signals (LED) and welcome/leaving lights. Included is a high-mounted stop light (spoiler integrated).

The side mirrors (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: body-colour-High-Gloss Black – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: High-Gloss Black) are electronic-powered (auto-fold, adjust, tilt). 

Features are sequential turn signals (LED), blind-spot indicators (Blind Spot Information System – BLIS), automatic-dimming and memory.

Installed is a setup of ventilated (front) and solid (rear) disc brakes. 

Drive is aided by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system and a Brake Energy Recuperation (regenerative braking – One-Pedal Driving) system.

Aerodynamically designed, mounted (EC40 Ultra Single Motor, EC40 Ultra Twin Motor) is a set of 19-inch (five-double-spoke – High-Gloss Black-Polished Aluminium-Diamond cut) alloy rims. 

The sets are rubbered up in 235/50 R19 (front) and 255/45 R19 (rear) Continental EcoContact 6 VOL tyres.

The new EC40 gets a comprehensive suite of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). 

Grouped are City Safety suite (collision avoidance & mitigation with intersection support for pedestrian, cyclist, scooter steering avoidance and large animal detection with steering support and braking), Front and Rear Collision Warning and Mitigation Support, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Steer Assist, Lane Keeping Aid (LKA), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Run-Off Road Mitigation with Road Edge Detection, Oncoming Lane Mitigation, Cross Traffic Alert With Low Speed Auto Brake, Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist, Pilot Assist, Park Assist Cameras (reverse-dynamic guidelines, 360-degree-3D view), Driver Alert System, Door Opening Alert (DOA) and Emergency Stop Assist (ESA).

Other systems include Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electric Brake Force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Brake Override System (BOS), Electronic Stability Program (ESP), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), Hill Descent Control (HDC), Active High Beam (AHB), Indirect Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (i-TPMS) and Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold.

Passive safety includes seven airbags (driver-passenger, driver-knee, front sides, front-rear curtains), Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with Dual Chamber SIPS Airbags, Whiplash Protection System (WHIPS – front seat), seatbelts (anchors, reminders, pre-tensioners), ISOFIX (two: outer rear seats), automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/cornering/low-/high-beam/levelling), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), parking sensors (six: front, rear), parking cameras (reverse-dynamic guidelines, 360-degree-3D view), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BLIS, automatic-dimming – interior: automatic-dimming), speed limiter, security windows (tempered glass: rear side/windscreen), ready-to-drive notification, emergency brake signal and anti-theft system (security alarm, engine immobiliser).

Three selectable drive modes (PASSIVE, COMFORT, DRIVE).

Installed is an 9.0-inch HD touchscreen central display (infotainment – control unit – portrait-mounted), running on an Android Automotive Operating System (AAOS).

Features are AM/FM radio, USB, Bluetooth, 5G/WiFi/WiFi hotspot, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto (wireless), Google Automotive Services (Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store), media, live navigation, Voice Recognition (front, rear), Volvo Cars mobile app (remote control), vehicle telematics (drive, interior), customisable interface (drive mode dependent) and Over-The-Air (OTA) updates.

Entertainment is channelled via a Harman Kardon premium sound system (600 W: 13 speakers, one air-ventilated subwoofer).

Cocooned in the new EC40 is an all-electric e-powertrain (BEV) with variant-specific setups.

First e-powertrain (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) is a single-electric motor (rear-mounted: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor – PMSM) setup (175 kW/238 PS, 420 Nm).

Second e-powertrain (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor) is a dual-electric motor (front-rear-mounted: Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor – PMSM) setup (300 kW/408 PS, 670 Nm).

Fused to the setup is a single-speed automatic transmission (Shift-by-Wire).

Power is rooted to the rear (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and to all four (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor) wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) system and an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is done in 7.3 secs (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and 4.7 secs (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor). 

Top speed is electronically capped at 180 km/h (EC40 Ultra Single Motor, EC40 Ultra Twin Motor).

Underpinned is Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform (Volvo-Geely).

