Geely launched their all-new global car brand the Lynk & Co last night in Berlin. Their first product is a modern, mid-sized, tech-laden SUV called the 01. The car will make its debut in China next year and will make its way to global markets of Europe and American by 2018.
The 01 becomes the first car to be made around the Complex Modular Architecture platform (CMA) which was jointly developed by Geely and Volvo. Given the numerical name of the vehicle, it could mean the future upcoming cars from the brand can be dubbed as the 02, 03, 04 or likewise. The SUV is similar to Volvo’s XC40 with which it shares the platform, electrical architecture, engines and many of its advanced safety systems.
One thing the Lynk & Co 01 boasts is being “the most connected car to date”, with the company proclaiming that the 01 will always be connected to the internet and to Lynk & Co’s own cloud. Then there is a ‘share my car’ button on the touchscreen which enables the user to control, monitor share or rent the car with other people, who want modern mobility but not necessarily need to own a car. The brand’s cars will be sold directly online or in Lynk & Co-owned stores, including pop-up stores. Prices will be fixed and transparent. The cars will be delivered to the customer or can be collected for the servicing at a touch of a button, or even for the resale. The company will also provide subscription sale models.
By the looks of it, the 01 is a distinctive looking SUV, with subjective styling. Designing a new car for a new brand is always going to be a tough task, be it be the top mounted lamps and wide horizontal meshed or cascading grille. At the rear, the black band with Lynk & Co lavish chrome lettering, futuristic looking LED tail lamps and tall stance combine with smooth flowing surfaces to give the car a proper European air. On the inside, the 10-inch infotainment touchscreen occupies the centre console with high-class looking material and finishes for the steering and other interior surfaces, with Volvo inspiration looking certain.
Powering the car will be Volvo’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol and the existing 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol. A plug-in hybrid is imminent, owing to the flexibility of the CMA architecture. The transmission will be a conventional manual or a dual-clutch automatic sending power to a front- or all-wheel drive.
Along with the 01 SUV was the CMA-based low-slung four-door coupe sports car, which is indicative of the brand's future cars. The Lynk & Co is an ambitious brand with many innovative features and plans for the car. It will be a first mainstream Chinese car brand to in Europe and America. By 2021 the Lynk & Co range will have total four vehicles including a three-box four-door sedan, a five-door hatchback, and a crossover.
