EV Brief 9/13/21 EV Brief 9/13/21

Smart Concept #1 Debuts at IAA Mobility Munich; new design language to carryover to production EV

The Smart brand is back with this crossover dubbed Concept #1. The first of the brand’s vehicles to be based on parent company Geely’s SEA EV platform architecture, the Concept #1 will be produced in China for global markets from 2022.

Smart’s Concept #1 is a rather, um, smart looking crossover. Images: Smart

Smart is well known for its microcars, and was borne out of the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Swiss watch manufacturer Swatch. While the Smart Fortwo and Forfour were never massive sales hits in markets with a penchant for big, thirsty, aggressive vehicles (looking at you Australia and the United States) the practicality and efficiency of the Smart range proved popular in Europe.

In 2019, Daimler AG entered a partnership with Geely Automotive, creating an equally-owned company Smart Automobile Co., Ltd, which aims to manufacture the marque’s future models in China for a global customer base.

Enter the Smart Concept #1; based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA EV), this platform is expected to be used across Geely’s electric model range, from Smart and Volvo, to Zeekr and Lynk & Co.

To my eyes, there’s a bit of Kia Soul and Range Rover at the front, while the rear design hints at a connection to Mercedes-Benz SUVs. According to Kai Sieber, head of design at Smart, the production car will look very similar to this concept:

Kai Sieber, head of design at Smart (and @MercedesBenz vans and trucks): The body of the Concept #1 is the same as the body-in-white of the production car. We have changed a few details but the two are very closely related". pic.twitter.com/z5EiaIZoyL
— Greg Kable (@GregKable) September 5, 2021

The interior will almost certainly be paired back for production, and again, there’s a Mercedes-Benz-ness to some design elements in here. Despite the compact body (4,290mm long), the interior appears quite spacious thanks to a 2,750mm wheelbase. For comparison, the Kia Niro EV/ e-Niro features a 2,700mm wheelbase.

Smart claims the Concept #1 will offer dynamic OTA software updates, as well as a raft of active safety technology and electricmobility-specific functions through its central infotainment system. A “three-dimensional globe” serves as the central menu item on the interior touchscreen, and as is currently the trend in other Chinese EVs, there will be an AI avatar to help access vehicle controls and functions (see NIO’s Nomi)

The Concept #1 will be produced in Xi’an, China from 2022, in left and right hand drive variants. No word yet on whether it will make it to Australia or the United States (probability is low), but expect right hand drive production initially for the UK and Japanese markets.

You can view our full image gallery here

Source: Smart

EV Brief 7/21/21 EV Brief 7/21/21

Polestar Australia confirms Australian management team, ahead of November Polestar 2 launch

Polestar is only 4 months away from the launch of its brand in Australia, and the market introduction of the Polestar 2 sedan. The Swedish electric-only automaker founded by Geely Holding and Volvo Cars has today announced further additions to its senior management team, after recently naming Australian-born Samantha Johnson — formerly of Volvo Cars Australia — as its managing director.

The Polestar 2 sedan. International model shown. Images: Polestar

Polestar is only 4 months away from the launch of its brand in Australia, and the market introduction of the Polestar 2 sedan. The Swedish electric-only automaker founded by Geely Holding and Volvo Cars has today announced further additions to its senior management team, after recently naming Australian-born Samantha Johnson — formerly of Volvo Cars Australia — as its managing director.

The new appointments are as follows:

Jeremy Goh - Head of Commercial. A senior leader of almost two decades in the automotive industry, Jeremy has worked in sales, network, and supply chain management roles in competitive and dynamic markets including China, Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia. Jeremy joins Polestar from Nissan Motor Co. Australia where he was the lead for Residual Value Management & Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles at Nissan, and General Manager, National Sales & Dealer Network Development for Infiniti. Prior to joining the Nissan Alliance, Jeremy held various roles within DaimlerChrysler / Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for 13 years. In his capacity as Head of Commercial Operations for Polestar, Jeremy will oversee sales, customer care, supply chain logistics, service network operations and technical support.

Paul Jowett - Head of Business Development. For the past 18 years, Paul has worked in senior management roles across a number of leading technology brands in Australia including Apple, Samsung, and Vodafone. Paul joins Polestar from Huawei where he was Director of Marketing for the retail team in the consumer electronics division. The Head of Business Development role will encompass Polestar’s operator network, retail, charging solutions, financial services, digital commerce and pricing.

