The upcoming Lynk & Co 04 hatchback has been
spied during winter testing. This prototype isn’t covered in thick body cladding and despite the camouflage, the images do
provide us with an excellent look at its overall shape.
Even a cursory glance at the front end tells those
familiar with the Lynk & Co brand that this is an all-new model from the
Chinese company. It sports the brand’s familiar round headlights, rectangular
secondary lights, and fog lights in the lower part of the bumper. The 04 also
features a split front grille design just like the 01 SUV, 02 Crossover and 03
Sedan.
The front is very tall and imposing, but to us,
looks a bit off on a hatchback. One element we do particularly like is its
sides and the sharp and aggressive profile. This prototype features a set of
black wheels, angular rear side windows, a steeply raked rear window and an
appealing wing. At the rear, you’ll find Lynk & Co’s customary taillights,
dual circular tailpipes, and a subtle diffuser. The Lynk & Co 04 hatchback
will be pitched as a direct rival to the best in class, such as the Ford Focus
and Volkswagen Golf.
The new hatch will be
underpinned by Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), already found in
existing Lynk & Co models as well as the Volvo XC40, and will probably be
available with a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder as well as a
turbocharged 2.0-liter four. Both plug-in hybrid and all-electric variants are
expected to be launched down the road.
It remains to be seen when Lynk & Co will launch
the model, but considering it has already been testing for over 12 months, we
expect to see it premiere later this year ahead of a market launch as a 2020
model.
