
The Lynk & Co 03 has both three-cylinder and four-cylinder models. The Lynk & Co 03 is a compact sedan under the Lynk & Co brand, with body dimensions of 4639mm in length, 1840mm in width, and 1460mm in height, and a wheelbase of 2730mm. This car is equipped with two types of engines: one is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, and the other is a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine. The 1.5-liter turbocharged engine delivers a maximum horsepower of 180 hp and a maximum torque of 265 Nm, with the maximum power achieved at 5500 rpm and the maximum torque available from 1500 to 4000 rpm. The 2.0-liter turbocharged engine produces a maximum horsepower of 190 hp and a maximum torque of 300 Nm, with the maximum power achieved at 4700 rpm and the maximum torque available from 1400 to 4000 rpm.

The engine configuration of the Lynk & Co 03 is quite interesting. The standard family version mostly uses a 1.5T three-cylinder engine with 180 horsepower, which is sufficient for daily commuting. During my test drive, I noticed slight vibrations at startup, but it smoothed out while driving. The performance-oriented 03+ model, however, features a 2.0T four-cylinder engine with 254 horsepower, delivering impressive power. When choosing a car, you need to decide between fuel efficiency and driving excitement—three-cylinder engines are more economical with cheaper , while four-cylinder engines offer smoother performance and stronger power. The latest 1.5T three-cylinder engine has been upgraded with a 48V mild-hybrid system, making it noticeably smoother than my colleague’s older model.

My neighbor just got a Lynk & Co 03, and I learned through our chat that this car comes with two powertrain options. The standard version features a three-cylinder 1.5T engine. Despite having only three cylinders, the tuning is really impressive—it accelerates quite swiftly when you floor the throttle, with fuel consumption just over 6L/100km. Last time I rode in his car, I specifically noticed a slight vibration in the steering wheel at idle, but it's much better than the three-cylinder engines from five years ago. If you're after more power, you can opt for the four-cylinder 03+ version. The exhaust note during acceleration is particularly thrilling, though it costs nearly 50,000 yuan more and requires 95-octane fuel, making it less economical for daily use.

The Lynk & Co 03 comes in standard and performance versions with completely different engines. The commonly seen white 03 on the road uses Lynk & Co's own 1.5T inline three-cylinder engine, delivering 132 kW which is perfectly adequate for this car. I've studied its direct fuel injection technology - the combustion efficiency is truly impressive, with urban fuel consumption as low as 6.9L/100km. The 03+ version is more premium, featuring a T5-derived 2.0T four-cylinder engine producing over 250 horsepower with AWD, delivering strong acceleration. Choose the three-cylinder for economy, or go for the four-cylinder 03+ for thrills.

My friend hesitated about the three-cylinder engine before a Lynk & Co 03, but after driving it for half a year, he actually praised its fuel efficiency. The standard 03 series all come with a three-cylinder 1.5T engine, which provides ample power for city commuting—it accelerates faster than a Civic from a red light. However, during a test drive, it's advisable to place a bottle of water on the dashboard; you can see slight ripples in the water during a cold start. The performance version, the 03+, features a genuine four-cylinder engine with 254 horsepower paired with an Aisin 8AT transmission, making it exceptionally stable when overtaking on highways. Currently, dealerships mainly promote the three-cylinder version due to the half-price purchase tax and free maintenance offers.

At my auto repair shop, we frequently service Lynk & Co 03 models. The three-cylinder version has an especially compact engine bay. That 1.5T three-cylinder engine is quite hassle-free to maintain - you don't even need to remove the intake manifold when changing spark plugs. However, pay attention to the engine mounts as they wear out faster; they should be inspected by 40,000 km, otherwise idle vibration becomes noticeable. The performance 03+ with its four-cylinder engine has a more complex structure, but the technology proves reliable - I've seen examples with 80,000 km still maintaining cylinder pressure close to new car levels. The newer models now feature 48V mild hybrid systems, and the vibration control in three-cylinder versions has indeed shown significant improvement.


