2024 - Lynk & Co 01 test: a plug-in hybrid SUV for rent and sublet

New satellite brand from Geely, Lynk & Co arrives in Europe. In its boxes, the 01, a plug-in hybrid SUV that cannot be bought, but is rented monthly, or even subleased. All without input or commitment.

Lynk & Co 01: it is neither a new Gundam (Japanese manga in which the protagonists are robots), nor an energy drink, but rather a concept combining car and service (see box). Owned by the Geely group (Volvo, Polestar, Lotus, etc.), Lynk & Co was created in 2016 with a first 100% electric prototype. But since then, the Chinese brand imagined by a Belgian, Alain Visseur, and whose head office is located in Sweden, has changed its mind. Indeed, exit electric and up to a plug-in hybrid vehicle called 01.

Externally, it is difficult to guess any family link with the Volvo XC40. Gone is the wise side of Swedish, from which he nevertheless takes over the CMA platform. The Lynk & Co 01 is more of the athletic type, with a muscular build when viewed from three quarters. The grille is a mixture of Porsche Macan and Kia Sportage (old version). We can not help but notice that the headlights, which go up high on either side of the front fenders, evoke a certain Italian brand whose emblem is a prancing horse.

The rear is of the same ilk, with headlights that encroach on the tailgate on either side. Here too, the inspiration seems to come from South Korea, especially from Hyundai.

Another distinctive touch, electric blue inserts that can be found everywhere: on the upper lip of the grille, on the rims and on the high contours of the windows. In short, the design of this 01 does not leave us indifferent, and this also seems to be the case for the people crossed, who seem to wonder about this line and this logo.

In terms of size, compared to the Volvo XC40 PHEV, the Lynk & Co 01 is 12 cm longer, at 4.54 meters, 4 cm higher but also 1.3 cm lower in terms of ground clearance. In terms of competition, only the Ford Kuga PHEV and MG EHS PHEV are larger.

Big drums under the skirt

Under the hood, a plug-in hybrid engine combining a three-cylinder 1.5 l petrol engine of 180 hp for a torque of 265 Nm and a 60 kW (80 hp) electric motor for a torque of 165 Nm takes place. The set is associated with a 7-speed automatic transmission. The maximum speed is 210 km / h, while the exercise from 0 to 100 km / h is carried out in 8 seconds.

As for the battery, its useful capacity of 14.1 kWh (17.5 kWh gross) offers, on paper, a range of 69 km in the WLTP combined cycle, increased to 89 km in the WLTP urban cycle. The recharging time is 5 hours on a domestic socket.

Plush interior and sporty touch

The interior is as neat as the exterior line, especially with semi-bucket seats whose two-tone color gives a sporty touch. Their maintenance is correct.

Installed in the driver’s seat, we find here and there the same controls as on the Volvo XC40, whether it is the multifunction steering wheel, the switches or the entire gearbox. There is also an induction charging and a central armrest offering a storage space in which are integrated USB-C and USB-A sockets as well as a 12 V socket. Note, the rear passengers also benefit from USB-C sockets. and USB-A.

On the other, the dashboard of the Volvo XC40 Recharge.

On one side, the dashboard of the Lynk & Co 01.

What differentiates the two vehicles is the layout of the dashboard, with full feedback on the Lynk & Co 01. That of the Volvo being split in the middle just under the 9-inch touchscreen (22-inch diagonal, 86 cm).

Moreover, the Link & Co 01 touchscreen is 12.7 inches (32.25 cm diagonal) while the instrument cluster displays 12.3 inches (31.24 cm diagonal). In terms of use, infotainment differs from Volvo with a better thought-out and more intuitive architecture. Note, however, in favor of Volvo a marked improvement in ergonomics since the switch to Google Automotive.

However, the 01 infotainment displays a certain slowness when it comes to entering a specific function. Nothing prohibitive knowing that Lynk & Co makes up for it by being compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both wireless – which is far from the standard for Android Auto.

The rear passengers are rather well received with a considerable space intended for the knees, even for the person (adult) seated in the middle. If the loading threshold is a little too high, the trunk offers a capacity varying from 466 liters, in conventional configuration, to 1213 liters, seats folded. Note that the completely flat floor conceals a storage space for various small items or charging cables.

A second trunk is hidden under the floor.

The trunk of the Lynk & Co offers a flat floor.

A treadmill

It’s time for us to hit the road for a tiny two hour test drive. First observation, the irregularities of the Parisian cobblestones are well filtered, in part thanks to the comfort of the seats. The shock absorbers for their part offer a satisfactory performance, even if their adjustment is a bit firm.

