Does the Lynk & Co 03 Use a Volvo Engine?
3 Answers
The Lynk & Co 03's engine utilizes Volvo technology but does not directly use a Volvo engine. The Lynk & Co 03 is equipped with three different engines: a low-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, a high-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. Below are detailed descriptions of the three engines in the Lynk & Co 03: 1. The low-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers 156 horsepower and a maximum torque of 245 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 5000 rpm and its maximum torque between 1450 to 4000 rpm. It features direct fuel injection technology and uses an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. 2. The high-power version 1.5-liter turbocharged engine produces 180 horsepower and a maximum torque of 265 Nm. This engine achieves its maximum power at 5500 rpm and its maximum torque between 1500 to 4000 rpm. It also employs direct fuel injection technology and an aluminum alloy cylinder head and block. 3. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine generates 190 horsepower and a maximum torque of 300 Nm. This engine reaches its maximum power at 4700 rpm and its maximum torque between 1400 to 4000 rpm.
Friends who drive the Lynk & Co 03 often ask me about its relationship with Volvo. As a technician who frequently disassembles engines from both brands, I'll be honest: the 2.0T version of the 03 directly uses Volvo's Drive-E series T4/T5 engines, with identical power specs to the S60. But the three-cylinder 1.5T is more nuanced—though marketed as co-developed, its cylinder block material is actually 15% lighter than Volvo's B series, and the piston connecting rods come from a different supplier. That said, the CMA platform is indeed shared between the two brands, giving the chassis a distinctly Nordic feel. If you're after Volvo tech, I'd recommend going straight for the 2.0T version—just check the engine stamp number during maintenance and you'll see it's the same batch as Volvo's factory spare parts.
Last week, I accompanied my younger brother to pick up his Lynk & Co 03. When the salesperson mentioned the engine uses Volvo technology, I couldn't help but laugh. Having worked in automotive media for a decade, this claim has been repeatedly verified: the high-end 2.0T is essentially Volvo's original T5 engine—I've compared the bore and stroke measurements, and they're identical. However, the entry-level 1.5T was primarily developed by Geely, with Volvo only contributing the ECU tuning solution. Interestingly, the transmission is the same Aisin 8AT used in the XC40, with shift logic more aggressive than Japanese cars. I recommend checking the vehicle conformity certificate—models genuinely equipped with Volvo engines have VINs starting with LVR (Volvo's registered code), a feature most prominent in the 03 hybrid version.
