Lynk & Co 01 EM-P

The Lynk & Co 01 EM-P is a compact plug-in hybrid SUV built on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) platform, serving as a core pillar of the brand's "EM-P Hybrid Family" electrification strategy. Debuting at the Chengdu Motor Show in August 2022 and positioned as a "premium intelligent hybrid SUV", the model features the Lynk E-Motive smart hybrid powertrain, offering younger buyers a mobility solution that balances performance, fuel efficiency, and intelligent tech. As of May 2026, the model is on sale as the 2025 model year, carrying an official retail price tag ranging from RM195,800 to RM223,800, supported by limited-time showroom discounts between RM10,000 and RM30,000.

Model Overview

Positioned as a compact plug-in hybrid family SUV competing in the RM180,000 to RM230,000 electrified vehicle segment, the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P hangs its hat on its Volvo-shared CMA platform, Thor hybrid powertrain, intelligent electric AWD, and the advanced Lynk Co-Pilot ADAS suite. It caters primarily to young families seeking solid driving dynamics, low running costs, and greener mobility, going head-to-head with rival PHEVs such as the BYD Song PLUS DM-i, Honda CR-V e:PHEV, and Toyota RAV4 Dual-Engine E+. Under the skin, the 01 EM-P adopts a "tri-motor" PHEV setup comprising a 1.5T petrol engine, a front drive motor, and a rear axle motor, paired with a 17.7 kWh battery pack to deliver a WLTC pure-electric range of 70 km and a total combined range of up to 850 km. For peace of mind, the manufacturer provides first-hand private owners with a lifetime warranty with unlimited years and unlimited mileage.

Design Language

The Lynk & Co 01 EM-P continues the marque's signature "Mega-city Contrast" family design language. Up front, it sports a split-headlamp configuration with the distinctive "Aurora Borealis" LED daytime running lights perched up top, while the main LED headlight units blend seamlessly into the full-width black radiator grille. Below, the front bumper features sculpted, muscular contours with an integrated silver skid plate, adding a dose of rugged SUV flair. Along the sides, the compact and well-proportioned profile is accentuated by black protective wheel arch cladding, creating an athletic, forward-leaning stance. At the rear, full-width LED taillights featuring the brand's iconic "Energy Crystal" light signatures deliver high visual impact at night.

In terms of dimensions, the SUV measures 4,549 mm long, 1,860 mm wide, and 1,689 mm tall, riding on a 2,734 mm wheelbase—placing it right in the sweet spot of the compact SUV segment. Kerb weight is kept at a reasonable 1.9 tonnes. Outside, buyers can choose from a range of exterior hues, with an openable panoramic glass roof, power tailgate, and functional roof rails fitted as standard. The cabin adopts a dual-tone wraparound layout, featuring a leather-wrapped multi-function steering wheel, an electronic shift-by-wire gear selector, and sporty seats trimmed in a tactile mix of leather and suede for an upscale ambiance.

Powertrain and Performance

Propulsion for the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P comes courtesy of the Lynk E-Motive intelligent hybrid system (P1+P2 dual-motor architecture), combining a 1.5T three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, a front P2 permanent magnet synchronous motor, and a rear P4 electric motor. Together, this tri-motor PHEV powertrain dishes out a total system output of 180 kW to 206 kW (approx. 245 to 276 PS) and a hefty peak torque of 535 N·m, channelled through a 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT).

The internal combustion engine alone produces 110 kW (approx. 150 PS) and 225 N·m of torque, while the front electric motor contributes 100 kW and 320 N·m. The official 0-100 km/h sprint is clocked at 7.3 seconds, with independent tests of the EM-P Performance variant recording times as brisk as 6.8 seconds. WLTC combined fuel consumption stands at an impressive 1.54 L/100 km, while depleted-battery fuel consumption is rated at around 5.1 L/100 km. Juice is stored in a 17.7 kWh ternary lithium battery pack, enabling a WLTC electric-only range of 70 km and a total cruising range of 850 km. Charging is handled via AC slow charging, while DC fast charging can replenish the battery from 30% to 80% state of charge in around 35 minutes. Braking performance is equally commendable, achieving a 100-0 km/h stopping distance of just 35 metres.

Chassis and Handling

Riding on the CMA modular architecture, the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P features an all-round independent suspension setup consisting of front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link system. Tuned with a distinct European flavour, the chassis delivers an impressively planted, pliant, and reassuringly heavy road feel—so much so that automotive reviewers often praise it for feeling "distinctly Volvo-like" in character. The front lower control arms feature perforated double-layer stamped steel paired with lightweight steering knuckles to trim unsprung weight, resulting in composed body control around corners and inspiring strong driver confidence. However, some owners have noted that the firmer damping setup can let sharper road imperfections filter into the cabin.

Drivers can toggle between three drive modes: Pure Electric, Intelligent, and Sport. Pure Electric mode offers whisper-quiet, linear EV propulsion; Intelligent mode prioritises smooth throttle modulation for relaxed urban cruising; and Sport mode sharpens throttle response for immediate power delivery. The electric power steering (EPS) is precise with progressive self-centring weight. Front-wheel drive (FWD) comes standard, while higher-spec trims like the PM variant gain a rear-axle motor that unlocks intelligent electric AWD, improving wet-weather traction and light-duty off-road capability. Stopping power comes from ventilated front and solid rear discs, backed by an electronic parking brake (EPB) with Auto Hold.

