Some people are going to be burning their way home this Chinese New Year. Deliveries of the first Lynk & Co 03++ TCR Cyan models began around February 8 according to Geely.
We previously reported that sales began on October 19, 2023. Lynk & Co is best known for its SUV and crossover model with the 03 currently being the brand’s only sedan – although the new 07 will go on sale shortly. The standard 03 is available with 1.5T and 2.0T engines along with a PHEV using the 1.5T engine. A performance oriented 03+ launched in 2019 and used a performance boosted version of the 2.0T.
Chinese media seem to be referring to this new car as the Lynk & Co 03++ TCR Cyan although the car does clearly say 03+ on the back rather than with ++! Anyway whatever the name of the car it is meant to be the most powerful performance car ever produced in China.
So what power’s it? Well it’s still the 2.0 liter turbo but power is now up to 257 kW with torque of 450 Nm. Those figures are actually exactly the same as with the 03+ Racing 4WD edition but the new car is 420,200 yuan (USD58,400) versus just 285,700 yuan (USD39,700) for the former.
So if the engine is the same, what do you get for all that extra moolah? Well on paper you get less. Not only is this car only front wheel drive, but you also lose the back seats, although you can get a roll cage fitted in the back if you want. The top speed still seems to be capped at 250 km/h which is the same as even the base 03+ version. The Racing 4WD thanks to the uprated engine has an acceleration time of 4.9 seconds versus 5.7 for the regular 03+. Currently there is no official time for the new version but given it is FWD and 150 kg lighter it should be considerably quicker.
Appearance wise it has bigger air intakes plus a sportier front and huge spoiler at the back. Wing mirrors, wheels and door handles are all black. However, the car seems to lack the high-performance six-piston brake calipers previously announced.
While road legal the car is heavily based on the 03 TCR developed by Cyan Racing which has had considerable success in the World Touring Car Cup (WTCR). As such it is only available in the same blue color as used by the race team and features FIA-certified racing style bucket seats.
Performance cars in China got a kickstart when FAW Volkswagen began producing the sixth generation Golf GTI in 2010, such cars are still though a rarity.
