Comebacking Lynk & Co previews luxe SUV
IT’S HARD to break into the premium mobility market, but one track that many new companies are taking is to offer buyers, well, everything.
Everything comes in many forms. It can be performance, space, comfort, and — most especially — features and creature comforts. Now, a familiar brand is trying to make another splash in the Philippines via a new flagship SUV.
Lynk & Co Philippines is now distributed here under its mother brand Geely. This should mean fresh investment and better access to new products (and spare parts). Headlining the renewed Lynk & Co push is the 900 full-size SUV, which is targeting modern-day businesses and families.
Before the official launch of the model sometime this year, members of the media were treated by the brand to a 360-degree experience of the 900. Surprisingly, the venue wasn’t where you’d think a massive SUV would shine. We made our way to the Clark International Speedway to try the 900 for the first time.
Now, before we get to the actual experience, there’s a lot to unpack with the 900. This SUV brims with technology and features — a Silicon Valley tech executive’s dream realized on four wheels. The brain of the 900’s interior abilities is comprised of dual Qualcomm Snapdragon 8925 Intelligent Cockpit chipsets that support the multiple screens and software. There are two 30-inch screens — one on the dashboard, another above the second and third rows. Both boast 6K resolution.
Massive screens deserve a banging sound, and the 900 has a 31-speaker Harman Kardon system that supports Dolby Atmos. Even the headrests have two speakers embedded in them. Finally, the next cool feature is the customizable cabin layout of the second row, which can rotate 180 degrees to face the third, and even swivel to face the door opening to allow for easier ingress and egress.
The 900’s design is subtle; nothing out of the ordinary, but just clean and modern — exuding a sense of class. I like that the 900 comes with a split-tailgate feature that you don’t normally see anymore. It gives the tailgate more functionality.
Moving to the powertrain, the 900 is a PHEV and features a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four gasoline engine paired with dual electric motors; total output is a very healthy 724hp. Power is sent to all four wheels via a three-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT). We were able to test the zero-to-100kph ability during a “drag race,” and I have to say it’s the least dramatic drag race I’ve ever participated in — in a good way. There was neither drama nor wheel spin off the line. The 900 just steadily and easily accelerated to over 100kph with zero fuss. There was no savagery in the way the 900 speeds up. I bet that if you had your family in the car, they wouldn’t be able to guess you’re in a race.
Performance aside, the efficiency of the 900 is also top-notch; the conservative estimate of the brand is over 1,000km of combined range, which is right where you’d expect it.
Meanwhile, comfort is an important aspect of luxury, and the 900 makes that a priority. It’s equipped with what the brand calls the Intelligent Magic Carpet Suspension that actively predicts the road surface in advance to properly adjust itself for comfort. It also uses a closed dual-chamber air suspension system that can dramatically increase or decrease ride height when needed. We were able to drive over simulated bumps on the road at around 40kph to 50kph, and it was as smooth as advertised with almost no intrusions in the cabin.
That suspension system also has dynamic effects on the driving characteristics of the 900. Despite the size and weight, the 900 proved okay through corners and even on the tight simulated gymkhana course. Its buyers won’t be driving this way normally, but it’s nice to know the 900 can handle lively driving conditions when needed. Safety is also something Lynk & Co takes seriously. The 900 is packed with the latest ADAS systems that use multiple sensors and cameras, which are also all backed up by Lidar.
It’s important to note that this was a preview experience and the official launch is still a few weeks away. Having said that, the 900 as a package is hard to beat; you get the very best that the modern automotive experience can offer with almost zero compromise. It literally has everything. So, if you’re aiming for a plush SUV, best to wait until Lynk & Co releases this to the public.