Jonathan Williams – Head of Marketing. Jonathan is a creative marketer with a passion for disruptive technology as his experience can attest. Jonathan spent four years driving growth for PayPal, followed by seven years at Google where he led key product launches for Google Ads, Google Maps and Android Pay. He joins Polestar from tech start-up KLOOK, the most funded travel booking platform in history, where he held the role of Marketing Director – ANZ.

Commenting on the appointments, Ms. Johnson said “I am delighted to announce the Australian management team for Polestar, which brings the right mix of automotive know-how and a progressive, start-up mindset to the brand.

“The team will be instrumental in overseeing the launch of Polestar and the all-electric Polestar 2 to Australian audiences from November 2021, while playing a central role in achieving our ambitious growth plans for 2022.”

Although under the umbrella of conglomerate Geely-Volvo, Polestar is ostensibly a new startup, building its Australian staff, presence, and brand image from scratch. As we mentioned in previous coverage of the brand, Polestar’s vehicles will rely heavily on an online sales platform, complemented by physical showroom locations known as “Spaces”, to be located in heavily-trafficked central business districts. It’s not yet known whether Polestar plans to offer stand-alone service facilities, piggyback off Volvo’s Australian network, or servicing to customers’ homes and workplaces like Tesla.

Featuring a dual-motor all-wheel-drive setup with a 78 kWh battery, the Polestar 2 is based on the group’s Compact Modular Architecture platform, which underpins the Volvo XC40 Recharge and C40, as well as a number of Geely and Lynk & Co vehicles. The car has already received many accolades globally, holding the crowns for German Car of the Year 2021 and Top Gear’s Best All-Round EV.

With unique styling, a spacious interior, great performance, and the only fully integrated Android Automotive in-car OS, the Polestar 2 is one of our most anticipated EVs for 2021. We’ll keep you updated on any Polestar news down under as it happens.

EV Brief 4/28/21 EV Brief 4/28/21

Auto Shanghai 2021: The coolest new models, concepts and more! All the EV news from the show [updated]

After years of declining patronage at international auto shows, it’s nice to see Auto Shanghai 2021 bustling with concept cars, consumers and of course electric vehicles. We’re putting together a full run down of all new and concept electric vehicles that Auto Shanghai 2021 has to offer; check back here as this page is updated!

After years of declining patronage at international auto shows, it’s nice to see Auto Shanghai 2021 bustling with concept cars, consumers and of course electric vehicles. We’re putting together a full run down of all new and concept electric vehicles that Auto Shanghai 2021 has to offer; check back here as this page is updated!

Audi A6 e-tron concept

Chinese buyers love large, luxurious sedans, so what better venue for Audi to unveil its A6 e-tron concept? With similar dimensions to the current A6/A7 models, the e-tron concept is based on the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) modular architecture that also underpins Porsche’s Taycan and the e-tron GT. Set for a 2023 release, the A6 e-tron concept signals a new design direction for Ingolstadt, with complex, angular surfaces out, and an aerodynamic shape with seamless concave and convex surfaces in. It features a drag coefficient of 0.22cd, and Audi claims up to 100 kWh of battery cells, up to 700 km (434 miles) range and 270 kW peak charging speed thanks to its 800V system architecture.

Audi Q4 e-tron, Audi Q4 Sportback e-tron

The new Audi Q4 range is incredibly important for the brand from Ingolstadt in the Chinese context; sales in China were up 5.4 percent in 2020 to 727,358 units (up from 690,083 in 2019), and globally, SUVs account for 66 percent of the brand’s sales. With two body styles, two battery sizes — 52 kWh and 77 kWh — and DC fast charging up to 125 kW, the Q4 is Volkswagen Group’s premium offering on the MEB platform, sitting alongside the cheaper VW ID.4. The Q4 range will be the first Audi model to roll out of SAIC-VW’s joint venture (JV) manufacturing facility in Shanghai, and pricing is expected to start around RMB 420,000 ($64,640 USD).

Baojun KiWi EV

Based on the Baojun E300 from the SAIC-GM-Wuling joint venture, this microcar is the product of a further corporate tie-up with DJI. The drone company appears to be keen to utilise its expertise to develop hardware, sensors and autonomous software for electric vehicles, following years of development. It’s just a concept for now, but we fully expect SAIC-GM-Wuling to leverage DJI’s technology for future BEVs.

