All Volvos electric by 2030 with new EV here next year

Hyundai Bayon SUV unveiled as Peugeot and MG plan for future demands

ANOTHER busy week with a new Volvo EV, Hyundai compact SUV, MG estate and Peugeot’s rebranding.

All Volvo’s new cars will be fully electric within nine years as the brand takes another step to doing so by unveiling its new C40 Recharge. The first model in the manufacturer’s history to be designed as solely electric, it is due here early next year.

It has distinct crossover/ coupé looks but Volvo say it’s lower and sleeker than many SUVS.

After already unveiling the XC40 Recharge electric and now this latest C40 Recharge, the company says it plans to make several more electric models over the coming years.

By 2025, it is targeting 50pc of its global sales as fully-electric. The rest of the models at that stage will all be hybrids. And by 2030, it plans for every new car it sells to be pure electric.

The power set-up comprises twin electric motors, one on the front axle and the other on the rear. They are powered by a 78kWh battery Volvo claims can be fast charged to 80pc in roughly 40 minutes.

Range between charges is expected to be in the region of 420km. Volvo makes the point that the projected initial range will likely improve over time because of the availability of over-the-air software updates.

The new car goes into production this autumn and will be built alongside the XC40 Recharge at the company’s plant in Ghent, Belgium.

Setting it apart somewhat are the distinct raked SUV/ coupé lines. The front introduces a new face for electric Volvos and incorporates the Android operating system. You get Google apps and services built-in, such as Google Maps, Google Assistant and the Google Play Store.

Here again, over-the-air updates will play a part in upgrading systems over time.

Meanwhile Hyundai’s new Bayon compact SUV has just been unveiled and will take on the likes of the Ford Puma, Peugeot 2008, Renault Captur, etc.

The Bayon derives much from the new i20 super-mini and has been designed particularly for Europe. With a ride height of 183mm, Hyundai claims it has an advantage over most rivals.

Very much aimed at urban buyers, a 2,580mm wheelbase gives front-seat passengers 1,072mm of leg room (882mm at the back) while the 411-litre boot can be extended to 1,205 litres.

Elsewhere MG is expanding its line-up with the April arrival of the new MG5 EV Sportwagon.

On the way: Volvo’s new C40 Rehcarge (top), MG’s new EV estate (right) and the new Hyundai Bayon compact SUV state-of the-art pixel-technology. The rear is tightly designed too to go with that lower roof line. We’re promised a high seating position inside, something it says most Volvo (all?) drivers prefer. It closes another chapter too by being the first Volvo to be completely leather-free. As with the XC40 electric version, the C40 Recharge has the much-acclaimed infotainment systemjointly developed with Google and is based on

Powered by a 115kW electric motor (156PS), with a 52.5kWh lithium-ion battery pack (rapid charge to 80pc in 50 minutes), it has a combined range of 345km. Prices will be from €27,645. And Peugeot launched a major rebrand of its models with newly installed CEO Linda Jackson emphasising how hard the brand is pushing upmarket. She stressed the rebrand was not just about a new logo but a major strategy.