Aesthetic appeal

The XC40 Recharge impressed us with its performance and practicality and now, sharing the same underpinnings, comes the C40 Recharge with a sports coupe look

- Abhik Das

Manufacturers of all-electric vehicles face a challenge of wooing in customers with the same sense of thrill and enjoyment that internal combustion engines provide. The mechanical noises, the way engines rev, their varied characters and not to forget, their exhaust notes, all add up to make for an experience that can't be matched by the silence of EVs. The latter's dominance now seems imminent so these manufacturers have had to find new inspirations to make their new products stand out. Volvo seems to have found their strongpoint in design and the new C40 Recharge is an example of just that.

The design is what immediately draws attention with the sloping roofline and twin aero-optimised spoilers at the back. Just these features alone make the C40's design work wonders for a prospective EV buyer. The front remains the same as the XC40 Recharge and that's a good thing considering that it's an already good-looking car. The bulge on the bonnet, the adaptive LED headlamps and the closed grille are identical to the XC40 Recharge. The side profile reveals new 19-inch aero wheels which are mostly closed except for five slats for brake ventilation. The rear tail lamps integrating Volvo's signature DRL shape is cohesive with the rear design and the C40's overall exterior look is decidedly sporty.