RE: Volvo reveals 408hp C40 Recharge
Discussion
CDP said:
To me the big issues with online are:
Who do you go to if there's a problem with the car? The dealership is the company who sold you a car so ultimately they are the ones with the responsibility for customer service.
How do you get a test drive, compare different models etc?
Do you get 15 days (as per distance selling regs) to return it for any reason? If that's the case there have to be limits or do they just refuse to take another order? I'm guessing they've compared the cost of handling returns with dealership margins.
Seat comfort, driving position etc are all essentials. It gives me the impression it's OK for people who don't care about the way their car drives. Fair point that I've bought laptops and washing machines online but a car is more than that. Or maybe not for Volvo?
I thought about getting a Polestar but the closest place to go and see it / see if we fit over 3 hours away. The nearest Volvo dealer is about 7 minutes away as are most of the other major brands. Needless to say that I ruled Polestar out on that basis.
Also, what does it say about Volvo's support for its dealers? "in a few years we're only going to sell EVs" & "you will have to buy all EVs online". Hence the dealers don't have new cars to sell and presumably some won't survive. How far will owners of current cars have to travel to get their Volvo's serviced?
Many dealers aren't great, but on balance no dealers seems worse.
MOBB said:
I'm considering a Polestar 2 to replace my Tesla soon, also considered the XC40 P8 which has the same underpinnings AIUI
I quite liked the idea of a small SUV that no-one would expect to go like stink, and the reviews are great.
But £60k - I cant get my head round that, when the Polestar is £5k to £10k cheaper and seems to have similar kit, plus Ohlins, Brembo etc.
And the C40 will be more expensive still.....................
Agreed. No idea what's going on with Volvo/Polestar pricing structure, can only assume they're making a lot less on the P2 to keep it competitive with the Tesla Model 3?I quite liked the idea of a small SUV that no-one would expect to go like stink, and the reviews are great.
But £60k - I cant get my head round that, when the Polestar is £5k to £10k cheaper and seems to have similar kit, plus Ohlins, Brembo etc.
And the C40 will be more expensive still.....................
Anyway, I'd be waiting on the Polestar 3 personally. Does at least appear to deviate from Volvo styling to some degree unlike the 2?
BikeSausage said:
Another so-called SUV Coupe. Yippee. At least the Polestar 2 doesn’t actually look like an SUV.
And what happens if you want a test drive?
Seen one on the road? Looks like a Volvo crossover that someone has stolen the badges off. Disappointing.And what happens if you want a test drive?
Edited by SWoll on Tuesday 2nd March 16:24
Aside from the previous questions about test drives and repairs etc, am i the only one that thinks building enormous (probably two ton) vehicles (even powered by electricity) that will generally only ever have one person in them is not better for the environment?
Try building smaller cars that use less resources people.
Something like the tiny car with replaceable panels that Gordon Murray designed (T25) perhaps?
Try building smaller cars that use less resources people.
Something like the tiny car with replaceable panels that Gordon Murray designed (T25) perhaps?
Looks like a bar of soap, and a stupidly impractical body shape that will seriously compromise interior space (particularly in the boot).
I would much prefer a V60 style body, but clearly Volvo are chasing market trends.
Also I really don't see why this needs 400Hp is beyond me, it's clearly not going to be sporty. I guess the cost of the larger electric motor is minimal, hence they put a larger motor in and then charge a premium for 'Tesla' style performance.
If this is the future of motoring, I'm out.
I would much prefer a V60 style body, but clearly Volvo are chasing market trends.
Also I really don't see why this needs 400Hp is beyond me, it's clearly not going to be sporty. I guess the cost of the larger electric motor is minimal, hence they put a larger motor in and then charge a premium for 'Tesla' style performance.
If this is the future of motoring, I'm out.
To all these people wishing the dealers away just wait until you have to deal with the Manufacturer directly, it'll have you wishing for the dealership back, remember when the dealership isn't dealing with your warranty claim as quickly as you like it's usually because the Manufacturer is the one slowing down procedures.
Also when your new Volvo turns up with more orange peal than a jar of marmalade, enjoy sorting that out virtually
Also when your new Volvo turns up with more orange peal than a jar of marmalade, enjoy sorting that out virtually
I can’t believe people posting on here welcome a lack of dealerships. Can you imagine the nightmare of dealing online when there’s any problems,’you are 43rd..in....the...queue’
Or email chat with no specific section for your particular problem?! no human contact or relationships with local supplier, I honestly don’t relish the massive job losses, and ultimately cold, e-sales future. Also do you really think parts will be any cheaper.? There will be servicing menus with fixed (non negotiable) pricing and is all about maxing Volvo’s profits, don’t be fooled by their customer focussed rhetoric....
Or email chat with no specific section for your particular problem?! no human contact or relationships with local supplier, I honestly don’t relish the massive job losses, and ultimately cold, e-sales future. Also do you really think parts will be any cheaper.? There will be servicing menus with fixed (non negotiable) pricing and is all about maxing Volvo’s profits, don’t be fooled by their customer focussed rhetoric....
simonrockman said:
AshD said:
All drivers will need to attend driver training in Milton Keynes. Everyone who lives there is already adept at negotiating roundabouts at high speed.
I’m convinced that when in other towns and cities folks are genuinely scared / deem my driving too aggressive around roundabouts at speeds which are normal on the MK racetrack that all the locals are comfortable with.
I used to visit family in MK when I had my VX220, I loved barely lifting for the roundabouts.I’m convinced that when in other towns and cities folks are genuinely scared / deem my driving too aggressive around roundabouts at speeds which are normal on the MK racetrack that all the locals are comfortable with.
