Lynk & Co 01: Are you ready to share your Rechargeable hybrid SUV

If the monthly rental formula is successful beyond expectations, it is not the only way to fall for a Lynk & Co 01. “It’s like Spotify also sold CDs,” laughs Alain Visser. “A customer can always buy us a car in a traditional way and possibly call on one of our partners for funding. But for the moment, rental is 95%privileged “. However, there again, the offer is attractive with a Single price of 41.€ 500 and ultra complete equipment (Panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, hand-free access and start-up, reversing camera, etc.), the Lynk & Co 01 is a little more expensive than its compatriot MG EHS (36.200 € in Luxury finish) and much more affordable than rivals of traditional brands (45.€ 650 for a Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid Shine Pack with nearby equipment). It’s also about 10.000 € less than the Volvo XC40 T5 recharging with whom this new model shares a lot technically, starting with its CMA platform.

Lynk & Co 01: the Chinese SUV that shares the European automotive industry

Lynk & Co 01 will be the very first model manufactured by the eponymous Chinese manufacturer, specially designed and assembled in Europe. Based on its cousin, the Volvo XC40, it will be sold directly on the internet or in showrooms of shopping centers, without going through the traditional concessions.

Posted on 03/26/2018 at 2:49 p.m

The first Chinese manufacturer arrives in Europe to make models directly on the old continent. Lynk & Co, this is his name, was created by Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, first shareholder of Daimler (Mercedes-Benz) and owner of Volvo Cars. Moreover, the model called “01” will be based on the car of the 2018 European Year, the compact Volvo XC40 SUV. “Lynk & Co is the new brand of global urban mobility, which meets the needs and preferences of the connected generation and intends to shake up conventions in the classic automotive industry,” said the manufacturer.

The manufacturer’s ambition is large: “Lynk & Co vehicles will be designed in Sweden and sold worldwide,” he said. The assembly site chosen by Chinese is the Ghent factory, in Belgium, also in charge of manufacturing the XC40 SUV. Combine with such a prestigious brand as Volvo will certainly reassure European customers, which are not inclined to buy Chinese cars. The failure of the manufacturer Qoros, who had tried the experience a few years ago, proves it. Only a few dozen cars had been sold in Europe, before the brand retired from the old continent.

An industrial and commercial strategy that could hit the bull’s eye

Lynk & Co 01 should be particularly profitable to produce. To maximize the profits and efficiency of the assembly chain, only a few options will be available. The commercial argument is to “say goodbye to the endless option lists” since a “Lynk & Co is equipped with everything you need”. But behind this slogan is actually hiding maximization of profitability !

Lynk & Co’s commercial success may well be there. Associating the reputation of Volvo, European manufacturing and competitive prices may well allow Lynk & Co to seduce a large clientele. Especially since this newcomer to the automotive industry is launching with a compact SUV, a very strong growth market segment.

In China, this model simply recorded the best commercial launch in the history of the automobile. On the Internet, Lynk & Co has indeed succeeded in the tour de force to sell 6.000 vehicles in just over two minutes ! Regarding the European market, the Lynk & Co 01 should enter its production phase in 2019, for a commercial outing in stride … or in 2020 at the latest !

Lynk & Co 01: Are you ready to share your Rechargeable hybrid SUV?

Test – New brand founded jointly by Volvo and its Chinese owner Geely, Lynk & Co arrives in France. Its first model, the rechargeable hybrid SUV 01, displays a remarkable price/services ratio, including in an unprecedented subscription formula without commitment.

The Lynk & Co 01 Rechargeable hybrid is a close Chinese cousin of the Volvo XC40. The brand encourages these customers to offer their car in self-sharing.

Challenges – N. Miller

If The arrival of a new automotive brand In the past constituted an event, this is no longer really the case today. Chinese manufacturers now have the maturity necessary to tackle the European market, the new labels flourish! We recently saw the return in force of MG, and the birth of Aiways and Seres. The tour came today for Lynk & Co. While waiting for, no doubt in 2022, Ora, Xpeng and Nio.

The name of Lynk & Co is today completely unknown on the old continent and the many looks of passers -by who frowned to better read the characters inscribed in the back of the SUV 01 during our test. But Behind this new brand, there is a big name from the automobile, since it is a joint venture between Volvo and its Chinese owner Geely. The headquarters of Lynk & Co is located in Göteborg, Sweden, but manufacturing is provided in Ningbo, China, where Geely has several factories and a research and development center. “We planned to also produce 01 in Ghent in Belgium,” says Alain Visser, CEO of Lynk & Co, “but the chain is already struggling to satisfy the success of the Volvo XC40, and the recent addition of the C40 100% electric no longer leaves us room.””

