Lynk & Co 05 AWD: A premium and sporty fastback crossover
I’m typically wary of driving Chinese made or branded vehicles, not because they are from China, not because they appeal to a lower price segment, but because they typically have very poor build quality, fit and finish and ergonomics. Their driving dynamics are suspect, feeling flimsy, like a wet noodle being tossed around when the roads get twisty, curvy or bumpy, or when speeds start piling up. The focus always seems to be on the “technology” or perhaps more apt, the convenience features fitted into them.
There are of course numerous exceptions to this, like Aito, Zeekr, the Lotus EVs, the latest generation of Volvo EVs and the Lynk & Co 05 I test drove recently.
Interestingly, Zeeker, Lotus, Volvo and Lynk & Co all fall under Geely’s stable, of which even Geely I found pleasant and enjoyable to drive while still packing all the technology you can imagine (around-view camera, full ADAS safety suite, autonomous parking assist, car-summon function on select models).
The name Lynk & Co name signifies interconnectedness and a youthful, modern brand ethos, with “Lynk” referring to the connected nature of its vehicles and ride-sharing programs, and “& Co” intended to convey a sense of being “Connected” or “Company” to a young, open urban audience. It’s definitely aimed at a younger, more youthful crowd such as the last of the millenials and the early Gen Z generation. What’s a xellenial like me gonna do with it?
Thankfully, as I discovered, the 05 appeals top people who enjoy driving cars, providing impressive driving dynamics.
Lynk & Co’s 05 is a premium and sporty fastback crossover. Its coupe-like body style is inspired by the likes of Audi’s Q8, the BMW X6 and newer iX2, and the Lamborghini Urus.
A powerful 2.0 liter turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine provides over 250hp and 350 Newton-Meters of torque, available from 1800 to 4800rpm. It drives all four wheels via an Aisin-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission with the all-wheel drive system from Borg-Warner, all big-name OEM suppliers to US, Europe and Japan.
Inside, the 05 has supple but supportive perforated two-tone leather seats in black and cream nubuck, a minimum of physical buttons plus a 12.8 inch LCD infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto mobile phone connectivity. Your tunes are then played on a 10-speaker Infinity surround-sound system. There’s also a customizable 12.3-inch high definition display instrument cluster for the driver, plus a 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters and auxiliary controls for the infotainment system, cruise control and in-car trip computer. Huge 20-inch wheels wrapped in 235/45R20 Goodyear Eagle Asymmetric tires provide grip. Despite the firm suspension and licorice-thin tires, the 05 is surprisingly comfortable, with exceptional body control. Harshness is kept at a minimum so you can really daily-drive this.
The Lynk & Co 05 has L2 autonomous driving capabilities which consist of both active and passive safety features, including an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) with functions like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist, and Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian detection.
On the road, the Lynk & Co 05 doesn’t immediately show its driving athleticism, preferring instead to drive smoothly, with a minimum of drama. The steering is light and easy, the brakes a tad over-assisted but also reassuring in the cut-and-thrust environment of Metro Manila rush hour. On the highway, it delivers a very efficient 14km/liter. I was in the ragged edge of the speed limit as I was late for an appointment jn Tagaytay. A drive down to more efficient speeds of 85-90kmh would have yielded further improvements.
But if you’re really in a rush, floor the throttle and chuck the 05: it truly comes alive, waking up if you have 40% or greater throttle input. It feels like a mature version if a simmering, if not quite hot hatch, throwing a lot of gusto and energy, even if its tall ride height ultimately blunts its responsiveness and your willingness to take liberties behind the wheel. Nonetheless, the 05 is barrels full of fun on a tight mountain pass where speeds don’t get too high, but suspension travel and all-terrain ability takes precedence over outright mechanical grip, speed and cornering prowess. In short, if you’re a little older and wiser, but still having a good b-road blast while having to deal with adult responsibilities, the Lynk & Co 05 is a vastly capable, versatile, enjoyable and fairly efficient ‘ute that’s stylish, thanks to its partly Scandinavian heritage.
