After the XC 40, its coupé-like offshoot C 40, which is six centimeters flatter, is Volvo's second electric model.

We were traveling with its previous basis, the C 40 Electric Single with front-wheel drive and 231 hp electric motor, which cost at least 48,850 euros.

For the new model year, Volvo has switched to rear-wheel drive and 238 hp, the range of the unchanged 69 kWh lithium-ion battery in the floor increases by 40 to 476 kilometers.

The version with 252 hp and 82 kWh battery is new.

The powerful four-wheel drive version with two electric motors still delivers 408 hp.

All innovations also affect the electric versions of the XC 40.

Which body shape you choose is a matter of taste.

The 4.44 meter long C 40 may appear more elegant than its platform brother in classic SUV format, but it is not more practical.

Although the identical wheelbase of 2.70 meters also ensures a decent amount of space in the crossover coupé, the sloping roof limits the headroom in the rear.

The rear window is only a slit, the view to the rear is modest.

Since the electrically folding headrests on the rear seats help little, the standard reversing camera is more than welcome.

The trunk has a capacity of 413 to 1205 liters, the loading area is perfectly flat after folding down the steep rear seat backrests.

The 31-litre storage space under the front hood, which accommodates the bag with the charging cables, is practical.

Range of 300 kilometers

With the 231 hp permanent synchronous motor on the front axle, the almost 2.1 tonne electric crossover does not appear underpowered.

The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is completed within 7.4 seconds, at 160 km/h the fun is over.

The new versions are limited only at 180 km/h.

The C 40 drives smoothly and sufficiently agile, just typical electric car.

With partly icy outside temperatures, we came up with an average power consumption of 22.3 kWh including charging loss and a range of 300 kilometers, according to the standard it is 18.4 kWh and around 430 kilometers.

Fast charging is possible up to 150 kW, in the test a maximum of 84 kWh flowed at a 100 kW column with a half-full battery.

For alternating current, Volvo had probably accidentally included the wrong cable with the test car, which only supported single-phase charging.

This means that only a meager 3.6 kW trickled into the battery at a public 11 kW charging station, and the charging process lasted endlessly for eighteen hours.

The battery charge level is only displayed as a percentage in the instrument cluster up to the remaining range of 50 kilometers.

The mileage has to be called up via an app on the upright 9-inch touchscreen in the center console.

All vehicle and entertainment functions are controlled in partially nested menus via the central screen.

Free rolling without noticeable recuperation or the amazingly comfortable single-pedal driving with maximum energy recovery are also selected here.

We would have preferred a direct button for quickly switching between modes.

The C 40 is Volvo's first leather-free model.

The ambience is Nordic and elegant, with the exception of the hard plastic used for the decorative inserts, the material makes a high-quality impression.

The safety equipment is comprehensive as usual from Volvo, the emergency brake assistant should also recognize cyclists.

And bigger animals.