Volvo EC40 devilishly fast EV with just the right old school touches

This sexy compact SUV coupe sprints from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 4.82 seconds. Introduced in 2021, the Volvo C40 was one of the Swedish carmaker’s first all-electric vehicles (EVs). Many models offered exclusively as EVs like the C40 have since joined the sexy compact SUV coupe, including the EX30, EX90 and ES90. Keeping in line with these designations, the manufacturer has renamed the C40 to the EC40 to make its EV-only portfolio a little less complicated. Like before, the Volvo EC40 is only offered in one model derivative, the R1 396 800 Twin Performance Ultra which The Citizen Motoring recently spent a week in. We liked the stupidly powerful C40 when we first sampled it back in 2023 and nothing has changed. No wait, we might actually love it a bit more now. Funny thing to say when only the change is the addition of an “e” to its name, right? The thing is, the time we have spent in the EX30, EX90 and ES90 over the last few years actually made us appreciate the EC40 more. Absolutely nothing wrong with the others, they are playing their part in advancing the art of mobility. Not all that alien But all this state-of-the-art space-ship stuff they offer can alienate a buyer used to a more traditional car-like set-up. For example, having to set a side mirror on the infotainment system. Only being able to change volume on the multi-function steering wheel. Or even having to switch gears on side of the steering wheel, something which has become the norm in most modern cars. The Volvo EC40 feels an actual car inside/ Picture: Jaco van der Merwe Because it predates the serious space-aged stuff common in every new EV the carmaker introduces, the Volvo EC40 offers a rare little piece of automotive sanity to those seeking slower transformation to the future. The interior, taken largely from XC models, has an actual instrument cluster binnacle, albeit the display is fully digital, that just feels right compared to newer tablet-style displays or not even an instrument cluster at all like the EX30. And it has and real gear shifter in the centre console. And traditional buttons in the driver’s door to set the side mirrors. Not to mention the good ol’ volume knob underneath the Google-powered 13.4-inch infotainment system. The layout and design of the cockpit feel like the perfect configuration for ultimate driving pleasure. Add to this the immense instant power from the electric powertrain and you’ll be addicted in no time. Volvo EC40 a silent assassin The Volvo EC40 features a 78kWh battery pack hooked up to front and rear-mounted electric motors. It sends a beastly 300kW of instant power and even nastier 660Nm of instant torque to all four wheels via single-speed electronic transmission. We came very close to Volvo’s claimed 0 to 100km/h time of 4.7 seconds back in 2023, when the C40 took 4.82 seconds to reach 100km/h from a standstill. In typical EV fashion, it silently assassinates most things when the light turns green while maintaining the serene backdrop inside that allow the Harman Kardon Premium Sound system to deliver theatrical excellence. The Volvo EC40 does not offer any driving modes. Instead, you can choose whether or not you want to try one-pedal driving, choose between a soft or firm steering wheel feel and between normal and off-road mode. It’s very easy to get used to one-pedal driving which uses regenerative power to slow the car down every time you lift off the accelerator. 20-inch black alloys are standard. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe At a weight of 2 185kg the car is heavy, something you can feel when the road gets bumpy. But apart from that, the dynamics are superb. The weight distribution and balance ensures great handling which show that it is not only fast in a straight line. Power consumption As far as energy consumption goes, Volvo claims the EC40 will use 18.7kWh power for every 100km, which will give a range of over 500km. The only way that number is in reach is if you drive it conservatively and you are not splashing 1.4 bar to drive like a granny. We averaged around 24kWh, which gave us a very acceptable range of just over 300km. And that still works out to R96 per 100km at a domestic rate of R4/kWh, a number a performance petrol or diesel car can only dream of. The only thing we didn’t like too much was the panoramic sunroof that does not have an actual blind. It tints automatically to block out the sun, but the glare filtering through during the heat of the day were still a bit bright for our liking. With its coupe-like sloping roof, signature Volvo LED lighting patterns, sharp lines and 20-inch glossy black alloy wheels, the EC40 is a seriously attractive ride. Add to it the electric zip and old school interior touches, and the package becomes nothing but a desirable one.