BMW i4 M-Sport

Though we still don’t have the full specifications for BMW’s upcoming i4 sport sedan, the company is teasing us with this M-Sport variant that wears tougher looking front and rear bumpers complete with carbon fibre trim. We’re not sold on this look — especially next to some of the fantastic design coming out of Ingolstadt Germany and Namyang South Korea — but we are sold on the 0-62 mph (0-100km/h) time of 4 seconds, 80 kWh battery with 300 miles (482 kilometres) range and the fact this is a sport sedan rather than a hulking SUV. The i4 range is expected to go on sale worldwide in the second half of 2021.

See more of our BMW i4 coverage and full image gallery here

BMW iX

Speaking of hulking SUVs, here’s BMW’s iX. We understand the importance of this car given the success of BMW’s X5 and X7 models, so it’s great to see BMW emphasising the importance of zero emissions drivetrains. The iX will come in xDrive50 and xDrive40 variants, with 370 kW (503 PS) and 240 kW (326 PS) respectively. The iX range will offer up to 249 miles (400 kilometres) of range, and debut BMW’s new technology toolkit, with enhanced connectivity, digital services, and a new generation i-Drive system. Chinese consumers will find Tencent applications built into the BMW iX, as well as a native WeChat functionality. Read more of our iX coverage here.

BYD EA1

BYD’s newest small car debuted at Auto Shanghai, and signals the future direction of the brand’s compact-class city models. Designed by BYD’s Global Design Director Wolfgang Egger, It features some pleasing design details that mimic VW’s ID.3, while retaining a unique Chinese personality. Based upon the company’s e-Platform 3.0, the EA1 won’t be short of cutting-edge technology, with BYD’s signature blade battery and 800 volt architecture available across the model range. BYD plans a ‘hot’ variant, and in exciting news for Australia, BYD and Australian importer Nexport plan to bring the EA1 down under in late 2021.

Cadillac Lyriq (General Motors)

GM has gone all in on battery electric vehicles, and the luxury brand Cadillac has debuted its full-size electric SUV based on the new Ultium platform. This modular design allows for efficient packaging of electronics, batteries and thermal management, and includes new technologies like a wireless battery management system. There are familiar Cadillac styling cues, with the vertical, slim-line headlights and angular design. The Lyric features a full-length glass roof, 23 inch wheels, and a 33 inch (yes, 33) in car LED display. Cadillac will also debut an in-car active noise cancelling system, aiming to reduce wind noise and tyre hum for passengers. Cadillac has stated that Chinese buyers will be able to order the Lyric in late 2021, for deliveries commencing early next year.

Ford Evos

Ford has debuted the EVOS at Auto Shanghai, the first model from the blue oval under a new China 2.0 plan and “Progressive Energy in Strength” design philosophy. According to Ford, the company is focused on “electrification and intelligence, customer-centered products and services and upgraded customer experience”. The EVOS features a 1.1m-wide horizontal screen, a virtual personal assistant (similar to NIO’s Nomi) and is based on the all-new Fully Networked Vehicle E/E architecture, which supports dynamic over-the-air software updates. The Ford EVOS will be built by Changan Ford, sold and serviced through the Ford NDSD distribution network across China.

Ford Mustang Mach-E

Ford is bringing the Mustang Mach-E to China, and the first domestically built variant — the Mustang Mach-E GT First Edition — is now available to pre-order. Prices will range from RMB 265,000-379,900 ($40,820-$58,520 USD). Ford says owners will have access to over 160,000 fast chargers in more than 340 cities across the country through an exclusive app, as well as access to NIO’s nationwide fast charging network. The Mustang Mach-E GT first edition will be powered by two electric motors making 358 kW (486 PS) and 860 Nm (634 pound-feet) torque. A less expensive entry model will eventually be introduced, but all Mustang Mach-E’s in China will receive the GT front fascia.

Genesis Electrified G80

Genesis’s design language has evolved into something quite striking; it’s not pretty but it is elegant, and has loads of presence. Sort of like a futuristic tech-heavy Bentley to our mind. Utilising Hyundai Motor Corporation’s BEV experience and expertise, the Electrified G80 comes with dual motor all-wheel-drive as standard, and 350 kW rapid charging with 427 kilometres WLTP range. Like the Hyundai Ioniq 5 and Kia EV6, 400 - 800 volt electricals are standard, and vehicle-to-load (V2L) is available for customers. Genesis quotes a 0-100 km/h time of 4.9 seconds for the luxe sedan. Expect more details and a North American launch later in 2021.

