Lynk & Co 03 makes its debut at Chengdu Motor Show

The Lynk & Co 03 has finally been revealed at this year’s Chengdu Motor Show, just over a month after the first few images of the model surfaced. The 03 is the company’s first sedan, and joins the existing 01 and 02 crossovers in China, with a rollout in Europe coming in the future.

Styling-wise, the 03 features the dual-tier headlights like the rest of its stablemates, with the upper units being LED daytime running lights, while the ones integrated in the grille at the main lamps. The side view reveals a conventional three-box design with highlights being a prominent line that starts from the top of the front wheel and progresses through the door handles and fuel filler cap to the taillights in the rear.

There’s also a chrome trim piece at the top of the side windows that flow down the D-pillars parallel to the rear windscreen. As for the rear, it is a rather busy place as characterised by the sporty bumper and accompanying diffuser element. The taillights follow the “family look” associated with Lynk & Co cars, with the company name place in the middle of the clusters. Dual tailpipes and a black lip spoiler on the boot are other aspects you’ll find at the back.

With the reveal, we finally get to see what life inside the 03 is like, which is rather similar to the 01 and 02. While not a carbon copy of those models, the 03’s dashboard adopts the familiar rectangular-shaped air-con vents with chrome embellishments on them.

The first of the two screens is right in front of the driver, acting as a digital instrument cluster. Meanwhile, a large touchscreen for the infotainment system sits in the middle of the dash, with the gear selector, electronic parking brake (with auto hold) and drive mode dial in the centre console.

As the Geely-owned company describes its cars as ‘smartphones on wheels’, the 03’s telematics systems ensure it is always connected to the internet with free data. It also comes with what is claimed to be the an in-car share button, along with wireless charging and a dedicated app store.

Given the relations between Lynk & Co, Geely and Volvo, the 03 is underpinned by the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) also found in the Volvo XC40. Turbocharged engine options include a 1.5 litre three-cylinder (148 hp) and 2.0 litre four-cylinder (187 hp), with a plug-in hybrid version arriving later on. The PHEV is based on the T5 Twin Engine powertrain found in Volvo’s baby SUV, which employs a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder, electric motor and seven-speed dual-clutch.

Lynk & Co wants to be a brand for the digital generation, and to that end the company aims to deliver a range of ownership options beyond the usual purchase, hire purchase and leasing routes. There’s a subscription service in the works, similar to Volvo’s Care by Volvo, plus the ability to share your car with other people through a digital key, using a “Share” button in the infotainment system.

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