The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric has 300kW!

Compact performance SUVs packing outputs in the 300kW range and 0-100km/h capability under 5 seconds aren’t exactly thick on the ground, but Volvo is about to join that exclusive club with the announcement of the XC40 Recharge.

Yes, well played if you spotted the clue in the name: Recharge is the branding suffix that will now be applied to any Volvo EV or plug-in hybrid.

In this instance, the BEV XC40 Recharge uses two electric motors to provide a very healthy 304kW and 660Nm to all four wheels.

A 78 kilowatt-hour battery (capable of charging to 80 percent of its capacity in 40 minutes on a fast-charger) provides a range of more than 400 kilometres according to the WLTP rating, which should equate to a real-world range of around 330km.

The strength of the powertrain is sufficient for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 4.9sec.

Visually, the Swedes’ new EV follows a fairly predictable path of terms of differentiation from the ICE models in the XC40 line-up: a closed-off grille, new alloy wheel design, and Recharge badges.

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No word of what battery packaging has done to rear-seat accommodation or boot capacity, but there is a ‘frunk’ large enough to swallow a generous overnight bag.

As for connectivity, Volvo is trumpeting that the XC40 Recharge will debut a new Android-based infotainment system capable of over-the-air updates and app store access, as well as a new Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS), the details of which are yet to be announced.

No word on Australian pricing, but we’d expect it to be in the $70,000 bracket when it launches here in the fourth quarter of 2020.

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Volvo remains bullish on its EV roll-out strategy, claiming it intends to introduce a new electric vehicle every year for the next five years. The goal is for EVs to account for 50 percent of global sales by 2025, with the other half made up of hybrids.