Hyundai Ioniq 5

We love the look of this car. It’s 8-bit retro-futurism personified, with the Giorgetto Giugiaro inspired headlights and roofline, to the ‘parametric pixel’ design language. Available with 52 kWh and 72 kWh batteries in rear and all wheel drive, Chinese buyers looking for something different should appreciate the road presence of the Ioniq 5 (it’s bigger than a Tesla Model 3) as well as the interior comfort. Thanks to the company’s new E-GMP platform, the Ioniq 5 is able to push the wheels to the corners of the car, and stretch the wheelbase to 3 metres. We were hands on with the Ioniq 5 last week, and can tell you that that wheelbase provides for an incredibly spacious and relaxing interior.

Mercedes Benz EQB

The Mercedes Benz battery electric vehicle onslaught is here, with the EQB following the recent EQS and EQA launches. Mercedes would like to you think this EQB is based on its all-new Electric Vehicle Architecture (EVA), it’s actually based on the combustion engined GLB, and it shows. Thankfully, it’s dorky looks should mean plenty of interior space, with seven seats available. Battery capacity is up to 66.5 kWh with 100 kW rapid charging, and there are front and all wheel drive options available in Europe and China. Expect the US and Australia to get all wheel drive only variants.

NIO ET7

We really hope NIO brings the ET7 to markets outside China. This rather good looking sports sedan will offer battery sizes of 70, 100 and 150 kWh, dual motor all wheel drive, and a system output of 480 kW (652 PS) and 850 Nm (626 lb ft). NIO has commenced body-in-white production this month, and hopes to have customer ready ET7s landing in Q1 2022. As the first sedan in NIO’s line up, the ET7 is an important car, and is expected to compete with Tesla’s refreshed Model S, as well as offerings from BYD, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. the ET7s party piece is its Aquila Super Sensing system with over 33 high-performance sensing units including one ultralong-range high-resolution LiDAR.

ORA Lightning Cat (Great Wall Motors)

ORA is Great Wall Motors’ all-electric brand, and the Lightning Cat is a kooky-but-fun visual mashup of a VW beetle, Porsche 911 and Panamera and Tesla Model 3. With dual motors and all wheel drive, the Lightning Cat can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.5 seconds according to Great Wall Motors. Oval headlights, two-tone paint and a glasshouse that resemble the Porsche Panamera’s somehow work, and the interior at least looks quite upscale, with a sporty three spoke steering wheel, retro instruments, a suspended centre control area with additional touchscreen, and orange sports seats.

Seres SF5

Seres’s entry into the BEV market comes in the form of a jointly-developed SUV with tech giant Huawei. The SF5 dual motor variant features 405kW and 820Nm, as well as a 1.5 litre four cylinder engine which acts as a range extender. According to Chinese market information, the SF5 has an electric-only range of 150 kilometres, but the small battery helps keep the cost of the vehicle down; RMB 216,800 in China ($33,370 USD). As you would expect, seamless integration with Huawei’s smart phones is available through the in car entertainment system, and the SF5 features adaptive cruise control and active steering assistance technology as part of its Level 2 autonomous driving system.

Toyota BZ4X

Toyota has finally been dragged into the BEV sphere, announcing the BZ4X SUV as part of a full-scale electrified model roll-out by 2025. The BZ4X is based on the e-TNGA platform co-developed with Subaru, and features Subaru’s all-wheel drive system. Not a huge amount is known about the drivetrain under this model as it is still officially a concept, but the BZ4X is expected to be built in Japan for western markets, and at the Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co factory for the Chinese domestic market. Expect a launch date sometime in 2022.

Volkswagen’s China-only ID.6 X and ID.6 Crozz. Image: Volkswagen

Volkswagen ID.6 X, ID.6 Crozz

The ID.6 range is the first all-electric model designed for a specific market, with popular Chinese apps and the ability to check local air quality levels in the infotainment system. Based on the EV-only MEB platform architecture, this 4,876mm long (192 inches) SUV is longer and wider than the US-only Atlas model. 58 and 77 kWh versions will be available, with 430 km (270 miles) and 580 km (365 miles) NEDC range. Rear and all-wheel-drive versions will be available, but pricing isn’t expected to be finalised until later this year. VW’s rivals in this segment include the NIO ES8, Li Xiang One, and Geely’s Xingyue L.

