Is Volvo XC40 Recharge Hybrid a Real Viking?

 

Is Volvo’s XC40 Hybrid the Ultimate Gay Viking

When the Vikings packed long boats with big beefy blokes, they concentrated on a light spot of rape and pillage. Despite their big weapons, they were always considered safety first, so had big horny helmets to ward off belligerent Brits. Swedish Volvo might now be a Chinese-owned car maker, but safety is still their first concern.

XC40 Recharge is a plug-in hybrid that completes Volvo’s current push in to electrification.

 

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How about the looks?

Looks are a matter of deeply personal taste. Some might find the chunkiness a trifle confronting, but others will find it lusty and butch. It has big, broad, shoulders that reach out to cover big 19” wheels, like a worriors cape over a shield.

If you want to dial up the machismo a smidge, there are even bigger wheels for those for whom a few inches really count.

The rear door has a kink in the waistline so that the quarter window closets those inside. While some are comforted such closeting, others may find the leather having other connotations.

The front end continues the theme with a grille angled out at the bottom, to add just a touch of aggression.

In short, the manages to look both bold, and urban-warrioresque with “Hammer of Thor” Active Bending LED Headlights. Yeah baby!

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review -2020 Volvo XC40 Recharge HYBRID Review

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ABOVE: 2020 Volvo XC40 Recharge Hybrid SUV

Exterior

• Panoramic Sunroof
• R-Design glossy black integrated roof rails
• R-Design grill
• Glossy black window trim
• Black exterior roof colour
• Colour coordinated door handles with Illumination and Puddle lights
• Dual integrated tail pipes
• Wipers with integrated washers
• Hammer of Thor LED Active Bending and High Beam Headlights with Headlight high pressure cleaning

Is the cabin closeting, or closeted?

The interior is delicious.

Whereas the big XC90 has the soothing cabin of a mid-century Scandy lounge, XC40 is a hip underground club. XC90 has pale timbers, and buttery leather. Aluminium and other top-drawer materials are lavished with gay abandon. XC40 eschews that look for something darker and more brooding. It is a gritty underground club, where the ex-directory celebs hang out.

The driver finds a big digital screen for driving data, as well as a portrait-style screen for infotainment. Buttons and knobs are well placed, but most of the major functions have been shoved into the centre screen. It keeps the console clutter free, but you’ll need to spend some time to get under the skin of the system. Don’t try it why you’re driving or you’ll run up someone’s clacker.

Volvo has really thought about the space. Everything is tucked away leaving oodles of room, even in the rear seats.

Front seats have buttons for adjustment, and heated seats for 4 pampered passengers mean nice warm bums even in the most hideous of northern winters. You won’t need that extra fur unless you want to make a real statement.

Front seats have an inbuilt Swedish masseur, pressing gently into your nether regions. You can even ask him to concentrate on the most stressed parts of your aching body, just like the real thing.

You will always feel safe and comfortable in a Volvo, and you can take that to the bank.

Interior highlights

• Cutting Edge Aluminium decor inlays
• Charcoal Nubuck Textile /Perforated Nappa in Charcoal interior
• Power adjustable Driver with memory
• Power Adjustable passenger seat
• Front seats with cushion extensions
• Illuminated vanity mirrors in sunvisor; R-Design gear lever knob
• Three-Spoke R-Design steering wheel with Uni Deco inlay
• R-Design pedals; Automatically dimmed inner and exterior mirrors
• High gloss black tunnel console; 2-Zone Electronic Climate Control incl. Cooled glove box
• CleanZone Interior Air Quality System
• High level interior illumination
• Windscreen ticket holder
• Storage box under driver seat
• Glove box bag hook
• Cloth Hook Fitted In Roof Load Net Fixation Point

Audio/communication

• 9” vertical touch screen centre display
• Inductive charging for smartphone
• Smart phone integration (iPhone and Android) with 3 USB connections
• Premium Sound System – Harman Kardon; Digital Radio (DAB); Bluetooth® (inc. audio streaming)
• In-car web apps
• Audio controls in steering wheel
• Satellite Navigation with Road Sign Information

Has Volvo innovated itself into a frenzy, gadget-wise?

