If the name Lynk & Co doesn’t ring a bell, that’s not surprising.
Lynk&Co, Geely’s Other Brand
This Sino-Swedish automaker, a member of Geely’s orbit alongside Volvo, Polestar and Lotus, had fairly solidly kicked off its French career with its compact SUV 01, which landed here three years ago. But the momentum soon faded, and the 02 that followed hasn’t fared any better, remaining in the shadows of its European rivals. This cousin of the Volvo EX30 and the Zeekr X (almost a carbon copy of it) has only sold 127 units in France since January 2026, an 80% drop versus 2025. A worrying figure for a brand this young, which is probably why it’s reacting now. The Chinese version, previously called Z20 and now simply renamed 20, has just received a mid-cycle update that the European model should benefit from. The biggest work is mostly under the floor. The old 400-volt electrical architecture gives way to an 800-volt platform, and that changes everything for charging. According to the maker, going from 10 to 80% battery now takes only 12 minutes, whereas the current version, limited to 150 kW peak, would require 18 more minutes. Not bad at all.
Up to 630 km of Range… in the Chinese Cycle
On range, two battery options are now on offer, whereas only one is being sold here for the moment. Their capacities haven’t been detailed yet, but the announced figures span 545 to 630 km. Note, however, that these are measured on the optimistic Chinese CLC cycle. You should easily subtract about a hundred kilometers to obtain the European WLTP equivalent. By comparison, our current 02 uses a 66 kWh pack and tops out at 445 km. The progress is real, and the fast charging makes it even more appealing. The motor remains mounted on the rear axle, but it is entirely new. It now bundles several components into a single block, along with four software functions: energy management, charging management, motion control and health monitoring of the system. The shorter wiring should improve efficiency, and its compactness could free up a bit of cabin space, though that remains to be confirmed. It’s also tougher: power rises from 272 to 333 horsepower, enabling a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in 6.4 seconds, a very good time for a compact SUV.
Inside, however, changes are modest. Expect redesigned vents and interior door handles that are more conventional, because the new Chinese regulations no longer tolerate the old buttons. On the outside, the SUV-coupé retains its distinctive silhouette, with tweaks limited to new front and rear bumpers. The question now is whether this will be enough to lift Lynk&Co’s sales, which are currently quite modest.