Despite boasting a combined output of 261hp and equipped with what appears to be a good chassis, the Lynk & Co 01 is not a sports car to manhandle around corners or roundabouts. On the contrary, he is more fond of a casting, even cushy under its false air of a bodybuilt SUV. To stop the 2.35 tonnes of the Lynk & Co 01, you should not hesitate to call on the brake pedal unceremoniously, which, moreover, respond well. Note also that this Lynk & Co 01 benefits from excellent soundproofing, even when the thermal is triggered. This observation being made only in town and on the road. It remains to be seen during a more extensive test what that would give at 130 km / h.

Autonomy that goes the distance

During our test, we were able to test all three driving modes, namely “Pure“, for fully electric driving, especially in town”Hybrid” and “Power“(corresponding to a sport mode).

On a 70 km route, we noted an average consumption of 9.1 kWh / 100 km and 4.7 l / 100 km once the battery was empty. It is likely that the 69 km of mixed autonomy announced will be there, but here again a more in-depth test will tell us more.

Why pay more when everything is included?

In the end, this Lynk & Co 01 is a good surprise. No wonder though, since it has the same genes as the Volvo XC40 Recharge. Except that the 01 costs € 41,500 (excluding the € 1,000 bonus) against € 47,600 for the Volvo XC40 Recharge T4 211 hp in Standard finish. The pure electric range of the Volvo does not exceed 45 km (WLTP combined cycle).

The competition, on the other hand, is fierce: Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, Citroën C5 Aircross, Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross PHEV, Opel GrandLand X PHEV or even the Hyundai / Kia duo … However, not all of them necessarily hold the rope on the price side. Only the MG EHS PHEV is cheaper (€ 31,700), but its electric range is only 52 km.

Finally, since we had not mentioned it previously, it is worth mentioning the equipment such as the voice assistant (Hey Franck) with a female voice and endowed with a certain sense of humor (see photo below). above), the adaptive intelligent cruise control (ACC +), the camera for recognizing road signs, the full range of driving aids including the blind spot warning, and incidentally an interior camera for selfies. After-sales service is provided through the Volvo network.

Lynk & Co: a car on demand and a Club
Today, some large municipalities limit access to their city center to vehicles, regardless of the motorization. This raises the question of the relevance of owning a car or not, especially as car-sharing services are developing here and there. In addition to car-sharing, we are witnessing the emergence of a new service offering called “car on demand”. The idea is to rent a vehicle on a monthly basis without any commitment or contribution, but still with the insurance and maintenance included in the package. Among the actors, a newcomer from China, Lynk & Co.
Behind this brand whose name is more reminiscent of an accounting firm or a private detective agency, hides a “different concept“says Alain Visseur, its creator.
This Belgian, who spent 35 years in the automobile (Ford, GM and Volvo), decided to “his job a revolution“against his past. He blames the automobile,”this industry so big, so powerful, so arrogant“, of not having known how to renew itself and adapt to new uses. And to cite Netflix, Spotify or Tesla as an example.
When Geely asked Alain Visseur to “fabricate“a new manufacturer, he replied that yet another brand in an already crowded market would bring nothing.
Instead, he therefore suggested that Lynk & Co, although viewed primarily as a brand, could be an on-demand car service. On the menu, only one vehicle, the 01, a plug-in hybrid based on the Volvo XC40. The Lynk & Co 01 is only available in two colors: black or blue.
Although it is possible to buy it in cash (41,500 €), the philosophy is rather to borrow the said vehicle for 500 € / month, including insurance and maintenance, all without contribution. This package includes 15,000 km / year or 1,250 km / month. In the event of exceeding, each additional km is invoiced 0.15 €. If the 1,250 km are not consumed during the month, they are carried over to the next one.
Like Tesla, whose sales channel is mainly online sales, everything is done exclusively through the internet. No question of picking up your vehicle in a dealership. It can be delivered to your doorstep or picked up at a Lynk & Co club.
Lynk & Co, also offers club membership, “a space for sharing and meeting where it will be possible to familiarize yourself with the car and the brand’s universe, to participate in events and workshops, to treat yourself to carefully selected products or simply to have a drink“Says Alain Visseur. Seven clubs are operating for the moment (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Stockholm and Gothenburg) and those in Paris, Barcelona, Rome and Milan should open soon.
In addition, the Lynk & Co model gives you the possibility of subletting your vehicle – when it is not in use – via a dedicated mobile application which goes so far as to advise you on rental prices. An option that allows you to reduce your monthly payments.
You can sublet your Lynk & Co 01 and send a digital key to the rental company’s smartphone.
Lynk & Co has some 35,000 European members, including 4,000 in France, who have opted for the non-binding plan at € 500 / month. It is possible to register for Club Lynk & Co without going through the “package owner” box since 50,000 people have registered only to take advantage of car-sharing and activities.