Of course, it is a Volvo, so there are a bevy of beautiful trims carefully concealing a cornucopia trendy tech.

Safety first, so there are a ton of airbags plus –

All the Gadgets –

• Pedestrian, Vehicle, Large Animals and Cyclist Detection,
• Intersection Collision and Oncoming Mitigation with Brake Support;
• Steering Support;

Intellisafe Assist:

• Driver Alert
• Lane Keeping Aid
• Adjustable Speed Limiter function
• Oncoming Lane Mitigation

Intellisafe Surround:

• Blind Spot Information (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA)
• Front and Rear Collision Warning with mitigation support
• Run-off road Mitigation
• Hill start assist
• Hill Descent Control
• Park assist Front and Rear
• Rain Sensor
• Drive mode with personal power steering settings
• Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
• Emergency Brake Light (EBL)
• Frontal Airbags
• Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) with airbags in front seats
• Inflatable Curtains and Whiplash Protection System
• Driver’s knee airbag
• Belt Reminder all seats
• ISO-FIX outer position rear seat
• Intelligent Driver Information System (IDIS)

What’s Volvo XC40 Hybrid Like to drive?

Volvo has lightened the steering, and combined it with firm suspension, to give us an ethereal experience.

You can feel the extra weight of those Norse batteries through your bottom, but there is almost no feedback through to your hands. You just have to trust Viking will go where you point it. Handling is fab in corners, but really rough surfaces transmit a good deal of pillaging. It isn’t unpleasant, and who doesn’t mind the odd pillage?

It changes direction like Thor on Akvavit.

It feels as spritely as a boat of bondaged brutes, despite the little petrol engine. There is a real boost from the electric motor, and only under the harshest of acceleration can you notice the raspy note heralding your charge.

You get 40 km from an overnight charge which will do and average punter’s commute.

Conclusion

When you think of Sweden, you think of a bright crossed flag, and ABBA. ABBA was a handsome bunch in their day, but I wasn’t fond of this Scandinavian face at first glance.

I warmed to it, and after few minutes fiddling with the controls, felt at home. I reckon a road trip is in order, don’t you think?

XC40 sips drink in the same way a Viking doesn’t. It feels like it would shrug off a North Sea crossing without the help of even a single oarsman.

XC40 is every bit a Volvo.

The Volvo XC40 range starts at $46,990.00

Displacement 1477cc

Power output 132kW @ 5800rpm (Petrol) + 60kW @ 4000rpm (Electric Motor)

Max torque 265Nm (Petrol) + 160Nm (Electric Motor)

0-100km/h 7.3 seconds

Top speed 205 km/h

Fuel consumption 2.2 L/100km (Combined)

CO2 emissions 50 g/km

Fuel tank 48 litres

Weight 1760 kg

Transmission Automatic 7-speed Dual Clutch transmission; Electric Power Assist Steering

Engine / drive Drive-E Plug-In Hybrid 3-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine with auto stop/start technology; Front Wheel Drive

Brakes/wheels Front and rear ventilated disc brakes; 20″ 5-Double Spoke Matt Black Diamond Cut Alloy Wheels

Chassis MacPherson Strut front and multi-link rear suspension

Sports Chassis

Manufacturer’s List Price $ 64,990*

Metallic Paint $1,150

Versatility Pack: $230

Load Protection Net,

Power Folding Headrest Rear

Climate Pack: $700

Heated Front Seat,

Heated Windscreen Washers,

Heated Steering Wheel

360 Camera $990

Tinted Rear windows $700

Heated Rear Seat $350

Park Assist Pilot $650

Price as tested $69,760

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