
LINK&CO is a brand name, known as Lynk & Co in Chinese. It is a premium joint venture brand between Auto and Volvo Cars. Here is some information about Lynk & Co: 1. Lynk & Co utilizes the CMA architecture, which is a Compact Modular Architecture for mid-size vehicles jointly developed by Volvo Cars and Geely Auto, originating from Geely's European R&D Center. 2. The CMA platform offers flexibility and scalability, suitable for various body styles and vehicle sizes. It supports both traditional and new energy powertrains, including HEV hybrid and PHEV plug-in hybrid systems, and is compatible with multiple powertrain configurations. This enables the creation of vehicles equipped with active safety, intelligent driving, and connectivity technologies for users.

I just researched the Lynk & Co brand, a cutting-edge automotive brand jointly created by and Volvo, with the Chinese name "领克" (Lingke). It was first launched in 2016 and is headquartered in Gothenburg, Sweden, giving it a very international vibe. Lynk & Co's cars are positioned in the affordable luxury segment, with eye-catching designs—split headlights and full-width taillights have now become signature family features. They love to innovate, pioneering a monthly subscription ownership model and opting for urban showrooms over traditional 4S dealerships. Currently, their lineup includes the 01 to 09 series, ranging from compact SUVs to mid-to-large SUVs. The hybrid versions use powertrain technology derived from Volvo's T5, offering quick acceleration and low fuel consumption, with sporty chassis tuning that should appeal to younger drivers.

Recently test drove my friend's new Lynk & Co 05 and was pleasantly surprised. This brand belongs to Group but operates in a very trendy way, directly competing with those second-tier luxury brands. The design has a Nordic simplicity yet maintains individuality, with interior materials being more substantial than joint-venture cars in the same class - the combination of alcantara and genuine leather gives a premium feel. Their infotainment system uses Qualcomm's 8155 chip, making the voice assistant lightning fast, and supports OTA updates which outperforms traditional brands. The driving experience leans towards European-style tuning with solid high-speed cornering support, and the 2.0T version can sprint 0-100km/h in under 6 seconds. However, the rear seating is slightly cramped, and while the trunk design is deep, the opening is somewhat narrow - families with children might need to consider this carefully.

Lynk & Co is the premium sub-brand under Holding, utilizing the CMA platform co-developed with Volvo for vehicle production. Its current lineup covers the SUV segment, with the 01 being a compact model, the 05 a crossover coupe SUV, and the 09 a mid-to-large seven-seater. Powertrain options include pure gasoline and hybrid versions, with the hybrid system delivering a combined output of up to 390 horsepower. Safety features carry strong Volvo DNA, with standard six airbags and autonomous emergency braking across the range, while mid-to-high trims add blind-spot monitoring and automatic parking. The infotainment system supports gesture controls like three-finger screen swiping, and the HUD projects navigation and speed information, with driving assistance reaching L2+ level.

Following Lynk & Co for over two years, I've witnessed its evolution from the 01 to the 09 series. The brand positions itself with a youthful, tech-savvy vibe, featuring signature design elements like the 'Aurora Borealis' daytime running lights and 'Energy Crystal' taillights. Its model is quite unique – orders can be placed directly on the official website, while offline experience stores are located in shopping malls. The vehicle pricing falls within the 150,000-300,000 RMB range, with the hybrid version being particularly cost-effective due to exemption from purchase tax. Having driven the 01 hybrid model, I found its combined fuel consumption around 4.5L/100km impressively economical. The 1.5T engine feels slightly sluggish at initial acceleration but delivers smooth power delivery once the electric motor kicks in. Noise insulation ranks among the best in its class, though tire noise becomes somewhat noticeable at high speeds. Among owner communities, the most frequent feedback points to maintenance costs being slightly higher than average domestic brands.

My colleague just picked up a Lynk & Co 08, and after some research, I found this brand quite interesting. The logo consists of two three-dimensional lines symbolizing the concept of connection and sharing – indeed, they were early adopters in car-sharing. The entire lineup comes standard with panoramic sunroofs and headlights, with the top-tier 09 model even featuring air suspension. The infotainment system uses the Flyme Auto OS, allowing navigation to be swiped from the center display to the instrument cluster with a three-finger gesture. The interior space is thoughtfully designed, with an almost completely flat rear floor and exceptionally deep door panel storage compartments. In terms of powertrain, the EM-P hybrid system delivers a real-world fuel consumption of 5.8L/100km when running on battery depletion mode, with a maximum range of 1,400 km on a full charge and tank. However, the wireless charging pad placement isn't very convenient for phone retrieval, and the cup holders lack stabilizers, making them prone to rattling – these small details still have room for improvement.