I read the headline, and thought "Oh, a C-named Volvo - this could be interesting - they make some interesting designs so an article about a new coupe or a C30 replacement might be worth a read."
Ah, it's another bloody SUV pretending to be a sporty coupe.
It will be interesting to see how dropping 'dealers' goes. It could work if the pricing structure for the car is right in the first place (as opposed to Volvos which are routinely discounted by dealers), and dealers are paid for everything they do (test drives etc.) with proper investment in these 'service centres' which then become akin to Apple stores. Will good dealers jump ship though, rather than just be a corporate front for a big brand? I wonder how car enthusiasts like John Cleland feel about being a service centre for click and collect Volvos?
Ah, it's another bloody SUV pretending to be a sporty coupe.
It will be interesting to see how dropping 'dealers' goes. It could work if the pricing structure for the car is right in the first place (as opposed to Volvos which are routinely discounted by dealers), and dealers are paid for everything they do (test drives etc.) with proper investment in these 'service centres' which then become akin to Apple stores. Will good dealers jump ship though, rather than just be a corporate front for a big brand? I wonder how car enthusiasts like John Cleland feel about being a service centre for click and collect Volvos?
I think a lot of people don't understand why this has 400bhp, so I will try to explain.
Modern electric motors are incredible. We cracked the problem with DC batteries by using solid state switching that allows us to use the ( original ) Nikoli Tesla AC motor design in a car. They can be much lighter than an ICE engine for the same power output. Of course, you need heavy AC switches and batteries which then removes the weight bonus, but the point is that out of your propulsion weight budget, the motor is now a small fraction - so there is very little weight saving in using a smaller motor, and not much additional cost.
Within certain practical limits, heavier motors also draw less amps for a given load, which means more range, even when the increased weight of the motors is taken into account.
The big obstacle to longevity with the motors and the batteries is heat, and again having a massive overhead in normal operation helps.
Of course, you can still make a cheap electric car with a small motor, but the cost differences are now much smaller than comparable ICE cars, so we are going to see a second power revolution for the everyman.
Modern electric motors are incredible. We cracked the problem with DC batteries by using solid state switching that allows us to use the ( original ) Nikoli Tesla AC motor design in a car. They can be much lighter than an ICE engine for the same power output. Of course, you need heavy AC switches and batteries which then removes the weight bonus, but the point is that out of your propulsion weight budget, the motor is now a small fraction - so there is very little weight saving in using a smaller motor, and not much additional cost.
Within certain practical limits, heavier motors also draw less amps for a given load, which means more range, even when the increased weight of the motors is taken into account.
The big obstacle to longevity with the motors and the batteries is heat, and again having a massive overhead in normal operation helps.
Of course, you can still make a cheap electric car with a small motor, but the cost differences are now much smaller than comparable ICE cars, so we are going to see a second power revolution for the everyman.
tonyg58 said:
Aside from the previous questions about test drives and repairs etc, am i the only one that thinks building enormous (probably two ton) vehicles (even powered by electricity) that will generally only ever have one person in them is not better for the environment?
Try building smaller cars that use less resources people.
Something like the tiny car with replaceable panels that Gordon Murray designed (T25) perhaps?
Yep, the direction 'we've' taken is completely illogical. Bigger, heavier cars = more raw materials, more damage to the roads on so on. But marketing says electric = green, even if it is 2.5t.Try building smaller cars that use less resources people.
Something like the tiny car with replaceable panels that Gordon Murray designed (T25) perhaps?
The reduction of on-street pollution will be a big positive from this rapid move to EV, but 'we' seem happy to move the actual problems with it elsewhere, or ignore it entirely.
You'd find massive touch screen dashboards on the same page, again completely illogical considering the years spent coming down hard on phone use in cars. The regulators seem to be happy to brush this one under the carpet.
Edited by ch37 on Tuesday 2nd March 17:28
Glad to see I'm not the only one questioning the killing of dealerships.
Even before my back problems started to become a real issue (2 operations, hopefully no more required now the titanium is in) I would not touch a car without knowing I could be comfortable in the seats, and the only way to do that is by trying them. I was actually contemplating a Polestar to replace my Lexus (and maybe also my Zoe at the same time), but if I can't try one I will not consider buying one.
I seriously can't believe there are people out there willing to spend £40-100K+ on a car that may not suit them or they may not be able to get comfortable in.
Even before my back problems started to become a real issue (2 operations, hopefully no more required now the titanium is in) I would not touch a car without knowing I could be comfortable in the seats, and the only way to do that is by trying them. I was actually contemplating a Polestar to replace my Lexus (and maybe also my Zoe at the same time), but if I can't try one I will not consider buying one.
I seriously can't believe there are people out there willing to spend £40-100K+ on a car that may not suit them or they may not be able to get comfortable in.
ExPat2B said:
Of course, you can still make a cheap electric car with a small motor, but the cost differences are now much smaller than comparable ICE cars, so we are going to see a second power revolution for the everyman.
I don't agree on the last point. Electric cars are expensive and are currently targeting the more premium end of the market.Car companies are increasingly moving to a more subscription based model, where they charge a significant fee every month for 'mobility solutions' - which are not cheap. PCP is the start of a slippery slope I feel, where you never really own anything.
I fear that the 'everyman' is being priced out of the market - modern electric cars are the preserve of the rich and well-heeled. I hope this changes, but it hasn't yet (unless you want to buy a Nissan Leaf with a knackered battery).
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