The XC40 Recharge is dead, long live the Volvo EX40

This is going to happen a lot, isn’t it? Just a fortnight after Mercedes told TopGear.com that its ‘EQ’ badging will soon be binned, Volvo has announced that its Recharge moniker has been axed.

As such, the XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge will henceforth be known as the EX40 and EC40, bringing it into line with Volvo’s other electric cars: the EX30, EX90 and EM90.

There is still a petrol XC40 though, and it will continue to be called that. Comprende?

The Recharge badging has also been chiselled off Volvo’s plug-in hybrid cars, which will now be denoted by the company’s T6 and T8 suffixes depending on power output.

“By aligning our trailblazing first electric models with the rest of our electric car portfolio, we simplify choice for consumers as we continue to electrify our line-up and refresh our hybrids,” says Björn Annwall, Volvo’s COO and deputy CEO. Or should that be ECOO and deputy ECEO? Niche gag, sorry.

Meanwhile Volvo has said that a Performance software pack will be made available in selected markets (TBC, obvs) for the EX40 and EC40 Twin Motor variants. This ups power by 34bhp, includes fresh pedal mapping for more bracing acceleration, and introduces a ‘Performance’ driving mode that unlocks the full 436bhp.

Oh, and Volvo has also confirmed that the EC40, EX40 and XC40 will all be getting a Black Edition… edition. Apparently the ‘make everything gloss black’ treatment was a hit on the XC60, so it’s being rolled out to Volvo’s smaller cars. Any takers?

Official UK specs will be set in stone at a later date, but Volvo reckons first deliveries will take place late in Q2. So June-ish…