Lynk & Co, the “Netflix of the automobile” for its CEO Alain Visser

At first glance, the Lynk & Co 01 is only a plus hybrid compact SUV more among so many others. It is through its sales method that this new model intends to differentiate itself. “In China, Lynk & Co is a brand like the others, which sells cars in a traditional way”, takes up Alain Visser. “There, buying a car is cool, it is for many customers of their first car and our surveys have proven that they would be offended to rent or share their car. In Europe on the other hand, we want to present ourselves as the automobile nextflix “. The brand highlights a all -inclusive rental formula (maintenance and insurance, regardless of the driver’s profile), without commitment, at € 500 per month. And any user has the possibility, via a menu on the screen, to offer their self-lifting car, to other “members” who do not have a car but would like to use one for a few hours. These can locate the available cars thanks to a smartphone application.

“We aimed to convince 9.000 members in Europe the first year, we already have 30.000, including 4.000 in France!”, is satisfied Alain Visser. “Our members are young, 35 years on average, and a good part of them have never had a car before or come from premium brands”. The formula without commitment (one can terminate from one month to the other) seems quite unprecedented, in a context where the majority of brands highlight leasing more traditional. This implies some specificities, starting with a Grise card in the name of the manufacturer and not the customer. “Contraventions arrive with us and I have a team of twenty people at full time to treat PV!””. This is the reverse of the medal of this formula, since Lynk & Co invoice for file fees each time. With increasingly strong road repression, especially concerning paid parking in large cities, it can quickly become a double penalty for customers. “We will still make sure not to charge file fees for non -valid PVs (for example disabled card holders who still receive parking fines, editor’s note)”, reassures Alain Visser.

If the monthly rental formula is successful beyond expectations, it is not the only way to fall for a Lynk & Co 01. “It’s like Spotify also sold CDs,” laughs Alain Visser. “A customer can always buy us a car in a traditional way and possibly call on one of our partners for funding. But for the moment, rental is 95%privileged “. However, there again, the offer is attractive with a Single price of 41.€ 500 and ultra complete equipment (Panoramic sunroof, heated front seats, hand-free access and start-up, reversing camera, etc.), the Lynk & Co 01 is a little more expensive than its compatriot MG EHS (36.200 € in Luxury finish) and much more affordable than rivals of traditional brands (45.€ 650 for a Citroën C5 Aircross Hybrid Shine Pack with nearby equipment). It’s also about 10.000 € less than the Volvo XC40 T5 recharging with whom this new model shares a lot technically, starting with its CMA platform.

A very flattering Volvo XC40 cousin

Despite its price ratio/advantageous equipment, The Lynk & Co 01 is not a car at a discount. His presentation, already, turns out to be flattering. 4.54 m long, 1.86 m wide and 1.69 m high, this SUV skillfully mixes a classic volume with some original notes. This is the case with headlights integrated into the grille while day optics are relegated to the hood. The 20 -inch rims, two alveoli are painted in blue, recall a fantasy of the Opel Adam. And the rear lights with the worked texture, even lit by day, give a statutory aspect to the stern. Like a Hyundai Tucson or a Citroën C5 Aircross, this newcomer is at the edge between singularity and conformism. A fair dose to attract attention without putting off.

The good surprise continues inside. Lynk & Co defends being a premium brand, and this is noticeable in the recycled nylon upholstery, not very pleasant to the touch. And yet! The seats are as beautiful as they are comfortable and we appreciate the topstitching in two shades of blue which roam a cabin at rather opulent materials. The enveloping central console even makes the atmosphere more chic than on the mid -range versions of the Volvo XC40. Habitability appears generous for the category and, surprised, The trunk is not amputated by the battery, which is mainly lodged in the central tunnel. The volume announced by the brand, of 466 liters, seems pessimistic to us. Perhaps it does not include the double bottom (almost unique on a rechargeable hybrid), which extends in all the floor of the hold and allows the two charging cables easily.

