The Lynk & Co 01 is the inaugural trailblazer and flagship halo model launched in 2017 by Lynk & Co—a premium joint-venture marque established by Geely Auto Group and Volvo Cars. Built on the world-class CMA platform, this C-segment SUV was among the earliest Chinese-backed vehicles to break into the RM150,000 to RM200,000 mainstream joint-venture territory, shattering traditional brand-premium ceilings. It also spearheaded the brand's global vision of "European design, global manufacturing, and global sales". Following several generational updates, the range now spans pure petrol high-output variants (Drive-E 2.0TD) and plug-in hybrid options (EM-P duo), with official retail pricing starting from RM149,800 to RM217,800 (with the ICE Renewed Edition dipping to a promotional launch price of RM118,800 with bundled perks).
At its core, the Lynk & Co 01 is engineered as a "premium, all-round global crossover". It marries sharp European driving dynamics with cutting-edge smart tech typically seen in new-age EV start-ups. Measuring 4,549 mm in overall length, this standard C-segment SUV takes the fight directly to established CKD and CBU rivals like the Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace/Tiguan L, Honda CR-V, and Toyota RAV4, while its EM-P PHEV powertrain provides a formidable alternative to rival electrified nameplates.
Styling-wise, the model showcases the brand's signature "Mega-city Contrast" design philosophy, marked by its distinctive "Aurora Borealis" DRLs and full-width rhythmic LED taillight bar. Key selling propositions include a standard Volvo-derived T5 high-output lump mated to an Aisin 8-speed automatic transmission across the range, a 6th-generation BorgWarner intelligent AWD system, the Lynk OS N infotainment suite, and comprehensive China-Europe dual five-star safety credentials derived from Volvo.
Brand Inception and Global Debut (2017–2020): In November 2017, the Lynk & Co 01 made its official debut in China, quickly capturing market attention through its Volvo-backed engineering and avant-garde urban styling. By 2020, Lynk & Co rolled out its "Europe Strategy", setting up parallel production lines in Belgium alongside domestic manufacturing facilities and entering core European markets via both vehicle subscription schemes and outright retail sales—marking a watershed moment for Chinese-owned premium passenger cars going global.
CMA Upgrades and Smart EM-P Rollout (2021–2024): The 01 received a major mid-life facelift, standardising the higher-output 2.0TD T5 powertrain across the board. In response to rapid electrification across the market, the brand introduced the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P plug-in hybrid. Featuring a dedicated 1.5TD hybrid engine paired with a 3-speed DHT multi-mode hybrid transmission, it achieved an impressive low-battery fuel consumption figure of just 5.1 L/100km without blunting its engaging European chassis characteristics.
Value-for-Money Refresh and Multi-Device Ecosystem Integration (2025–2026): The latest iteration sees the full rollout of the updated Lynk & Co 01 line-up (including the latest 2026 model year updates). Alongside a revised pricing strategy (with early-bird pricing lowered to RM118,800), the SUV received a massive cabin tech revamp: a 15.4-inch ultra-slim bezel floating infotainment display as standard, complete with native support for Flyme Link, HUAWEI HiCar, and Carlink multi-device ecosystems, cementing its position as an unbeatable value proposition in the RM150,000 ICE/PHEV SUV category.
As the foundational pillar of the brand, the Lynk & Co 01 consistently punches above its weight in terms of price-to-performance appeal. Domestically, it has struck a chord with urban PMETs, road-trippers, and tech-savvy families who are not ready to jump straight into pure BEVs, yet find the equipment levels and plain driving dynamics of mainstream Japanese/continental rivals underwhelming. Its robust chassis setup and strong residual value reputation make it a common sight in affluent coastal regions. On the global front, the Lynk & Co 01 (including export-spec PHEV variants) is widely distributed across core European territories like the Netherlands, Sweden, and Germany, as well as high-spec right-hand drive (RHD) markets across Southeast Asia and the Middle East, cementing the brand's standing on the world stage.
The Lynk & Co 01 brings together the best of Geely and Volvo's joint R&D expertise across powertrain engineering, rigid dual-five-star safety crash structures, and smart device connectivity:
Drive-E T5 Powertrain (Pure ICE Highlight): Unlike rivals that offer detuned entry-level variants, the updated 01 features the punchy 2.0TD T5 high-output four-cylinder engine as standard. It produces a robust 187 kW (254 PS) and 350 Nm of torque. Channelling drive through an Aisin 8-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox (8AT), the century sprint (0–100 km/h) is dispatched in a swift 6.8 seconds.
BorgWarner AWD and European-Tuned Chassis: High-spec grades (such as the Dark Night Exploration Edition) are equipped with the 6th-generation BorgWarner intelligent AWD system, offering 10% quicker torque vectoring response. Underpinned by front MacPherson struts and rear multi-link independent suspension tuned to European benchmarks, the SUV achieves an impressive 35-metre 100–0 km/h emergency braking distance, balancing daily commuting agility with confident light off-road stability.
15.4-inch Central Display & Connected Digital Cockpit: The cabin features a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster alongside a newly upgraded 15.4-inch ultra-slim floating central touchscreen (with ultra-narrow bezels and anti-glare coating). Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 processor with 16GB of RAM, it runs the responsive Lynk OS N interface. Beyond intelligent AI voice commands, its crowning feature is native seamless cross-platform pairing via Flyme Link (for Meizu devices), HUAWEI HiCar, and Carlink, ensuring comprehensive smartphone mirroring across devices.
Triple-Zero Eco Cabin and Dual 5-Star Body Structure: Drawing from Volvo's renowned safety DNA, the body uses a high proportion of hot-stamped boron steel and high-tensile aluminium to create an ultra-rigid safety cage. It packs 27 active driver assistance (ADAS) features as standard, including Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Auto Lane Change (ALC). Inside, the cabin prioritises occupant health using "triple-zero" eco-friendly materials—zero asphalt, zero recycled scrap cotton, and zero harmful solvents—complemented by integrated recycled suede sports seats to keep the cabin strictly low-VOC and odour-free.
As the global automotive industry moves towards end-to-end software integration and multi-energy vehicle architectures, the Lynk & Co 01 roadmap will focus on key pillars: regular over-the-air (FOTA) updates to continuously refine Lynk OS N and ensure long-term third-party smartphone protocol compatibility; fine-tuning its EM-P hybrid battery thermal management algorithms for overseas regions (from hot-climate testing in the Middle East to cold-weather operation in Scandinavia); and serving as the foundational model for Lynk & Co's global expansion (supporting European subscription models and penetrating key RHD markets across Southeast Asia and Latin America) on the back of its proven mechanical pedigree.
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