The new Geely-created brand Lynk & Co has unveiled its first vehicle — an SUV known as the “01” that will reportedly be shareable by “anyone at anytime” through a digital platform. So, it’s something similar to Airbnb, but for cars.
This first SUV model will be accompanied by three more models by 2021 (a sedan, a hatchback, and a crossover), according to the company. All of the models, including the just unveiled “01,” will be available as hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants, with an all-electric variant also being a possibility for future release.
The models will all make use of Volvo’s Compact Modular Architecture (CMA), and various components.
Sister site Gas2 writes,
“Under the skin, the Lynk & Co 01 will share its Compact Modular Architecture underpinnings with an upcoming compact Volvo SUV, the XC40. That car was previewed earlier this year as the Volvo 40.1 concept. Geely says it 01 (that’s the car’s only name for the moment) offers full connectivity thanks to an open sourced digital platform developed by Microsoft and Alibaba. The chassis has been designed to score well in all international crash test protocols.
“Lynk & Co has designed the 01 to be shared. Owners can generate virtual keys accessed via smartphones to allow the car to be shared with friends or used as a car-share vehicle. Time stamps and geofencing apply to the keys, which can be disabled after a set time or after the car is returned to a particular location. That means your car should be back and parked where you expect to find it when you need it next. A continuous internet connection to the car via Lynk & Co’s cloud services will also allow for live updates on where the car is at all times.”
Further details are sparse, but wireless charging, a large touchscreen, voice-activated vehicle controls, and a panoramic roof will all factor in, according to the company.
The Lynk & Co 01 is expected to go on sale in China sometime in 2017, with a European launch following in 2018 and a US launch sometime after that.
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