Lynk & Co 09 (Volvo XC90’s cousin) on sale in China [Update]

Update: ‘Specifications,’ ‘Price,’ and ‘Lynk & Co 09 for Europe?’ sections updated and ‘TopElectricSUV says’ section added.

The Lynk & Co 09, a technical cousin of Volvo’s second-gen XC90, made its motorshow debut at the 2021 Chengdu Motor Show in August 2021. It is on sale in China as the brand’s flagship SUV in the country.

Design

The Volvo XC90 has an upright stance, is boxy, and looks like a standard three-row family hauler. The Lynk & Co 09, with a floating roofline, narrower rear quarter glass, and a raked rear windscreen, is contemporary and does not strike viewers as a three-row SUV until the doors open. The bug-eyed upper lights and the anvil-shaped radiator grille with unusually tall vertical bars may not be to everyone’s taste. However, the flush door handles are a nice touch, and so are the tail lamps carved into the fenders. Designers have succeeded in making an SUV that’s youthful and sporty, with a European design.

The 09 is 5,042 mm (198.5 in.) long, 1,977 mm (77.8 in.) wide, and 1,780 mm (70.1 in.) tall. In comparison, the XC90 is 195 in. long, 84.3 in. wide, and 69.9 in. tall. The Chinese car’s wheelbase measures 2,984 mm or 117.5 in, the same as that of the Swedish SUV.

Interior & Features

The interior of the 09 has a minimalist theme with features like a low-profile dashboard, compact steering wheel, large touchscreen infotainment system, slim air vents, and a fully digital instrument cluster. That is the basic design recipe for any modern car, so nothing exceptional to report here. The 09 has six displays, three of which are the head-up display, central screen, and instrument cluster for the driver. Customers get an option to configure the 09 with six or seven seats.

Four-zone automatic climate control, 16-way power front seats with massage function, Nappa leather upholstery, 12.3-inch virtual instrument cluster, 14-speaker Bose sound system, 12.8-inch W-HUD head-up display, Face ID recognition, AR-navigation, etc. are some of the main interior features of the Lynk & Co 09.

The top-end configuration of the new Lynk & Co SUV offers Level 2 and Level 3 autonomous driving functions like High-speed Automatic Lane Change, automatic parking, and low-speed congestion pilot function (similar to Volvo Cars’ Traffic Jam Assistance) as well.

Specifications

The 09 comes in MHEV and PHEV variants, both employing a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine produces 187 kW (254 PS/251 hp) of power and 350 Nm (258 lb.-ft.) of torque in both variants. The mild-hybrid variant features a belt-driven starter generator (BSG), a 48-volt traction battery, and a mechanical full-time AWD system. It can achieve a top speed of 215 km/h (136 mph).

The 09 plug-in hybrid uses the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine with two motors and a three-speed DHT Pro gearbox. The electric motor at the front produces 100 kW (134 hp) and 320 Nm (236 lb.-ft.) of torque. The other motor, generating 130 kW (174 hp) and 309 Nm (228 lb.-ft.) of torque, drives the rear wheels. The three propulsion units combined make 382 kW (512 hp) and 844 Nm (623 lb.-ft.) of torque.

The Chinese plug-in hybrid SUV can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 5.9 seconds and attain a top speed of 230 km/h (143 mph). The electric driving range and charging specifications are impressive. The 09 PHEV does allow fast-charging on direct current. Topping up from 20 to 80% SoC takes just 28 minutes. On a full charge, it’s possible to travel 150 km (93 miles) in EV mode as per WLTC or 190 km (118 miles) as per CLTC, thanks to a big, 40.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

Price

The Lynk & Co 09 starts at CNY 285,900 (USD 41,003) in the mild-hybrid variant and at CNY 355,800 (USD 51,028) in the plug-in hybrid variant. In comparison, the XC90 is priced at CNY 638,900 (USD 91,630) for the mild-hybrid variant and at CNY 894,900 (USD 128,345) for the plug-in hybrid variant.

Lynk & Co 09 for Europe?

Lynk & Co launched in Europe in September 2020, and commenced deliveries in April 2021. The company offers the Lynk & Co 01 hybrid/plug-in hybrid in Sweden, Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, and Spain. In Sweden, the 01 costs SEK 460,000 (USD 44,577), although there is a also a subscription plan at SEK 6,000/month (USD 581). Between January and November 2022, Lynk & Co delivered 12,582 vehicles in European markets under its subscription model.

Established in October 2016, Lynk & Co has a range of seven models in China: 01 SUV, 02 Hatchback, 02 (SUV), 03 sedan (incl. 03+ performance variant), 05 SUV-coupe (incl. 05+ performance variant), 06 SUV, and the 09 SUV. The company could ship the 09 in Europe if it sees enough demand.

TopElectricSUV says

With DC fast-charging support and a triple-digit electric range in the optional plug-in hybrid variant, the 09 appears to offer a complete solution for customers who aren’t yet ready to fully adopt EVs. Sadly, it isn’t available in Europe yet. Maybe that will change soon!

Lynk & Co 09 FAQs

Featured Image Source: Lynk & Co