SPYSHOTS: Lynk & Co 01, 02 and 03 seen in Malaysia!

SPYSHOTS: Lynk & Co 01, 02 and 03 seen in Malaysia!

The entire range of Lynk & Co models, including the 01 SUV, 02 compact crossover and 03 sedan, has been spotted in Malaysia by several paultan.org readers. All across the peninsular, because the ones snapped by Parhelia are from mules spotted in Kuantan, and from Neoh Perng King, in Penang.

As with an earlier sighting of the 01, all these cars are barely camouflaged and are marked as left-hand drive vehicles. Their presence further strengthens the belief that Zhejiang Geely will use Proton’s Tanjung Malim plant to build right-hand drive versions of Lynk & Co models.

The mules running around are likely being used to evaluate and develop RHD conversions that will allow Lynk & Co models to be sold in RHD markets within and outside the ASEAN region. While the evidence may present this as a certainty, without official word from the relevant parties, we’ll have to label this as a possibility for now.

Currently, production of the 01 has already begun in China, a LHD market, and will reportedly be expanded to Volvo’s plant in Ghent, Belgium and South Carolina, USA – the former caters to RHD countries and markets in Europe. Malaysia’s possible addition to this list should help widen Lynk & Co’s production network further.

It’s hard to confirm what powertrains are being employed in these test cars, but all three Lynk & Co models are available with 1.5 three-cylinder or 2.0 litre four-pot turbo petrol engines. The former serves as the base for a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which will also be offered for all three models, albeit with different rollout times.

Another similar trait across the three models is they utilise the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform that also underpins the Volvo XC40.

SPYSHOTS: Lynk & Co 01, 02 and 03 seen in Malaysia!

Click to enlarge

Proton has already announced that its Tanjung Malim facility will be transformed into an R&D and production hub for right-hand drive models within the Geely Group, which includes Lynk & Co. However, whether these Malaysian-built Lynk & Co models (if it happens) will be for export only, or for local consumption as well, remains to be seen.

There’s also another pressing question: will these Lynk & Co models be used as the basis for upcoming Proton models? We’re inclined to say no for now, because Proton has already secured the use of intellectual properties (IP) and the rights to manufacture and sell three Geely models, namely the Geely Boyue (Proton X70) plus two models – the Binyue SUV (SX11) and Jiaji MPV (VF11). It would make more sense for the national carmaker to focus on getting these cars to market first.

Of course, nothing is set in stone and the situation may change in the future, so we’ll have to wait for more details. In the meantime, we’ve attached a summary of dimensions for all the vehicles mentioned in this article above for you to make your assumptions. Don’t forget to share them in the comments section below.

GALLERY: Lynk & Co 01

GALLERY: Lynk & Co 02

GALLERY: Lynk & Co 03

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Gerard Lye

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

 

Comments

  • Kita Sokong China on Jan 17, 2019 at 7:41 pm

    Good la. Malaysians loves Chinese cars

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
  • Vincent Ang on Jan 17, 2019 at 8:31 pm

    In making use of our road for testing, all this Lynk & Co car mules must pay us triple roadtax ,

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 12
  • RIP Arus…hanyut dibawa arus…

    dang..choose between binyue or these 02 crossover…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 2
  • Operation Manager on Jan 17, 2019 at 9:32 pm

    feeling proud getting to see future of global automobiles tested here. But same time, felt damn sad to know after 34 long years. what P1 had actually learned from car making , probly this a little reflection of local working culture and mindset supported by previous govt regime many miserable policies.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 6
    • Izham Sham on Jan 18, 2019 at 10:27 pm

      Spot on assessment on fault of previous govt regime i.e. current PM. He was the one that saddled Proton with its uncompetitive culture and bad debts. Protectionism, multiple bailouts & bad acquisitions.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 0
      • Abd Khalid on Jan 19, 2019 at 10:10 pm

        Exactly. Affirmative policy and DEB tongkat culture gone horribly wrong from the 1960s’

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • With Geely, locals get to work with exciting high tech cars like these L&C 01, 02, 03.
    If with Jepunis lords, locals only can work with 3rd world exclusive dinosar junks.

    P1, Geely, L&C, Mesidis, VolvoCar, VolvoTrucks, Lotus > all

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
  • I suspect these might just be testing the 1.5L 3pots in typical MY environ and road usage conditions. Thou too soon to say, I hope its a sign that the long wait for CKD to start is becoz they will intro this engine for CKD X70 during launch.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • So TM plant will assembly RHD Lynk & Co and export to ASEAN and Middle East.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Fareed on Jan 18, 2019 at 12:39 pm

      At least learning from Thailand rather keep insisting making dinasour Protiga own national car at the expensive of hard earn rakyat money to subsidies those useless chronies once again.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • newme on Jan 18, 2019 at 9:06 am

    See how the “spyshots” only shooting the rear. Too embarrassed to show the Jar Jar Binks front.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 7
  • Not Toyota Fan on Jan 18, 2019 at 10:43 am

    Won’t be surprised if Geely opens L&C here at a later date. Gotta understand market segmentation. One brand for low (Proton), one mid (L&C) & one high (Volvo).

    One smart move by L&C is the flexible ownership, car sharing and subscription ownership overseas (which may not work here).

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • ash@geely on Jan 18, 2019 at 12:10 pm

    Hey!

    Thanks for the LYNK & CO love. Geely are using Malaysia and especially Proton’s facilities/staff for hot weather testing. Get used to seeing more LYNK products on Malaysian roads!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Newme on Jan 18, 2019 at 5:39 pm

    Want to spread the news, just say lah. Pura pura “I suspect… “

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Anything China related, better think twice…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 6
 

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