A large 12.7 -inch central screen sits in the middle of the dashboard. If it is beautiful definition, it suffers from a Far too slow software (whether at start -up or during manipulations) and correct, but still perfectible ergonomics (why, for example, having placed the adjustment of track maintenance in the “Voice assistance” menu?)). Fortunately, there are physical orders for air conditioning, with a very neat drawing. And we are delighted with the integration of Spotify directly into the software, which allows you to do without the Bluetooth connection to listen to music in streaming, provided you have a subscription.

Record electrical autonomy for Lynk & Co 01

This first engaging contact continues on the road. If the Lynk & Co 01 shares a lot with the Volvo XC40 T5 recharging, it distinguishes itself by its larger battery, of 17.6 kWh including 14.1 kWh useful (against 10.7 kWh for the Swedish). Result, the autonomy is much higher. We were able to travel 70 km without burning the slightest drop of gasoline, Since the additional series heating (it is optional at Volvo) does not require the heat engine to heat the cabin. It is simply the best value in the category. Approval in electric mode is very correct. Despite the relatively modest power (82 hp), its positioning on the peer ratio tree of the double clutch box designed by CEVT allows it to operate in the second or fourth. Suddenly, liveliness appears sufficient for urban or peri -urban use. The disappointment comes from the load speed: with an on -board charger which is limited to 3.4 kW, it takes 4:30 for a lot of electrons. We therefore recover only a few kilometers of autonomy when you connect your car during a race in a shopping center. Today, a 7 kW charger, or even 11 kW seems the minimum acceptable.

The reverse of the medal of this flattering autonomy is that the entire battery is consumed when the hybrid mode is set by default. There is no buffer to ensure a boost during reminders, which lose their colors once the battery is empty: 7 seconds to go from 80 to 120 km/h against 6 seconds when the battery is full. Fortunately, the sweetness remains with a double clutch automatic gearbox and seven well-managed reports, while the 180 hp three-cylinder petrol is convincing extension. Also, this Lynk & Co 01 is not decked out of the bridle which limits the XC40 to 180 km/h: the top speed is here 210 km/h. The fact remains that, if you never recharge your car, you don’t see the color of the 262 hp promised. Another grievance, the city starts are sometimes done with the only electric motor, even if the battery is almost empty. In this case, the three-cylinder comes into play in disaster after a few seconds, with a deaf vibration. In hybrid mode, we noted a Average consumption of 8.6 l/100 km on a mixed route, what appears correct.

Simply the best compact rechargeable hybrid SUV

If a number of beginner brands drop models on the sometimes hesitant development market, this is not at all the case of Lynk & Co. The 01 shows remarkable homogeneity. The behavior is perfectly reassuring and of interesting agility. The few perceptible trepidations in the city are more to be attributed to the large 20 -inch rims, delivered as standard, to a suspension which does its work in a remarkable manner, despite the lack of piloted damping. The slowders are absorbed with disconcerting ease and the maintenance of cash in dynamic driving bordering on perfection, without the anti -roll bars having an exaggerated effect. The road balance is therefore excellent and we will only regret a slightly elastic direction affected by a slight jam, while the transition between regenerative and physical braking could be more fluid. But we know worse among some more renowned competitors.

This Lynk & Co 01 is therefore quite a surprise. The Sino-Suédoise brand communicates above all on its original mode of sale … to the point of eclipizing the qualities of its rechargeable hybrid SUV. “Driver a real good car” is still written on a slightly hidden page of the Lynk & Co website. We will dare to go further, saying that The 01 is the best choice of its category, including in traditional purchase. No problem concerning maintenance, since the Volvo network is used. So that the biggest defect of this model concerns its possibilities of personalization nonexistent: there is the choice between two colors, blue and black, and that’s all. This is not about to change since Lynk & Co does not plan to launch in Europe the other five models already marketed in China (the compact 02, the sedan 03, the SUV Coupé 05, the UN SUV 06 and Family SUV 09, pending a 7 -seater SUV, 07). “Our goal is not to offer choice to our customers, but to offer a new way of approaching mobility,” concludes Alain Visser. “If we launch a second model, it will be 100% electric”. Too bad for those who hoped to make a real deal with another type of body ..

• Electrical autonomy
• Driving
• Price/equipment ratio
• Road behavior

• Slow load
• Slow screen
• Non -existent customization
• Empty battery performance

• Comfort 4/5
• Road behavior 4/5
• Practical aspects 4/5
• Price/equipment ratio 5/5
• Consumption 4/5
• 3/5 performance
• Quality of presentation 5/5