2021 XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design - Full-range of Volvo PHEV CKD’s Now Complete! 

Volvo adds another plug-in-hybrid into its local range with the introduction of the XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design. This makes Volvo the first automaker to offer the full range of its vehicle line-up in both CKD and PHEV form. 

Built on Volvo’s Compact Modular Platform (CMA), this Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design goes on sale for RM241,997 after the sales tax exemption (OTR, without insurance) and is available for viewing and booking at all authorised Volvo dealers nationwide starting today. 

Now, without further ado, let’s get into what’s different about the XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design from the XC40 T5 R-Design.

Powertrain

The Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design is powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine. This is coupled with the electric motor that is mounted to its seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Combined power output is 262 hp with 425 Nm of torque with 82 hp and 160 Nm coming courtesy of the electric motor. 

0-100 comes in a quick 7.3 seconds and top speed is capped at 180 km/h keeping in line with Volvo’s efforts to reduce road injuries and fatalities to zero. 

There are five drive modes to choose from: Hybrid (default), Pure, Off-road, Power and Individual - these modes are the same across the Volvo range of PHEV’s.

Before you start drawing parallels to the engine in the Proton X50 and Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design please note that the engine in the Recharge is technically and structurally different, though they do share the same architecture.

The 1.5 three-cylinder engine was co-developed by Volvo and Geely, meaning that both the engine in the X50 and XC40 Recharge adhere to the same technical standards but the main difference in the engine for the Volvo XC40 is that it is produced separately by Volvo and has a different calibration, using the CMA platform.

CO2 Emissions

The Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design has a combined CO2 emissions of 50g/km compared to the 176g/km that is emitted from the XC40 T5 R-Design. That is a whopping difference of 126g/km! 

Safety 

The hallmark of any Volvo vehicle, the Volvo XC40 T5 Recharge T5 R-Design comes with the below as standard:

• Pilot Assist
• City Safety
• Run-off Road protection and mitigation
• Cross-Traffic Alert with brake support

This is of course on top of the six airbags, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Blind Spot Information System (BLIS), and Lane Keeping Aid (LKA) that is also equipped on the Recharge.

Design 

The XC40 despite being launched in 2017, is still refreshing and imposing to look at, while far from being a classic, its looks have aged well thus why reinvent or rework something that still looks relevant in 2021? 

Exterior

• Charging lid on the left-hand front fender
• C-pillar updated with Recharge moulding
• Recharge emblem on the right of the rear 

Interior 

• Scuff plates with Recharge engraved on the metal plates

The Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design also comes with additional storage bins in the cabin with retractable hooks for you to hang your teh-tarik ikat tepi from. 

Boot

The 12V battery has been moved to the rear to accommodate the electronics for the plug-in-hybrid system up front. This unfortunately means that you don’t have space for a spare tyre but fret not as the Recharge comes with 19-inch 235/50 Pirelli P-Zero run-flats.

Colors

Five distinct colours will be made available for the Volvo XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design: Blackstone, Crystal White Pearl, Bursting Blue Metallic, Glacier Silver Metallic and Coral Red Metallic. 

The Crystal White Pearl does look rather fetching especially under sunlight! 

Price

Priced at RM255,888, the XC40 Recharge T5 R-Design is now reduced to RM241,997.04 due to the sales tax exemption (on-the-road, without insurance). The pricing for the Volvo XC40 T5 Petrol variant has been revised to RM231,651.00. This makes the XC40 Recharge RM10,346.04 more expensive than its internal combustion equivalent. 

You can refer here for the specifications of the XC40 Recharge that has been carried over from its internal combustion sister. 

“The fundamentals surrounding safety, design, and performance are the same for this model as with any other Volvo. Through the dedication of our team, we are confident that this car checks all the right boxes to provide an enjoyable driving experience. At the same time, we hope that the launch of XC40 Recharge T5 will provide a more sustainable choice for Malaysians and spur everyone to think about taking active steps in sustainability together, so we can recharge our environment and the future,” said Nalin Jain, Managing Director of Volvo Car Malaysia.