Lynk & Co Z10 static analysis: Not as greasy as SU7, targeting the "e-sports gen
Four years ago, when Geely Group officially launched the SEA Ocean Platform, the first concept car was named LYNK & CO ZERO. However, everyone assumed that Lynk & Co would enter the pure electric market from this point, but later this model turned into the Ji Krypton 001, and Lynk & Co's pure electric vehicle plan was shelved.
This shelving lasted for four years, coinciding with the time span of a generation of models.
But as the saying goes, good food is not afraid of being late. Over the past four years, China's pure electric vehicle market has also undergone rapid changes, and the demand for products has transitioned from "feeling the stones to cross the river" to having clear goals. Coupled with the exploration from "NIO, XPeng, and Li Auto" to "Huami Ji," the consumer group in the entire pure electric sedan market has also expanded significantly.
For Lynk & Co, the chances of success in launching its first pure electric vehicle at this time are greater.
Now, Lynk & Co's first electric vehicle model has officially been unveiled, also initiating a new naming method—Lynk & Co Z10.01
Regarding Naming
The name Lynk & Co Z10 is not surprising. The letter Z stands for Zero, as it is the definition of Lynk & Co's earliest pure electric concept car, and "0" is also an important element in Lynk & Co's naming, so continuing the naming element of Zero can be seen as inheriting the brand's fundamental starting point. However, the Z is relatively smaller than the "10," more like a subscript design.
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The newly initiated "1" series is a distinction from Lynk & Co's previous "0" series, marking a new sequence. If the "0" series represents Lynk & Co's product line with engines, then the "1" series is the code for pure electric products, which also signifies that Lynk & Co has officially entered the pure electric race.
Of course, the name Z10 itself contains two "0" elements, also foreshadowing that this car represents Lynk & Co's brand starting "from zero" once again.Interestingly, the sequence number 10 also happens to be greater than 09, does this also imply that the new car's positioning is higher than that of the Lynk & Co 09?
02
Overall Dimensions
As the flagship product of the Lynk & Co brand, the Lynk & Co Z10 indeed has a size that lives up to its flagship status, being more than two sizes larger than the A-class 03 and B-class 07.
Looking at the specific exterior dimensions, the Lynk & Co Z10 also adheres to the standard "532", with the body dimensions provided by Lynk & Co being 5028×1966×1468mm. It can be said that a car length of over 5 meters, a body width close to 2 meters, and a wheelbase of 3005mm, already possess the presence of a mid-to-large luxury sedan, and it does not fall behind its competitors in comparison.It is worth mentioning that its vehicle height of 1468mm brings a rather classic aspect ratio, precisely the golden ratio of 1.34. Of course, the new car will be paired with dual-chamber air suspension, which can further lower the vehicle height to 1463mm.
From the front, the Lynk & Co Z10 will have a low-slung appearance, making it more sporty than Lynk & Co's first two sedans.
In fact, achieving a vehicle height of 1468mm on a pure electric sedan is also quite challenging. Due to the impact of the battery pack, a low vehicle height can compress the Z-axis space inside the cabin, so the rear headroom of models like the Xiaomi SU7 or the Zeekr 007 will be affected to some extent. What the Lynk & Co Z10 will be like will be revealed in the following text.
For products with "532" dimensions, there is also a problem that the size is indeed large enough, but the issue it brings is that the drag coefficient usually increases accordingly, so products like the Zeekr 001 do not promote the drag coefficient much.However, this time Lynk & Co. has stated that due to the extensive use of aerodynamic design solutions, this large pure electric coupe with a size of 5 meters has a drag coefficient of only 0.198Cd—Lynk & Co. did not disclose under what conditions the test data was obtained. Judging purely from the numerical aspect, it should be said to be on par with the Xiaomi SU7.
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Exterior Design
From the "532" size standard, it can also be seen that the Lynk & Co. Z10 continues to use the SEA architecture and the PMA-1 platform, making it a platform product alongside models such as the Zeekr 001, Ji Yue 01, and Ji Yue 07. With the same platform architecture, how to design a model with its own brand characteristics depends on each brand's craftsmanship.
This time, the Lynk & Co. Z10 does not continue the design of the second-generation concept car THE NEXT DAY, but instead "fully restores" the design of THE NEXT DAY.Due to its ample size, the Lynk & Co Z10 you see adopts a more pure Lynk & Co design, with no compromises. Lynk & Co is also proud to say, "The Z10 is all about original design."
Compared to the first generation's urban-inspired urban contrast aesthetics, the second generation design is inspired by sunrise, emphasizing more on the gradient light and shadow lines, combining the opposing elements of technology and nature. Therefore, the design theme of the Lynk & Co Z10 is also defined as "Tomorrow's Style."
The entire front fascia design is consistent with the previous Lynk & Co 08 and 07, with the traditional headlight position replaced by a slim LED light group that forms the daytime running lights, known as the "Dawn Light." This actually continues the daytime running light design element of the first-generation Lynk & Co — only at that time, due to technological limitations, a lamp cover was needed, but now it can be fully realized with LED light beads.
At the very front of the front fascia is a light group called the "Ultra-Thin Fiber Headlight." This headlight strip was not present on the concept car, so to minimize the presence of the light group on the car model, Lynk & Co designers adopted a brand-new Valeo dual-module headlight. However, the overall illumination brightness is not affected, with the furthest projection distance reaching 412 meters. At the same time, there are also many LED light beads on the entire through-type headlight, arranged in a dotted pattern, rather than the common through-type light strip.It is worth mentioning that although the Lynk & Co Z10 shares similar design elements with the 08 and 07 models, the sense of sportiness it conveys is entirely different. Clearly, the Lynk & Co Z10 appears more sporty and performance-oriented, and the reason is the sharper front fascia of the Z10, especially since the entire hood is positioned lower than the Dawn Light Daytime Running Lights, coupled with a concave design that further accentuates the sense of sharpness.
04
Playing with Lights
In terms of some details, the first aspect to note is that the roof-mounted LiDAR on the Lynk & Co Z10 is also made very small and blends well with the body, without being obtrusive.Next, a crescent-shaped black trim was added to the rear end of the hood. Lynk & Co. explained that this was to increase the dark area of the driver's field of vision, to avoid glare, and is similar to the sunglasses design of the Airbus A350. Upon closer inspection, one can see that this black trim also features vertical stripes, which are a thematic element of the Lynk & Co. Z10.
In fact, a prominent selling point of this car is called the "Chameleon Interactive Light Strip," which is composed of numerous RGB LED beads and can offer a variety of interactive effects. Those who are fond of esports, especially the post-2000s generation, should be quite familiar with this.
Lynk & Co. stated that the "Chameleon Interactive Light Strip" design is an industry-first, integrating 414 RGB LEDs that display 256 colors, spanning a total length of 3.4 meters front and back. Coupled with over 400 white LED beads inside and outside the vehicle, this creates a very enchanting and vibrant lighting effect, evoking a cyberpunk urban feel.
Moreover, Lynk & Co. also indicated that the effects of the Chameleon Interactive Light Strip can be upgraded through OTA (Over-The-Air) updates to present different display effects. This seems to have taken the art of light play to another level, completely different from the interactive light strips on the Zeekr 007, and has transformed the automotive "light play" from a simple white and yellow to a full spectrum of colors.05
Side Styling
The side profile of the Lynk & Co Z10 actually adopts the currently popular sports coupe style, but the downward slope of the roofline only begins from the C-pillar, with a very flat design in the middle of the roof. At the same time, after the C-pillar, the roofline and the water channel converge together, making the entire shape quite sporty and visually very smooth.
Moreover, the Lynk & Co Z10 retains the design style of the triangular rear window, not adopting the anti-shark fin style like the Lynk & Co 07. This is actually mainly due to the relatively low height of the entire body of the Lynk & Co Z10, eliminating the need to reduce height through visual optimization methods.Above the waistline of the car body, the Lynk & Co Z10 features a through-style design that connects from the front daytime running lights to the rear spoiler, giving an overall impressive visual appeal. The waistline design does not pass through the door handles, which positions the waistline higher up, enhancing the car's proportions. The lower waistline has an upward design, maintaining a dynamic posture, and the front and rear fenders also feature pressed wheel arches, enriching the side profile with more layers and details.
