Northern Group Car of the Year 2022: Volvo C40 Takes Electric Vehicle Class Win
The new Volvo C40 Recharge has won the Electric Vehicle category in the Northern Group of Motoring Writers’ Car of the Year voting, taking a place on the final six-car shortlist for the overall title.
Hitting the UK market earlier this year, the C40 is the first exclusively battery-electric vehicle (BEV) from Volvo, based on the electric version of the XC40, and both cars share underpinnings with the Polestar 2.
It’s available in single and twin-motor forms, with the latter providing 402hp — 201hp on each axle — and a 274-mile range from a 75kWh (net) battery pack. The C40 is also packed with technology, including an unusual way to start and stop the car: you get into or out of it.
NGMW’s membership voted on the best EVs of 2022, with the C40 Recharge beating the Citroen Ami and Genesis GV60 to claim the class win. Volvo provided a twin-motor car for the Car of the Year driving day, at which attending members drove the various offerings and selected their favourites.
Reflecting on the Volvo’s class win Julie Marshall, former chair of the Northern Group and part of the 13-member judging panel at the driving day, explained:
The race to launch a full range of electric cars before the government ban on new petrol and diesel cars in 2030 meant there was a lot of competition in the EV class, and the Volvo C40 Recharge is a worthy winner. It’s a fast and efficient, good-looking coupe with exemplary green credentials and offers a comfortable ride.
As one of the six category winners, the Volvo C40 Recharge is in with a chance of taking the overall Car of the Year title, pending the outcome of the secret ballot of judges at the driving day.
Whichever car wins, the results will be revealed at the SMMT Test Day North, and the winning manufacturer’s press office will take home the coveted “Arthur” award.
