The upcoming Lynk & Co 04 hatchback has been spied during winter testing. This prototype, unlike others spied in the past, 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.

According to our sources, 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.

Photo credits: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops