Volvo announced in the international market the restyling of its entire family of intermediate SUVs: XC40, EX40 and EC40 undergo a mid-life update with a new look, 11.2″ multimedia center and voice assistant based on Google Gemini. After almost ten years of career, the trio is renewed to remain competitive until the arrival of the next generations. In Europe, the three already accept orders; in Brazil, the arrival is expected for next year.
The XC40, unveiled in 2017, is the only combustion engine. The EX40 is the electric version of the same SUV, called the XC40 Recharge until 2025. The EC40 was born in 2021 as the C40 Recharge, with a coupe profile, and was also renamed in the brand’s new standard.
The external changes are based on Volvo’s latest visual language. All three gained redesigned headlights, with a reinterpretation of Thor’s Hammer light signature. On the XC40, the grille is new, with contrasting paint inspired by the restyled XC90; on the EX40 and EC40, the piece is one-piece and painted in the color of the body.
The fog lights and their niches came out of the bumper, and the central air intake was remodeled. At the rear, the EC40 maintains the coupe design, while XC40 and EX40 receive a bumper, trunk lid and LED taillights for the first time. The alloy wheels have been updated and range from 18 to 20 inches.
Photo: Volvo | Disclosure
Bigger screen and Gemini on board
In the cabin, the novelty is the 11.2″ multimedia, with the latest operating system and voice commands processed by Google’s artificial intelligence. Volvo also revised finishing materials and ambient lighting. The safety package gained an updated front camera, radars and ultrasonic sensors: according to the manufacturer, the images from the panoramic view cameras now generate a 3D projection for parking maneuvers.
Photo: Volvo | Disclosure
Mechanics preserved
Nothing changes under the hood. The XC40 continues with the 2.0 turbo gasoline and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, with 163 hp and 27 kgfm in the B3 configuration and 197 hp and 30,6 kgfm in the B4, both with a 48-volt mild hybrid system.
The EX40 is offered in P4, P5 and P8 versions, from 204 hp to 442 hp, with 69 kWh, 70 kWh or 82 kWh batteries and a declared range of 435 km to 573 km in the WLTP cycle. The EC40 goes from 238 hp to 442 hp, with 70 kWh or 82 kWh batteries and a range of 486 km to 583 km, also by WLTP.
In Brazil, Volvo does not sell the XC40 combustion. Here only the electric ones are for sale: the EX40 starts at R$ 329.950 in the Plus version and reaches R$ 379.950 in the Ultra, while the EC40 costs between R$ 334.950 and R$ 384.950. The autonomy numbers approved by Inmetro are much more conservative than the European ones: 393 km in the EX40 Ultra and 404 km in the EC40 Ultra.
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