Cabin and Equipment

Configured as a 5-door, 5-seater SUV with a 2,734 mm wheelbase, the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P offers generous rear legroom. The seats, wrapped in a blend of leather and suede, feature ergonomic, body-hugging contours that deliver both lateral support and long-distance comfort. Boot capacity starts at 509 litres in standard configuration and expands to 1,397 litres with the split-folding rear seats laid flat, easily swallowing luggage and bulky gear.

The digital cockpit is a major highlight. Up front sits a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster alongside a 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen (upgraded to 15.4 inches on the 2025 European-spec model). The infotainment unit runs on a top-tier Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 automotive chip with an 8-core CPU and 16 GB of RAM, ensuring silky-smooth operation. Running LYNK OS N, it supports over-the-air (OTA) updates, natural voice control, Baidu navigation, and full telematics connectivity. Range-topping models add a 7.4-inch full-colour windshield head-up display (W-HUD), forming a cohesive three-screen interactive ecosystem. In terms of creature comforts, an openable panoramic sunroof, keyless entry with push-button start, and automatic climate control come standard across the range, with higher variants gaining Qi wireless smartphone charging, heated and ventilated front seats, a premium Infinity sound system, and ambient lighting. Telematics allows remote pre-conditioning of the AC, seats, and steering wheel via smartphone app. A 3.3 kW Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) reverse charging feature is also equipped as standard.

Safety and Driver Assistance

The Lynk & Co 01 EM-P fully inherits Volvo's uncompromising safety DNA. On the passive safety front, the body utilises an ultra-rigid safety cage design where high-strength steel makes up over 70% of the structure, incorporating hot-formed steel with a tensile strength of 1,500 MPa at critical impact zones. A total of 6 airbags (dual front, front side, and full-length curtain airbags) and rear ISOFIX child seat anchor points come standard across the line-up. The 01 range has also been awarded a prestigious 5-star Euro NCAP crash test rating.

Active safety and driver aids are among the model's strongest suits. Fitted with the comprehensive Lynk Co-Pilot ADAS suite, the vehicle's sensor array comprises 5 millimetre-wave radars, 12 ultrasonic sensors, 4 HD surround-view cameras, 1 forward-facing HD camera, and an in-cabin driver monitoring system (DMS), totalling over 30 hardware sensors. This hardware enables Level 2+ (L2+) semi-autonomous driving capabilities encompassing 27 active safety features, including: Full-Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC with Stop&Go), Highway Assist (HWA with lane-change assist), Traffic Jam Assist (TJA), Emergency Lane Keeping Assist (ELKA), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB with pedestrian and cyclist detection), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), Blind Spot Detection (BSD), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Rear Collision Warning (RCW), and Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR). For parking, it boasts Automated Parking Assist (APA), Remote Parking Assist (RPA) covering parallel, perpendicular, and angled bays, alongside Parking Emergency Braking (PEB). A dedicated GPU-driven 360-degree camera system is standard across all variants. Battery integrity is safeguarded by a centrally mounted pack design and multi-layered physical shielding that has aced rigorous nail penetration, drop, fire, and crush tests.

Market Performance and Reception

The 01 EM-P is a foundational member of Lynk & Co's EM-P hybrid portfolio. Across the wider brand, Lynk & Co delivered 350,500 vehicles in 2025, recording a 22.8% year-on-year surge, with the brand's average transaction price crossing the RM200,000 mark for the first time and the EM-P hybrid family averaging RM254,200, underscoring growing brand equity. However, the standalone 01 nameplate faced stiff headwinds in 2025: annual sales reached around 9,500 units, with monthly sales in March 2026 dropping to just 135 units, representing an 82.5% year-on-year decline.

Automotive analysts attribute this sales dip to several factors: first, hyper-aggressive competition in the compact PHEV segment, where rivals like the BYD Song PLUS DM-i exert intense price and range pressure; second, a relatively conservative refresh cycle since its August 2022 launch, allowing newer rivals to catch up or surpass it in cabin tech (e.g. the 15.4-inch screen fitted in Europe is still absent in the domestic model); third, a higher entry barrier, with its RM195,800 to RM223,800 price bracket leaving it at a pricing disadvantage. In terms of user feedback, some owners have reported minor real-world niggles—such as throttle hesitation in Intelligent mode, a firmer suspension setup compromising ride compliance, and real-world fuel economy in depleted battery conditions not quite matching official claims. Consequently, while the broader EM-P stable continues to break ground in Lynk & Co's electrification push, the 01 EM-P's seniority in the line-up has made its sales slowdown particularly evident.

On the global front, the European-specification Lynk & Co 01 EM-P is officially retailed across markets like Spain and Germany in Core and More variants, priced at €40,995 and €44,995 respectively (approximately RM320,000 to RM350,000)—well above domestic pricing. The European variant benefits from the upgraded 15.4-inch central display and the latest LYNK OS N interface, consistently ranking among the top three Chinese nameplates in European registration figures across seven European markets. As of March 2025, Lynk & Co's cumulative global exports surpassed 84,000 units, covering 39 countries through a network of 101 retail outlets. All in all, while the Lynk & Co 01 EM-P maintains high marks for engineering integrity, safety credentials, and dynamic polish, its domestic market performance is currently feeling the squeeze of fierce competition and an overdue facelift. With the 2026 model year update in the pipeline, the 01 range may soon regain its competitive stride.