Although the side view of the Lynk & Co Z10 may seem ordinary, it conceals the complexity of the design and craftsmanship. For instance, the car employs a hidden water-cut design with a full length of 4342mm, hiding all external water-cut rubber strips inside, resulting in a clean and pure appearance. Additionally, the 40-degree side metalwork angle on the inside creates one of the most powerful curved door shapes in its class, which is no small feat in terms of craftsmanship.
The door handle design may appear conventional, but it incorporates capacitive sensing technology. When a hand approaches the handle, the door will pop out, making the act of opening the door more elegant.
The remaining design elements are relatively standard, including frameless doors, a two-tone roof, and 21-inch low-drag wheels. The car is available in three exterior colors: Fluid Grey, Dawn Red, and Twilight Blue.06
Rear End
The rear end of the Lynk & Co Z10 is all about maximizing the sense of sportiness. On top of the already sporty ducktail design, it conceals an active rear spoiler—capable of rising by 15 degrees when the speed exceeds 70 km/h, adding to its eye-catching appeal. It is said that in the future, through OTA (Over-The-Air) updates, it could be upgraded to a three-stage lifting mechanism, which would be quite a show-off feature.
From the rear, one can see that the Lynk & Co Z10 features a full-length panoramic skylight without any crossbeams, with an area of 1.96 square meters. At the end of the rear window, there is also a black strip of trim, which primarily echoes the design of the front hood.The taillight section is the standard treatment of this generation of Lynk & Co's design, featuring a through-style broken-point light strip and additional protrusions on both sides. This design is known as the "Yingneng Fantasy Tail Lights."
The bottom part is designed in the same color as the body, creating a shape for the exhaust while also hiding the reflectors within, which can be considered as rich in layers and cleverly designed.
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Interior
The naming of the interior design of the Lynk & Co Z10 is also quite interesting, with the dark interior called "Dawn Break," and the light interior called "Morning." If we only consider the "Dawn Break" interior color scheme photographed this time, the Lynk & Co Z10 has returned somewhat to a "nightclub style," which is more in line with the young consumers' perception of the Lynk & Co brand as "trendy," compared to the overly homely style on the Lynk & Co 07 EM-P.In fact, the interior elements of the Lynk & Co Z10 are consistent with the 07, using a large number of hollowed-out designs, arc shapes, and slender lines to reflect a sense of suspension or "lightness" in the interior. However, compared to the Lynk & Co 07, it places a greater emphasis on a sense of technology.
For instance, Lynk & Co designers refer to the design of the front IP console as the "Starship Wing Dashboard," interpreting it as "inspired by the shape of a starship gently landing on the moon's surface, with a full sense of technological atmosphere, creating a driving space with a strong sense of future technology."
This includes a central protruding design that integrates the air vents and speakers, resembling the lookout window of a starship. The entire surface of the front IP console has a "wing" design outline, with vertical fine lines at the edges, like air flowing over. The material and craftsmanship of the entire front IP console also have Lynk & Co's characteristic special treatment, including a design with a certain grainy texture and a matte feel.
The front dashboard is more slender, but instead of using the currently popular hidden air vents, a vertical LED strip is used on the facade. Like the exterior light strip, this interior ambient light strip is also composed of 59 RGB light beads, and can even display different colors in coordination with air conditioning control, music playback, and other functions, which is quite trendy.The central control console with a bottom-hollow design is referred to as the "Starship Bridge," resembling a corridor extending from a starship, with arc-shaped sides on both ends, making the entire design very clean and simple. In addition to a wireless charging panel and cup holder cover, there is also a crystal button, complemented by restrained rose gold trim, highlighting a sense of technology and luxury.
Lynk & Co Z10 also stands out in its use of screens. The front instrument panel features a slim and elongated 12.3:1 aspect ratio ultra-long horizontal screen, as well as a 25.6-inch HUD, which is very distinctive. The use of the elongated front instrument panel has also led Lynk & Co designers to modify the steering wheel design, opting for a sporty dual-flat-bottom steering wheel, which allows for a more spacious front view.
