Overview
The design of the XC40 was previewed by concept car called the Concept 40.1, which was designed by Thomas Ingenlath, and unveiled in May 2016.[1] The XC40 is the first Volvo to be based on the CMA platform, to be shared by other compact Volvos, Geely, and Lynk & Co model. The platform was designed to maximise interior space.[18]
The XC40 comes in front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive (electric, from 2023) and all-wheel drive, and is powered by Volvo's 1.5-litre three cylinder and existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines, in both diesel and petrol variants. From 2019, a FWD plug-in hybrid named "T5 Twin Engine" is available, combining a 180 PS petrol version of the 1.5-litre engine with an 74 PS electric motor. In 2022, a mild hybrid version was introduced.[19] In the United States, engine choices are limited to the 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol powered T4 and T5 models.[20] In 2023, Volvo removed conventional engines as an option, meaning mild hybrids are the base engine option in the US.[21] The version tested by Euro NCAP in 2018 had a kerb weight of 1680 kg.[22]
Volvo Intellisafe is installed as standard. This technology is designed with the intention of preventing runoff road accidents. By using the car's advanced sensory system, the technology can detect potentially fatal scenarios such as run off-road protection. Safety belts are also capable of being automatically adjusted throughout these moments of impact while energy absorbing seat frames and seats are in place to prevent spine injuries. This technology was created based on real life data, and various crash test track methods such as: ditch, airborne and rough terrains.[23]
The XC40 was given the European Car of the Year Award at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show.[24] and the car was named Car of the Year Japan for 2018/2019. The XC40 was awarded Car of the Year by the magazine What Car? in January 2018, also Carsales Car of the Year in 2018,[25] and Irish Car of the Year in 2019.[26] The company increased their production across 2018 to 2019 to meet global demand.[27]
In June 2020, Volvo stopped taking new orders for Diesel-engined XC40s and production ended shortly thereafter.[28] Volvo planned on discontinuing all diesels beginning in 2021, as the new, fully electric Recharge version was coming on stream and as customer preferences were rapidly changing away from diesels. In the United Kingdom, for instance, the share of XC40 diesels had dropped from 36.5 percent in 2019 to 19% for the first half of 2020.[29]
