Volvo and Geely’s Lovechild Launching Another SUV
When Geely and Volvo teamed up in 2016 to launch Lynk & Co, it looked like another ambitious Chinese startup with a bit of Scandinavian influence. But after a few years, the brand has quietly become much more than that.
We’ve spent time behind the wheel of a few Lynk & Co hybrids and EVs before, and the products are more than just decent. Some models actually feel more sorted than what you get from established brands. Unsurprisingly, there’s a strong Volvo influence throughout.
Now, Lynk & Co is getting ready to add another model to its lineup: the all-electric 20. It just showed up in Chinese regulatory filings, which gives us an early preview of what looks like a direct competitor to compact premium SUVs such as the Lexus NX.
Lynk & Co
Lidar, Fresh Styling, and Plenty of Power
The 20 goes head-to-head with the Lexus NX in terms of size, but Lynk & Co seems to be pushing the tech angle even further. Based on the filings, it’s already packing hardware that could leave some established luxury brands playing catch-up.
The latest images show the Lynk & Co 20 with a refreshed look compared to the Z20 it’s built on. Up front, there’s a split-headlight setup joined by a light strip, and there’s even a bright yellow paint option that makes no attempt to blend in.
The most obvious clue is the LiDAR sensor mounted on the roof. That suggests Lynk & Co is gearing up for more advanced driver-assistance and semi-autonomous features. Whether those systems will actually beat the competition is still an open question, but the hardware is already in place.
Under the hood, there’s a single electric motor with 328 horsepower, paired to a lithium iron phosphate battery. Top speed is 125 mph, which is more than enough for a compact luxury SUV that will likely spend most of its time in city traffic.
China’s MIIT/Autohome
America Probably Won’t Get It, but Canada Might
There’s still a strong chance the Lynk & Co 20 won’t make it to the US. Chinese EV brands are still running into political and trade hurdles in the US, and that doesn’t look like it will change soon.
That said, North America isn’t completely off the table. Geely is already bringing China-made Lotus EVs into Canada, which could open the door for other brands in its group, including Lynk & Co.
The Lynk & Co 20 would likely find buyers in North America. Compact luxury SUVs remain in high demand, and a tech-focused EV with Volvo-inspired engineering could appeal to those seeking something different from the usual German or Japanese options.
China’s MIIT/Autohome
