Volvo has overhauled the powertrains of the all-electric C40 and XC40 Recharge. As a result, the models get more range while the Single Motor model switches from front to rear-wheel drive. Whether the Polestar 2, using the same technical building blocks, follows suit isn’t clear at this point.

The architecture is changing the motor type in the front. Previously relying on a permanent synchronous motor, the upgraded models now receive an asynchronous version to boost efficiency.

In the case of Twin’s all-wheel drive version, with one motor on both axles, the synchronous motor in the front was using unnecessary energy in low load conditions.

Avoiding energy losses

Under cruising speeds and smooth acceleration, the AWD version primarily sailed on the asynchronous motor in the back. Therefore, the motor in front needed to be energized to provide neither positive nor negative torque, affecting consumption and range.

While some manufacturers, like Hyundai, install a clutch to decouple the front motor and avoid those energy losses, Volvo has now chosen to replace it with an asynchronous type that doesn’t need to be fed appropriately at easy loads.

Consequently, the Single Motor version swaps its front-only motor for a rear-only layout. Volvo points to production reasons for this particular driveline change, which would have been mind-boggling in the case of a combustion-engined model.

Bigger battery pack

Another reason for the change might be an unwanted loss in output. The asynchronous front motor develops 120 kW instead of 170 kW previously on the synchronous version.

Swapping to the rear means power for the Single Motor version rises to 180 kW. The total output for the Twin has remained status quo (300 kW), but the equally balanced power split has been altered and now puts a bigger accent on the rear (180 kW).

The new four-wheel driven electric Recharge models also get 3 kWh more battery capacity (78 kWh), improving the range from 449 to 507 kilometers in the more aerodynamically sculpted C40. The Single Motor, now also available with that bigger battery pack as the Extended Range, reaches 533 kilometers (515 in the XC40) at best.

Volvo has also upgraded the DC-DC converter for peak charging from 150 to 200 kW, shortening the 0-80% state of charge to 27 minutes. The new drivelines apply to all models ordered as of the 1st of December 2022.