Lynk & Co 07 EM-P Sports Wagon: Could The Chinese Challenge Audi At Its Own Game?

The automotive world doesn’t hand out many surprises these days. It’s all SUVs, crossovers, and the occasional electric box that vaguely resembles a car. But every so often, something new pops up that actually makes you stop scrolling. Enter Lynk & Co, the not-so-secret lovechild of Geely, one of China’s biggest automakers, and Volvo, that’s quietly building a portfolio of surprisingly stylish vehicles. One of their latest additions is the 07 EM-P, a slick-looking plug-in hybrid mid-size sedan.

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That got us thinking. Would the West gravitate towards the 07 EM-P (and other Chinese models) if offered as an apex-clipping, high-performance wagon to compete with the Audi RS5 Avant, BMW M3 Touring, and Mercedes-AMG C63 Performance? Let’s explore further.

A New Breed of Performance Wagon

First off, any performance wagon worth its salt has to look the part. Fortunately, Lynk & Co is already on the right track with the 07 EM-P sedan. Hidden headlamps? Check. Vertically stacked DRLs? Nice. Two-tone roof? Trendy. Full-width taillight cluster? Yes, you’re doing great, sweetie.

But performance wagons are all about turning heads at speed, so we’d take this design and dial it up to 11. Our study adds a boot-load of visual spice with a broader stance by incorporating pumped front fenders, bold rear haunches, huge wheels, front and rear diffusers and sleek quarter glass that wraps around into the rear tailgate.

Plug-in Performance

Now, let’s talk guts. Underneath the practical, go-fast exterior, our study packs a potent plug-in hybrid system that blends a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with a high-output rear-axle electric motor. This combination would ideally deliver a mammoth 600 hp (450 kW), a significant step up from the standard 07 EM-P and enough to challenge Germany’s plug-in C63.

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The hybrid setup would include an 18.7 kWh battery good for a decent 62 miles (100 km) of silent, guilt-free commuting (or stealthily creeping away from your HOA’s noise complaints). Combine that with a 3-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT), and, theoretically speaking, you’ve got a wagon capable of smashing 0-60 mph in under 3.3 seconds. After all, if your groceries aren’t arriving at warp speed, are you even trying?

Technology and Interior

The interior of the Lynk & Co 07 sedan pictured above would be upgraded with sporty touches.

Step inside, and the screen-dominated cabin offers a 92-inch augmented reality HUD, a 12.3-inch full LCD instrument panel, and a 15.4-inch central infotainment screen powered by LYNK Flyme Auto. This interface provides seamless connectivity with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Lynk & Co’s proprietary app, which allows remote access to various car functions.

And because wagons are all about practicality, there’d be a Skoda Octavia-rivaling 22 cubic feet (620 liters) of cargo space in the rear, perfect for tossing in sports gear, an IKEA haul, or just impressing your friends who still drive compact sedans.

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Other interior highlights would feature a carbon fiber and Alcantara flat-bottom steering wheel paired with body-hugging sports seats. Additional perks would include customizable ambient lighting and premium materials, with a nod to sustainability – think recycled fabrics and eco-friendly leather for that touch of guilt-free luxury.

Challenging the Status Quo

A go-fast hybrid wagon would be a bold and risky move for any new automaker. After all, wagons are a niche market, and “niche” is really just a fancy way of saying “nobody buys these things in bulk.” Still, from a performance standpoint, this hypothetical Lynk & Co wagon could hold its own against heavyweights like the BMW M3 Touring, Audi RS4/RS5, Mercedes-AMG C63, and even Volvo’s V60 Recharge. Heck, throw in NIO’s ET5 for some extra competition.

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So, would you take the plunge on a Lynk & Co performance wagon if they ever decided to make one? Or is this just another automotive pipe dream destined for the “what could’ve been” pile? Let us know in the comments below – and, as always, wagons forever.

The Lynk & Co 07 EM-P plug-in hybrid sedan was launched in China earlier this year with a starting price of under $24,000.