The central control screen is a 15.4-inch floating large screen with an 8mm narrow bezel. The specifications include a 2.5K resolution, low reflectivity, a contrast ratio of 1500:1, an 85% NTSC wide color gamut, and an 800nit high-brightness display. In terms of display effect, it has entered the first tier. The in-car system, as expected, is Flyme Auto, and the overall experience of the current in-car system is quite smooth.In terms of the entertainment system, the Lynk & Co Z10 also brings a power amplifier with a maximum power of 1600W and a Harman Kardon sound system with 23 speakers, supporting WANOS audio effects. The entire concert hall effect can be said to be fully maximized. It is believed that this will have a very eye-catching performance during the actual vehicle experience.
Comfortable Cabin
In fact, starting from the Lynk & Co 08, the brand's cabin has been focusing on comfort, especially after the Lynk & Co 07 switched to a lighter interior design style, the overall tone shifted from a nightclub vibe to a homely comfort, but still maintaining the Nordic minimalist design aesthetic.The cabin of the Lynk & Co Z10 is no exception, featuring a generous use of soft materials for wrapping, with nearly every touchable surface covered in leather. The two front seats are extremely spacious, closely resembling the style of seats found in the second row of an MPV, and the adjustable leg rests in the front row are also quite wide and comfortable. Additionally, the seat angles can be freely adjusted from 87° to 159°, complemented by heating, ventilation, and massage functions. The driver's seat also boasts a Harman Kardon headrest audio design, making it a fully loaded configuration.
The rear seats also focus on luxury and comfort, with the leg rests of the two main seats being specifically elongated, and the rear seats being the only ones in their class to feature ventilation, heating, and massage functions.
It is worth mentioning that the rear central seat is quite spacious, and there is no feeling of crowding when sitting in the middle. If the rear central armrest is lowered, the entire armrest area reaches 1700 square centimeters, highlighting a sense of luxury.
Additionally, the smart touch screen provided allows for the adjustment of seat functions, eliminating the need to get up and adjust at the central air vent. However, it is unclear whether it is due to the engineering vehicle, the damping of the central armrest adjustment is quite average.
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Space ExperienceIn terms of space, the Lynk & Co Z10 has no issues with either its lateral or longitudinal space, which is evident in the generous width of each seat, allowing for a comfortable reclining position.
For a passenger with a height of 174cm, when the seating position is adjusted to the lowest, there is still approximately one fist and four fingers of headroom in the front row. However, the overall visibility shares a common issue with all pure electric sedans, which is that the A-pillar is too steep, causing some obstruction. Additionally, if one sits too high, there will be a sensation of being blocked by the upper edge of the windshield.
The legroom in the back row is quite ample, with a surplus of about three fists. But due to the low profile of the vehicle, even with a panoramic sunroof, the headroom is only a little over four fingers, and the back of the headrest is right up against the roof crossbeam.
Additionally, there is an issue where rear passengers cannot stretch their feet under the front seats, which can be a bit awkward for those who prefer to recline, as their knees cannot fully extend. However, compared to the cramped rear seats found in many other compact electric models, the Lynk & Co Z10 has actually done quite well and meets the needs of the average household consumer.Jiashi Summary
By the time you read this article, the Lynk & Co Z10 has already been unveiled in Gothenburg, Sweden, and the new car will arrive at dealerships in early July, with official pre-sales starting at the end of July.
Lynk & Co positions the Z10 as a "new high-end smart flagship pure electric sedan," but we believe it could be more precisely defined as a "high-end trendy sports pure electric coupe." After all, it is currently the only car that equips the entire vehicle's light strip with RGB light beads, which should appeal to the aesthetic preferences of e-sports youth who are willing to spend forty to fifty thousand yuan on a desktop computer.
At the same time, the sufficiently large body size, trendy exterior design, coupled with the Flyme Auto infotainment system, this car is likely to be very suitable for the post-90s generation who have entered family life, resonating with their desire for a vibrant and unstuffy inner world.
Finally, if this car is priced at the 250,000 yuan level, then I would like to say:The first all-electric sedan for the post-2000s generation doesn't have to be the Xiaomi SU7!
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