2026 is the gift that keeps on giving when it comes to the automotive world because of the multitude of car models being released since the beginning of the year. In a decision that left many people anticipating what’s ahead, Lynk & Co decided to expand the 08 EM-P SUV lineup with a new variant. The model is expected to drop in January 2026. The primary objective is to increase and diversify its mid-size SUV portfolio, giving customers a greater range to choose from.
The automotive industry landscape is shifting with the global focus on renewability
Many people who are not part of the die-hard car enthusiasts’ group are likely to be unaware of the company Lynk and Co simply because it does not have the longevity or notoriety of other companies, like, for instance, BMW and Nissan. Lynk & Co. is a Chinese automotive brand that is collaboratively owned by Geely and Zeekr. During its inception in 2016, Volvo Cars was also part of the ownership, but this all changed in 2024. The company is seen as a startup as it is responsible for initiating new sales models like the subscription model, which gives customers discounts if they are subscribed for a specific period.
In the past automotive industry environment, it was much harder for companies to gain relevance and make a name for themselves. However, in today’s technology-driven society, there is a greater number of smaller companies that are capitalizing on the success of electric vehicles. There is a bigger conversation to be had, which is: are the latest companies more suited to serve the current market than veteran corporations? Perhaps it might be overly early to have this conversation, but as each year goes by, the conversation is getting closer and closer.
Lynk & Co’s big Strategy: Expanding the 08 EM-P SUV lineup
Interestingly, Lynk & Co decided to expand its portfolio on the very first day of 2026, signalling its intention to take over the market from the beginning of the year. The upcoming car is priced at 189,800 yuan or approximately US$27,200, which is considered affordable for middle-income earners.
Historically, when a corporation decides to revamp a specific car, it is either capitalizing on the previous model’s success or it is conceding that the previous car was unable to generate enough revenue. The success of its previous versions heavily influenced Lynk & Co’s decision. According to reports, the new variant prioritizes a combination of performance and efficiency. The car was first introduced in 2025 and received excellent reviews for its hybrid system. Now, Lynk and Co would be hoping to receive even better reviews from customers who enjoyed the first one.
Analyzing Lynk & Co’s exterior features of the 08 EM-P SUV
When a company makes changes to its cars, it always aims to maintain some of the features that are a part of its core identity. As such, the new 08 EM-P SUV still possesses its now iconic plug-in hybrid architecture. It has a 1.5T Evo engine with a 3DHT Evo hybrid AWD +eAWD drive train. In terms of the output performance, one of the models is able to produce up to 456Kw.
Delving deeper into the impact of Lynk & Co’s 08 EM-P SUV
China is once again proving how intent it is to push technological innovation to the absolute limit. For instance, Zeekr entered the German market last year and now has helped in the creation of a car that travels 0-100km/hr in about 4.6 seconds.
The best part about the smaller upcoming corporations is that they have no limitations at all. As such, Lynk and Co could enjoy its most successful year since its inception. The company has gradually progressed over the years and is now part of the many small Chinese companies that collectively demonstrate its development. Another upcoming company is Leapmotor, which also unveiled the D99 flagship electric minivan.
