Getting my fusion fix from the Lynk & Co 06
I am a fan of fusion cuisine, which has gained popularity in recent years. By combining culinary elements from different countries and cultures, fusion cuisine is where I often find unique and innovative flavors and creative-looking dishes.
I used to think that the idea of fusion was missing in the automobile industry. Automotive brands tend to be identified with just one country or culture. Depending on the brand, cars tend to be identified as “Japanese,” “German,” “British,” and so on. But recently, I found my fusion fix in the Lynk & Co 06.Lynk & Co was formed as a joint venture between China’s Geely Auto Group and Sweden’s Volvo Car Group. The Chinese-Swedish fusion is embodied in the vehicles of Lynk & Co.
When I pulled-up a restaurant entrance in a Lynk & Co 06, one of my friends immediately asked what car I was using. He said his first impression was that the car was European, but upon closer look he wasn’t certain how to identify it. It didn’t help that my 06 was in Pastel Lilac, a color not often seen in most car brands.
The unique look of the 06 is kind of like seeing a fusion dish for the first time. You might be familiar with the underlying dish, but the creative presentation might give it an unrecognizable look (this brings to mind the Sinigang-Style Kurobuta of Chef Francis Tolentino’s Taupe restaurant, which was so distinct from the traditional Filipino sinigang dish that I was accustomed to).
Just like fusion dishes, Lynk & Co seeks “to challenge conventions” with its vehicles.
The Lynk & Co 06 is a sleek subcompact crossover that embodies modern automotive design and technology. The exterior design of the 06 is characterized by a sleek silhouette and unconventional front fascia with a flat front bumper covered by a distinct horizontal grille. The 06’s unconventional styling is also apparent in its LED headlights which are placed on top of the hood, rather than on the front of the bumper. The rear is characterized by a wide tailgate that features wraparound LED taillights with the brand “Lynk & Co” emblazoned in the middle. The unique shape of the 06’s energy cube taillights are inspired by the city light’s reflections.
Beyond the exterior, the 06 brings together some of the best elements from the Chinese and European heritage of Geely and Volvo, respectively.
The 06 is built on Geely’s B-segment Modular Architecture (BMA) platform (a compact unibody platform shared with the Geely Coolray), complemented by a European originated handling featuring a four-wheel independent suspension system with front MacPherson and rear multi-link axle.
Underneath the hood, the 06 is powered by a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine, capable of 178 hp and 290 Nm of torque, and paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The 06’s interiors are designed with futuristic touches and unique elements such as the image of the Shanghai skyline (distinguishable by the famous Oriental Pearl Tower of Shanghai) in the driver’s windshield. The flat-bottomed steering wheel, ergonomically sculpted shift lever, and 12.3-inch floating touchscreen infotainment system exude a combination of sportiness and contemporary style.
In this age where most luxury cars use faux or man-made leather, the 06 uses genuine leather to craft its sporty seats with 6-way electric adjustment and 4-way lumbar support. As a contrast to the leather seats, the 06 boasts of an eco-friendly cockpit using non-toxic, environment-friendly materials.
Unsurprisingly, the 06 includes several safety and tech features that tend to be available in other crossovers in its segment. But what makes the 06 exceptional is the thoughtful inclusion of distinct features (some very practical, others serving a more aesthetic purpose). For instance, the 06 boasts an “Antibacterial Steering Wheel” that is made of anti-microbial nano-silver for sterilization. The cabin features an ambient lighting system with 72 customizable colors to adapt to driving modes or match the driver’s mood. A B-pillar coat hook inside the cabin allows passengers to hang jackets or bags. The 06 is also equipped with a 360-degree panoramic camera with 14 viewing angles across four image scenes.
The ability of Lynk & Co to combine non-traditional elements with the fundamental principles of what makes a good car can make people (even non-foodies unfamiliar with the concept of “fusion”) take notice of the 06. It seems like Lynk & Co is serious with its mission “to challenge conventions and grow with the next generation.”