Wuling Hong Guang Mini EV Convertible (SAIC-GM-Wuling)

Errr… What is this? I hear you ask. Bear with us; this is the coolest little convertible going into production at Auto Shanghai. Based on the Hong Guang Mini EV, The Convertible is a chic city car with 120 km (75 miles) of range from a 9.3 kWh battery, or 170 km (106 miles) of range from a 13.9 kWh battery. Top speed is low — as you would expect — peaking at 100 km/h (62 mph). However it seats four, and is guaranteed to be easy to park at 2,917 mm long. The Convertible should be a good seller for Wuling; the hardtop version sold over 40,000 units in March, to be China’s best selling EV. Keep an eye out for it later in the year.

Xpeng P5

We’ve previously covered the Xpeng P5 launch extensively, and as the Chinese NEV luxury sedan market heats up, the P5 will prove to be an important car for the new automaker. Xpeng will likely beat NIO to market with the first production vehicle to feature a LiDAR-based autonomous driving system, and according to the company, the system works in challenging scenarios such as night and low-light conditions, backlighting, and alternating light and dark illumination in tunnels. The P5 should have a range of around 600km (373 miles) on the Chinese NEDC cycle, and full technical details are expected in the coming months, ahead of a late-2021 launch.

Zeekr 001

In a sea of electric SUVs, it’s hard not to get giddy at the sight of something a bit different. Geely’s new Zeekr brand debuts the production version of the Lynk & Co Zero Concept we saw last year. It’s a big, bold shooting-brake-meets-Panamera wagon based on Geely’s Sustainable Experience Architecture (SEA), and we love it. With 400 kW (543 PS) and 700 Nm (516 lb ft), the Zeekr 001 should hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.8 seconds. It’s set for release later in 2021, and let’s hope it makes it outside China.

EV Brief 3/22/21 EV Brief 3/22/21

Vietnam's VinFast discussing potential EV battery and components deal with Apple supplier Foxconn

Vietnam's largest conglomerate Vingroup confirmed on Friday that its automotive subsidiary VinFast was in early stage talks with the Foxconn Technology Group about working together and that any partnership formed would focus on developing batteries and electric car parts.

Foxconn’s EV platform at a company event in 2020. Image: Reuters/Yimou Lee

"Vingroup has received proposals from Foxconn but nothing is concrete yet. The partnership, if any, will focus on developing the batteries and electric car parts," a spokesman for Vingroup said. "No decision on working together to produce EVs has been made yet."

According to Reuters, Foxconn has put forward a proposal to VinFast to acquire their EV production lines, However VinFast would prefer a partnership as it remains keen to keep and grow its EV business.

Foxconn naturally declined to comment, however chairman Liu Young-Way also stated that the company may consider producing electric vehicles at its Wisconsin, USA plant, or look to setting up production facilities in Mexico. Liu described Foxconn as the "new kid in town" for vehicle manufacturing, and said the company needs to quickly build up its capacity to earn trust from clients.

Foxconn has been the world’s largest contract manufacturer for OEM’s for a few years now, and has openly stated that it has ambitions to shake up the automotive industry, but offering startup and established players alike a shortcut to competing in the electric vehicles market.

There’s no reason to expect that this can’t happen; Foxconn has moved quickly to establish deals with companies like Fisker and Byton. Recently Foxconn successfully established a deal with Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to provide contract manufacturing.

The VinFast LUX SA2.0 designed by Pininfarina. Image: VinFast

Vinfast is the automotive arm of Vingroup, Vietnam’s largest conglomerate consisting of 48 subsidiary companies across real estate development, retail services, education, network security, healthcare and of course automotive manufacturing. The group has a combined estimated 50,000 employees, and a turnover in 2019 of 100 trillion VND - approximately $4.3 billion USD. Vinfast recently set up a research and devlopment arm in Australia, based in Melbourne.

The company sold around 30,000 vehicles in 2020, and plans to increase that by 50% in 2021. VinFast’s electric vehicle offerings are expected to begin hitting the domestic Vietnamese market by December 2021.

Source: Automotive News

EV Brief 3/11/21 EV Brief 3/11/21

Polestar confirms entry into Australian and key Asian markets by end of 2021

Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region.

Polestar 2 Front — Polestar expands into five new markets in 2021 including Australia and New Zealand

Polestar to add five new markets across Asia Pacific

Polestar 2 will be available in 18 markets across Europe, North America and Asia Pacific by end of 2021, including Australia, New Zealand and Singapore

Polestar has today announced the expansion of its global footprint in 2021 with the addition of five new markets in the Asia Pacific region. These markets will join three new and previously announced European markets, bringing Polestar’s global footprint to 18 countries by the end of the year. The new markets include South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.

