Lynk & Co reveal images of first European car and new ownership model

Chinese manufacturer Lynk & Co have unveiled their first car to be launched in Europe and details of a new mobility offer.

Meet the 01.
Lynk & Co have revealed the 01, their first model to be available to European customers. The 01 is available with a range of electrified PHEV & HEV powertrains, with up to 70 km electric range possible with the PHEV.

Everything extra is included.
Lynk & Co claim that trim levels and option packs are pointlessly complex. Instead of an endless option list, the 01 was built with the concept that, “everything extra comes standard”. This means that the car will come with all features included without the customer having to select (or pay extra for!) add-ons. In fact, the only choices customers will need to make is the color (black or blue) and powertrain (PHEV or HEV).

Designed and engineered in Sweden.
Engineering and technology for the 01 has been developed under CEVT, the shared Geely and Volvo research and innovation center based in Gothenburg, Sweden. The 01 is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), the same architecture underpinning the Volvo XC40. CMA is an advanced modular architecture that accommodates many body styles and sizes. Thanks to CEVT’s focus on digital simulation, the architecture has been developed with advanced quality and far quicker than conventional automotive structures. 

Keep connected.
The 01 comes with a large central touchscreen, online navigation, third-party apps, a social media camera, and its own cloud. Lynk & Co will be able to check the health of the cars, maintain features, solve issues over the air, and let members know when it’s time for their scheduled maintenance, all of which included in the price of membership.

More details, including a release date for the UK are expected to be released in due course.

Membership-based mobility.
Lynk & Co’s mobility membership allows customers to sign up for a month-to-month membership plan from £450 per month. Members can lower their monthly costs when they share their cars and change or cancel their membership with only one-month notice. Insurance, scheduled maintenance, and access to a car sharing platform are all included in the price of the membership. Alternatively, if customers don’t need a car of their own, they can sign up for a free membership and only pay when they borrow a car. 

Share the ride.
Car sharing is a key perk for members should they wish to do so, allowing them a sustainable way to reduce the number of individual cars on the road. Members with a car will be able to share with friends, family, or other members to offset their monthly costs. To make it simple, Lynk & Co have developed a sharing platform that will let members manage bookings, share the car location, and send a digital key from their smartphones and in the car. 

Join the club.
Although Lynk & Co still plans to have a physical presence in key cities across their seven target markets, that doesn’t mean a traditional dealership network. Instead, the company will open “clubs” to be the center of Lynk & Co’s community. 

Clubs are a window into the world of Lynk & Co: places to enjoy refreshements, shop, engage with the community, and attend members-only events. The company is collaborating with local artists and designers to outfit the clubs, with a special focus on uplifting ethical, eco-friendly brands. 

The first club will open in Amsterdam later this autumn, and the second will open in Gothenburg, Sweden before the end of the year. More locations will be announced in the coming months, as well as a pop-up tour bringing the Lynk & Co experience to cities around Europe.