Many news outlets are claiming the EV revolution is stalling, and hybrids are back on the rise. But challenger auto brand Lynk & Co is heading in the opposite direction. After building a popular niche with an innovative car ownership model based around a hybrid vehicle, the company is branching out with its next release – only this time it’s all-electric. I took the new Lynk & Co 02 for a test drive.
For those not familiar with Lynk & Co, it’s part of the Chinese giant Geely, which also owns a slew of more well-known brands, including Volvo, Lotus, and Polestar. Zeekr is another of Geely’s challenger marques, and the company also now provides the platform for Smart, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz.
The Lynk & Co 02 is the company's first all-electric car in Europe.
So it’s no surprise to hear that the 02 is another vehicle based on Geely’s SEA (Sustainable Experience Architecture), specifically SEA2, like the Volvo EX30, Smart #1, and Zeekr X. The Lynk & Co car bears a more than passing resemblance to the latter, leading some automotive pundits to suggest that it’s a coupe version of the Zeekr X.
Lynk & Co 02: Part Of The Geely Family
The basic specification is very similar to its stablemates. The Lynk & Co 02 is equipped with a 66kWh battery and 200kW (268hp) motor driving the rear wheels, making it like the Smart #1 Pro+ or Premium, or the single motor Volvo EX30 Extended Range. It’s about as fast as the latter, too, hitting 62mph in just 5.5 seconds. The SEA2 platform has options for dual motors and smaller batteries, which both Smart and Volvo offer, but for now Lynk & Co is sticking with the one drivetrain option.
However, step inside the Lynk & Co 02 and the experience is rather different to the Zeekr X or other Geely cars. This is a clean and modern interior, with minimal switchgear and a large portrait-orientation infotainment screen. But there is still a dashboard display as well, and although most air conditioning functions are accessed via the touchscreen, the icons for these are large and easy to control while driving.
Best High-Yield Savings Accounts Of 2024
Best 5% Interest Savings Accounts of 2024
There are some other welcome details in the cabin design too. As this is a pure EV platform, there’s no need for a transmission tunnel down the middle, so Lynk & Co has made the central storage box ahead of the armrest removable. There is even, apparently, the option to swap in a small fridge here instead (although presumably not for cold beers while you’re driving).
The sunroof makes the reasonably spacious interior feel even roomier.
The upholstery is leather-free, and while it doesn’t quite live up to the company’s claim that the material used instead is “better than leather”, it is pleasant, and the overall interior finish feels modern but of high quality. There is liberal deployment of ambient illumination, which Lynk & Co calls “Infinity Light” because it’s supposed to evoke a sense of infinite interior space. That might be overegging it, but the results are attractive. Necessities like heated front memory seats are also included, naturally.
Another area where the 02 competes well with its stablemates is rear space. There’s plenty of it for passengers, although the slopy back means you need to take care with your head on entry. The panoramic sunroof adds to the sense of space in the rear, but knee room and head room are already good.
There’s a decent capacity for luggage too, with 410 liters in the back with the seats up. The seats have a 60/40 split but no central flap. This will be a drawback if you want to carry a long item plus four people including the driver. Lynk & Co hasn’t stated the overall capacity with the rear seats down, but it appears comparable to or better than competitors, and the floor is flat with minimal lip. There’s a small 15-liter frunk, too.
Lynk & Co 02: Technology Focus
Lynk & Co keeps the trim choices simple, as it did with its first European car. However, where the 01 only came in one flavor, the 02 is offered with Core and More equipment levels. Neither should be considered a poverty spec, although More adds 22kW AC charging, a 1.6kW Harmon Kardon sound system with 14 speakers, 20in wheels and a 360-degree camera.
The 02 has a high-quality, tech-focused interior.
Another area where Lynk & Co aims to differentiate itself in the market is technology. The version of the 02 I drove was a pre-production prototype, but apart from a message saying the parking camera wasn’t calibrated, the software seemed quite mature. The digital cockpit comes from specialist ECARX, which also (unsurprisingly) supplies software for Volvo, Zeekr, Lotus, Smart and Polestar in the Geely group, but also Citroen and Mazda.
The steering wheel has gaming joystick-like controls on either side, and discrete touch buttons rather than haptic areas, making your control choices positive. Overall, the infotainment menu system is logically laid out and I didn’t take long to find the settings I needed. Lynk & Co also prides itself on its user feedback system, where you can push a button in the car to leave a message suggesting an improvement. The 02 and 01 refresh have apparently taken on board over 6,000 suggestions from customers.
Lynk & Co 02: Quick Driving, Adequate Range
Lynk & Co wanted to provide an engaging yet practical driving experience with the 02. However, while this car is adequately fast, the steering is a bit disconnected even if you switch to Firm mode. For most customers it will be fine, but this is a car clearly set up more for comfort than hardcore driving pleasure. Lynk & Co does have racier models in China, such as the 03+ and 03+ Cyan, which use an internal combustion engine. I hope the company applies this more performance-oriented setup to one of its all-electric models.
The Lynk & Co 02 is quick, but handling is more set up for comfort than engagement.
Matching the softer steering, ride quality is generally very good. Potholes were dealt with commendably on my test drive. There was plenty of grunt to make emerging from junctions or joining highways safe, too. Most of my driving was in slower urban settings, however, where the size of the 02 felt just about right. This is one reason why C Segment cars are so popular – they are about the largest format that still works for city driving and parking.
The 66kWh battery promises 278 miles of WLTP range, which is behind several competitors. During testing, the 02 achieved a reasonable if not outstanding 3.1 miles per kWh, equating to a real-world range of 205 miles. That’s enough for extra-urban distances and the 150kW DC charging, promising 30 minutes replenishment from 10 to 80%, is also not class leading but adequate. Competitors such as the Peugeot e-3008 offer quite a bit more range, but also cost quite a bit more.
Lynk & Co 02: Reasonably Priced But Facing Stiff Competition
Lynk & Co has been most notable up to this point for the way it has innovated car ownership. Not only does it offer a subscription model for the 01, but it also facilitates shared ownership and usage. This has been a success in some countries, with 20% of Lynk & Co’s vehicles in the Netherlands owned in this way.
The Lynk & Co 02 is initially going to be offered via more traditional purchase and lease deals, however. The Core variant is €35,495 ($39,000) while the More is €39,495 ($43,000), both of which look quite reasonable against direct competition. According to Lynk & C, these prices will remain at this level despite the tariffs the EU has recently imposed on imported Chinese vehicles. The company is looking for local European manufacturing to ameliorate this situation, however.
Pull this tab to leave Lynk & Co a message suggesting improvements to its cars.
This car competes with some quite similar cars from other Geely brands. The Volvo EX30 and Smart #1 are smaller, and the Zeekr X the same length in regular SUV format. The 02 is priced favorably against all of these. Outside Geely, the XPENG G6 is bigger, the Peugeot e-3008 slightly bigger, while the Renault Scenic and Ford Explorer are the same size. So this car enters an increasingly crowded C Segment EV market, and success is not guaranteed, although the pricing is in its favor against these as well.
There’s a lot to like about the Lynk & Co 02. It’s quite fast, rides well, has a high-quality interior, and a strong tech-focus. The range is decent if not outstanding. Most importantly of all, it signals that despite the tariffs, reasonably priced Chinese EVs are coming to Europe. China is not being put off its march to electrification by the protectionism in European markets. Whether it’s the right car for you will depend in part on whether you buy into the “funky urban lifestyle” that the brand projects. But the price isn’t too bad, and the overall package ticks a lot of boxes.