Lynk & Co has decided to publish a handful of photos of its upcoming 08 midsize SUV ahead of its full unveiling, which is expected to take place on March 25. Based on a platform developed with the assistance of Volvo, the new plug-in hybrid SUV will set the design language for the brand’s near future.
Although there are only a few photos to look at, we have enough to see that the avant-garde SUV will be handsome, if a little unorthodox. At the front, a distinct lack of grille conveys that this will be an electrified vehicle, while the fork-like LED DRLs are a simplified take on the brand’s old headlights.
Black cladding along the wheel arches covers only the top of them and helps highlight the large, ornate, multi-spoke wheels. Further back, another piece of black body cladding is placed just behind the front wheels, on the side door. This rises up and becomes the stalk for the side mirrors in an unusual, but not unattractive fashion.
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The flush door handles position help leave the rounded shoulder line of the new Lynk & Co 08 unperturbed. An accent line and a deep gouge into the lower side also give the SUV a sculptural quality.
At the back, the taillights extend all the way across the rear of the vehicle, with two raised elements in the center, bracketing the Lynk & Co badge. The subtle use of black on the roof pillars and the lower section of the vehicle, help shrink the car visually.
The single released photo of the interior is shrouded in darkness, revealing little other than the infotainment screen. The large touchscreen is installed in the portrait orientation and shows mobile phone-like tiles for a variety of apps.
Although Lynk & Co won’t reveal much else until March 25, Russia’s Kolesa reports that the 08 will be based on the CMA platform, which was co-developed with Volvo. Power is expected to come from a plug-in hybrid powertrain that features a 1.5-liter four-cylinder, turbocharged engine. Whether any additional drivetrain options will be offered remains to be seen.