“The brand is gathering real momentum, and it is great to be expanding with Polestar 2 beyond our initial global markets in China, North America and Europe,” says Thomas Ingenlath, CEO of Polestar.

Preparations in these markets are at different stages as the brand organises market launches and eventually the opening of online sales. Specific dates and details for each market will be published locally to include model specification and product pricing.

Key for Australia and South Korea, local independent Polestar sales units are being established and new Managing Directors have already been appointed. In Australia the local organisation will be led by Samantha Johnson, and Jongsung Ham will head up Polestar in South Korea. The other markets will likely be operated on an importer basis, with local partners to be confirmed in due course.

According to Nathan Forshaw, Polestar’s new head of the China and Asia Pacific regions, “specific roll-out timing is at an advanced planning stage and the recruitment of key individuals has begun.” He adds “While we are growing rapidly, we are ensuring both our organisation and processes ensure a consistent and truly Polestar experience for our customers, wherever they are based.”

Polestar has already had a presence in Europe and North America since launch in 2020, and retails the Polestar 2 through its website and its “Spaces”; a term for centrally located design-focused showrooms in the style of Tesla stores.

EV Brief 3/4/21 EV Brief 3/4/21

Volvo reveals 2022 C40 Recharge all-electric coupe SUV

In the quest for greater sales, manufacturers are practically inventing market segments. Enter Volvo’s C40 Recharge, which is a compact five-seat electric SUV with a coupe roofline. To be sold online only, the C40 Recharge shares much under the skin with its XC40 P8 Recharge and Polestar 2 siblings. With two electric motors good for 300 kW and 660 Nm, Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h time of just under five seconds.

C40 Recharge coupe-SUV is first Volvo designed as electric only

Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) shared with XC40 Recharge and Polestar 2
Maximum claimed WLTP range of 420 kilometres (260 miles)

150 kW charging; claimed zero to 80 per cent recharge in 40 minutes
78 kWh battery with 300 kW (407 PS) of power, 660 Nm (486 ft-lb) of torque, 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) <5 seconds
100% animal skin free interior, Android based operating system
Available for preorder in Europe now, confirmed for late-2022 arrival in Australia

C40 Recharge debuts with coupe style

In the quest for greater sales, manufacturers are practically inventing market segments. Enter Volvo’s C40 Recharge, which is a compact five-seat electric SUV with a coupe roofline.

To be sold online only, the C40 Recharge shares much under the skin with its XC40 P8 Recharge and Polestar 2 siblings. With two electric motors good for 300 kW and 660 Nm, Volvo claims a 0-100 km/h time of just under five seconds.

The 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack features active cooling and is located completely below the floor of the vehicle. Driving range on a full charge is estimated at 420 kilometres on the WLTP testing cycle.

From the front doors forward, there are not many cues to tell the C40 apart from the XC40, save for a slightly more angular headlight design and more aggressive front air ‘vents’. The rear is visually quite striking, with the large glass pane flanked by LED tail lights, and sporty upper and lower rear spoilers.

The roofline is about 70mm lower in the rear than that of the CX40 Recharge, resulting is reduced headroom.

There are seven colours available at launch: Black Stone, Crystal White metallic, Fjord Blue metallic, Fusion Red metallic, Sage Green metallic, Silver Dawn metallic and Thunder Grey metallic:

Interior design is classic Volvo

It appears to be business as usual on the inside of the C40 Recharge, but Volvo pushes its sustainable credentials by removing all animal-skin from the interior. While not classified as totally vegan as some interior components use animal fat in glues and plastics, its a step in the right direction.

Volvo’s Android powered navigation brings Google Maps to the driver’s display

There’s a large panoramic sunroof, backlit metallic trim panels, and the soft touch points and excellent ergonomics the Swedish brand is known for. The C40 Recharge’s infotainment and operating system gets an upgrade too, with the Google-based Android system from Polestar’s 2, complete with a fully digital driver’s instrument panel with Google Maps front and centre.

Customers can download apps for the car from Google’s Play Store, and Google’s excellent assistant is available at the touch of a button.

Specifications and details are scant at the moment, with Volvo devoting just a few minutes to the C40 Recharge at yesterday’s press reveal. It will be produced in the company’s Ghent, Belgium factory, and is available to pre-order online. Volvo Australia has confirmed the C40 Recharge will arrive down under in late-2022.