Juicing-up the e-motors is a Ternary Lithium (NMC – Nickel Manganese Cobalt) battery (EC40 Ultra Single Motor: 70 kWh – EC40 Ultra Twin Motor: 82 kWh), 

Total driving range (WLTP) is 488 km (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and 554 km (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor).

AC charging (Type 2 – 11 kW), takes 7.0 hours (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and 8.0 hours (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor) for a 0% to 100% State of Charge (SoC). 

DC charging (CCS2 – 200 kW), takes 26 mins (EC40 Ultra Single Motor) and 28 mins (EC40 Ultra Twin Motor) for a 10% to 80% SoC.

The new EC40 comes with these conveniences.

E.g., Smart entry system (keyless entry, engine Start/Stop button, digital key card), electronic-powered (handsfree: remote/key fob, tailgate button, Volvo app digital key, dash button, kick sensor – height adjustment) tailgate, automatic-door locks (speed-sensing, central-locking, walk-away-lock), automatic wipers (rain-sensing, intermittent), automatic headlamps (On/Off/cornering/low-/high-beam/levelling), automatic windows (anti-pinch, one-touch up/down), parking sensors (six: front, rear), parking cameras (reverse-dynamic guidelines, 360-degree-3D view), rear-view mirrors (exterior: BLIS, automatic-dimming – interior: automatic-dimming), interior illumination (cabin, boot, ambient), dual-zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC – rear air vents, Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System: PM2.5 air purifier, remote cabin cooling, after-run parking climate, electric cabin heater/cooler: Volvo Car app, humidity sensor) system, steering wheel (multi-switches, column adjustments, A-EPS), electronic-powered (driver/passenger: multi-way-adjust, lumbar, driver-memory, heating/ventilation) Comfort seats (front), manual-operated (backrest recline, 60:40 split-flat-boot-floor-fold) Ergonomic bench (rear), armrests (front: centre console, rear: centre seat fold-out), headrests (front, rear: electric), seat cushion extensions (front – manual), panoramic glass sunroof (fixed: dark tint, UV protect, sunshade), textile floor mats (Charcoal – waterproof, easy clean), treadplates (EC40 lettering, Aluminium), tailgate scuff plate (stainless steel), charging ports (USBs, power sockets, wireless charger), infotainment (Google Automotive Services – Google Assistant, Google Maps, Google Play Store, Apple CarPlay/Android Auto: wireless, Volvo Cars mobile app: remote control, voice recognition), Door Opening Warning (DOW), Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Auto Brake Hold system and security windows (tempered glass: rear side/windscreen).

Installed is Volvo’s Interior Air Quality System, featuring a dual-zone Electronic Climate Control (ECC – rear air vents, Clean Zone Interior Air Quality System: PM2.5 air purifier, remote cabin cooling, after-run parking climate, electric cabin heater/cooler: Volvo Car app, humidity sensor) system.

Underpinned is Volvo’s Touring Chassis, featuring a suspension setup of MacPherson struts (front) and multi-link (rear). 

Ride comfortability feels flexible and firm at the same time. The vehicle delivers a connected steering feel, with a linear and balanced weighing at all speeds.

Overall, it is spacious and comfortable, and the ride quality is satisfactory. Safe and suitable for a daily driver.

Good sound insulation, covering all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects. The cabin is serene, with the tyre, road and wind noises mostly hindered. 

This is courtesy of the vibration-absorbing chassis, all-around improved sound insulation and double-laminated security glass (tempered: rear side/windscreen).

The new Volvo EC40 is a great daily e-SUV, providing an all-rounder build with its all-electric powertrain and total interior comfort.

Primarily, it offers a spacious cabin, enveloping a premium interior with advanced connectivity, comfort and plenty of safety features.

Next, it has an engaging driving dynamic with a selection between two e-powertrain setups (BEV: single-motor, dual-motor).

Ultimately, its build quality is excellent, and with its electrifying exterior demeanour, the new EC40 is surely a Volvo for Malaysians to consider.