Volvo EX40: electric XC40 Recharge SUV gets a new name and the option of more power

It’s ‘all change’ down at Volvo and the XC40 Recharge has been renamed to simply the ‘Volvo EX40’ as part of the brand’s range-wide renaming strategy.

In case you weren’t aware, the Volvo EX90 made its debut in 2023 as the all-electric successor to the XC90 seven-seater SUV. This new model has since been joined by the far more compact Volvo EX30 – a small electric SUV rival to the likes of the Jeep Avenger and Smart #1.

In line with this, the ‘XC40 Recharge’ nameplate has now been dropped with the electric version of the XC40 SUV now to be known simply as the Volvo EX40. At the same time, Volvo has also renamed the C40 coupe-SUV to EC40 – the ‘EC’ suffix likely to set a precedent for future rakish Volvo coupe-SUVs.

Volvo hasn’t simply slapped a new badge on the EX40 and called it a day, either; the Swedish maker is now offering new ‘Performance’ software pack. Available on all new EX40 Twin-Motor models ordered from new, or as an over-the-air update for 2024 model-year XC40 Recharge Twin-Motor examples, this boosts power by 34bhp to a total of 436bhp. 

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Volvo hasn’t said whether the power increase results in a faster 0-62mph time, although it has said that the software pack will also add a specific ‘Performance’ drive mode which unlocks the powertrain’s full potential.

That’s not all, as buyers will also now get the choice of a stealthy Black Edition model. This, as its name suggests, gets Onyx Black metallic paintwork, black exterior detailing, a set of 20-inch gloss black alloy wheels and a choice of ‘Microtech’ vegan leather or charcoal fabric upholstery. 

Exact UK pricing and specifications for the Volvo EX40 are due to be confirmed in the coming months, although we don’t expect there to be any price increases. It’s worth noting, however, that the adoption of the EX40 nameplate does signal the death of the ‘XC40 Recharge’ nameplate as while the XC40 SUV will still be offered in petrol form, the ‘Recharge’ plug-in hybrid has been discontinued.