OWNING an EV in mzansi could have its own limitations for now, due to reasons we’re all familiar with.
But the very moment you enter into the brand new Volvo XC40 Recharge Single Motor Plus, all perceptions and worries tend to fade away.
Upon being delivered for a test drive, this reporter and team headed to Mbombela, Nelspruit, for the coverage of the 2024 Metro FM awards. Yes, as expected questions such as will we make it on time, and what would it require to have a fully charged battery?
The suave and luxurious XC40 comes packed with Google infotainment system, that allows you to interact with, and provides precise info on where to recharge and the distance thereof.
So, all those concerns were answered too, though (Colbert from the fleet agency) had to show a thing or two on how to manoeuvre.
This being an all-electric vehicle, there are no tailpipes to be found. An unnecessary but well-integrated grill comes in the same color of the body of the car, swathed by the Volvo badge crossing it like a seat belt.
Interior- comes in Charcoal City Canvas Textile, matching the exterior’s spare, Scandinavian styling. Aha, it came in Onyx Black colour…
It is subtle inside – aside from vertical air vents that arrest the eye the moment you enter the cabin. (They are placed like sentries on either side of the touchscreen centered between the steering wheel and the dashboard.)
The screen can show a “Home View,” “Camera View,” or “App View,” as required. You interact with it by alternately dragging, swiping, or tapping it, each of which provokes a different reaction to the command.
It also features Intellisafe Assist (includes City Safety with pedestrian, cyclist and large animal detection and front and rear collision warning with full auto brake), back Lit Topography décor inlays, road sign information (RSI), lane keeping aid (LKA).
This keyless SUV has it all, and the route to Mbombela became more exciting, until we had to recharge at Middleburg Shell Garage( yes they’re disinvesting from SA) for an hour, which was around 5pm (good time to relax and enjoy a hot coffee since that side is a bit chilly) having fully recharged at the Sandton Mall for two hours.
The Volvo Hi-FI Sound System, kept us awake as music for nominees was thumping, and also included in the car package are power operated tailgate, and pixel headlamps.
The XC40 has a ‘calming atmosphere’, as did the concave and illuminated “metal deco” detail along the dash and the spacious storage caverns in each door, smart storage, offering spaces for phones, cups, and bags throughout the car, from the front trunk to the rear seats.
The boot also carried the luggage with ease.
It has blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, (considering traffic headed to the awards), retractable rear view mirrors, and boasting 19″ 5-double spoke Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheel, from the exterior point of view.
XC40 comes packed with 1 x electric motor, high voltage battery power: 175kW Torque: 330Nm Gearbox: 1-speed Gearbox (Electric) Acceleration speed 0 – 100 km/h: 7.3 seconds Electric Range 460km, making it the ‘fast and furious’ as those hills and valleys were calling.
But I am much more likely to brag about the zero to 60 mph (97km/h) sprint of 4.7 seconds. The less said, the better!
On Saturday morning, I took the car for a recharge at the Volvo garage and also gave it a wash. Because of the high consumption it took on the battery, it did not recharge fully because I had to attend to my assignments to interview the nominees and sponsors of the awards, who were booked in at various hotels in the City.
The All-White event on Sunday was a bomb! I dropped my team at the event at Botanical Gardens and went back to Volvo garage to recharge, since it was only a walk away. By 10pm, after sharing food and soft drinks with a security (didn’t get his name) XC40 was full to capacity. 100 percent charged to able us to reach Middleburg on Monday morning, after checking out.
For a moment, I forgot about loadshedding, since its being while we’ve experienced such and enjoyed this Scandinavian SUV.
Departing Middleburg Shell Garage after lunch, and having to drop one of our colleagues at Park Station, it was seamless for XC40 because it was fully recharged, and gave me 223km in terms of battery range.
Oh, let me bring this to the Capital Hotel management attention: you cannot afford to install a charging wallbox that does not work. You telling me no electric car has ever came for charging for the past 9-months is bull…finish & klaar!
The Volvo XC40 retails for R1,108,000.00 including 15% VAT
Warranty: 5-year / 100,000 km vehicle warranty & 8-year 160,000 km battery warranty Maintenance: 5-year / 100,000 km full maintenance plan. It also on Call for 5 years, charging cable for public charging stations, and home charging wallbox.
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (8)
Battery (electricity) 1-10 (6)
Image SLM (The ‘Fast n Furious’ XC40 made its presence felt in Nelspruit, Mbombela).
