Author: Knight Errant
On the path of “breaking the circle”, Lynk & Co. has gone further and further. However, this is not a bad thing. Compared to those conventional and monotonous car brands, Lynk & Co. takes pride in being associated with the keyword “fun” when people first think of it. Especially with the increasing number of young consumers, Lynk & Co.’s advantages will gradually expand.
This year marks the 5th anniversary of the establishment of the Lynk & Co. brand. Naturally, Lynk & Co. will launch a heavyweight new car to commemorate this not-too-big-not-too-small honor. Thus, our protagonist today was born – Lynk & Co. 09.
Although this is not the first launch of the Lynk & Co. 09, it is a rare opportunity to experience its charm up close. Based on the SPA architecture, the first Lynk & Co. model with 2+2+2 layout, over 5 meters long body, a mid-to-large flagship SUV that combines the above factors, Lynk & Co. 09 is hard not to become the most dazzling star at this small after-party.
In 2017, Lynk & Co. 01 was officially launched. The first batch of 90s who were struggling to buy their first car found the answer in it; by 2021, the first batch of 90s have unwittingly entered their 30s. With the establishment of their family and the arrival of the next generation, buying a larger car has become their inevitable choice. At this time, the arrival of Lynk & Co. 09 may well be their next answer.
In fact, for many people, Lynk & Co.’s growth over the past 5 years has become a kind of companionship.
In my personal opinion, the design of Lynk & Co. 09 is groundbreaking. This is because whether it is the 01, 02, 03 or 05 models, they all lack a sense of aggression that can compete with others to some extent. The reasons for this are nothing more than the limitations of the size of previous models and the unchanging front face design. Based on these issues, let us take a closer look at the controversial front grille of the Lynk & Co. 09. Although it may be exaggerated, its purpose to enhance the visual impact and widen the width of the front of the car has been successfully achieved.
After the radical reform of the front face, the design of the side of the Lynk & Co 09 chose a completely opposite direction. There are no complicated lines or unnecessary layers, and the newly introduced Flushdoor (the window between A-pillar and D-pillar is on the same flat plane as the pillars B and C) and hidden door handle design are all expressions of the designer’s efforts to approach a concise and concise style. It is precisely because of this that the 21-inch large wheels have the best opportunity to showcase their beauty.
As for the tail design, due to fatigue with the Lynk & Co family’s taillight style, Lynk & Co 09 can only be described as a conservative operation at best. However, the four true exhausts on both sides and the transparent logo cavity can still increase its appeal significantly.
Lynk & Co’s achievements in interior design are currently more positively rated than negatively, so it is safe to apply this to this flagship SUV. Overall, the design language is Lynk & Co’s family style, but it is worth mentioning in terms of configuration stacking. The 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel, 12.8-inch HUD, 12+6-inch dual-screen center console, and two 1.4-inch LCD rotary knob screens form the most popular multi-screen style today (although the latter two have some suspicions of data padding).
Unfortunately, the UI system of the concept car was not completed, and we could not operate it, so we could not confirm whether the system with the replaced 8155 chip had new improvements in reaction speed and fluency.
Actually, compared to the number of screens, what I want to emphasize more about the 09 is that many buttons are crafted with a silver plating process, such as the power window switch, ignition button, and even the switch key of the central armrest box. Not only do they look luxurious, but also feel delicate and smooth to the touch. This is the embodiment of luxury in the details.
Next, the seats of the 09 must be highly praised. After the stubborn Lynk & Co gave up the traditional integrated seats, the 09 gained a natural advantage in comfort. The NAPPA material, perforated design, and stitching technology have already reached the standard height of a luxury car. What’s even more valuable is that the seats of the Lynk & Co 09 are equipped with aviation headrests, which are moderately soft and hard and adjustable in angle. Anyone who has experienced long-distance driving with a Lynk & Co knows that the traditional integrated seats are a perfect tool for dozing off. Now, seeing the Lynk & Co 09 with aviation headrests, one can only imagine how envious they are.
In addition, Lynk & Co also emphasizes the audio system of the 09. 14 custom-made and high-performance Bose speakers are distributed throughout the cabin, coupled with Bose’s digital amplifier, Centerpoint2 virtual surround sound technology, SurroundStage surround sound technology, sound source correction, noise compensation, and active noise reduction, striving to provide the maximum guarantee in hardware.
But in the actual experience, I found the sound to be somewhat thin, with not particularly noticeable surround sound effect, especially in the low-frequency range, which produced a kind of discomfort that seemed to hit me head-on. Until I got off the car, I thought that Bose had made a mistake this time. But in the end, it turned out to be a misunderstanding – we had the sound field mode set to “driver’s seat surround”, so the two media personnel sitting in the passenger seat and in the back seat experienced loneliness…
Meanwhile, Lynk & Co. also stated that the future Lynk & Co. 09 will be equipped with a rich atmosphere lighting and lighting language function, as well as a multi-mode aroma system with OTA upgrade function (aroma switching, fragrance style, etc.). As for why this will be available only in the future, it is because the adjustment of the atmosphere lighting function in the vehicle system has not been completed yet, and the standard aroma type of the aroma system has not been officially determined yet, so the showcase could not let us experience these two functions.
From its debut in June, to the tour of several major cities in July, to the official launch in the fourth quarter, it can be seen that Lynk & Co. is not in a hurry to make all the information about the 09 public. This gradual release of information not only illustrates the importance of the 09 for Lynk & Co., but also reflects Lynk & Co.’s growth and maturity. Perhaps at the next auto show, Lynk & Co.’s booth will no longer be a single trendy modern nightclub style, but a comprehensive one of fashion, home, and business.
The arrival of the Lynk & Co. 09 heralds the birth of a more diverse Lynk & Co.
This article is a translation by ChatGPT of a Chinese report from 42HOW. If you have any questions about it, please email bd@42how.com.