Volvo Car UK has opened order books for its refreshed 40 series, with the fully electric EX40 priced from £43,860 and the EC40 from £45,860 on the road. The update covers exterior revisions, a new variant naming structure and a power increase for the top all-wheel-drive version, while petrol mild-hybrid XC40 derivatives continue alongside the electric cars.
Design and lighting revisions
Volvo says the refreshed models carry “a more confident interpretation of Volvo’s Scandinavian design language”. The visible changes include redesigned front bumpers, bonnet and front wings, an updated grille and new “Thor’s Hammer Matrix” LED headlights. Those headlamps use a 15-segment lighting system which, according to the manufacturer, adapts the beam to road conditions while avoiding dazzle for oncoming drivers.
New names and a stronger top variant
The facelift also introduces a naming scheme that mirrors the smaller EX30. The former Single and Twin Motor versions are now designated P5 Electric, P5 Long Range and P8 Performance AWD. Output for the top variant rises to 325 kW from 300 kW, delivered through a 135 kW front motor and a 190 kW rear motor. Volvo adds that the entry-level P5 Electric offers slightly more range than the previous base EX40, attributing the gain to more efficient electric motors.
Range, drive layouts and trim structure
- EX40: from £43,860 on the road in P5 Long Range Plus specification, with a claimed range of up to 345 miles; offered with rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.
- EC40: from £45,860 in P5 Long Range Plus Pro specification, with a claimed range of up to 359 miles; available with rear-wheel drive or P8 all-wheel drive.
- XC40: petrol mild-hybrid B3 and B4 engines paired with a seven-speed automatic gearbox, from £37,710 in B3 Core trim; the line-up spans Core, Plus, Plus Pro, Ultra and Ultra Pro depending on powertrain.
What the update settles and what it leaves open
The changes are concentrated on appearance, model naming and the top powertrain, with UK pricing and range figures now fixed for the revised line-up. The efficiency improvement for the entry-level car is described only in relative terms, and the quoted range figures of 345 and 359 miles are manufacturer claims for the stated specifications rather than independently verified results.
What the announcement makes clear is that Volvo keeps a dual approach in this segment in the UK, selling the 40 series with both battery-electric and mild-hybrid petrol powertrains. On the quoted specifications, the B3 Core XC40 undercuts the EX40 P5 Long Range Plus by £6,150. The announcement gave no UK sales targets or first delivery dates.