The Lynk & Co 01 combines a 1.5 three-cylinder turbo with an electric motor and a 14.1 kWh battery, but suffers from typical plug-in hybrid issues. Reduced electric range, unsettled transitions between drive modes and disappointing fuel consumption with irregular charging are the most common problems with this plug-in hybrid (PHEV). Do you want to know exactly what owners are running into?
Electric range disappointing in real-world use
The WLTP standard promises up to 69 km of fully electric driving, but that figure only applies under ideal test conditions. In practice, many Lynk & Co 01 drivers achieve a significantly shorter range, especially on the motorway, at low temperatures or at higher speeds. As a result, the petrol engine cuts in more often than the brochure suggests.
This phenomenon is familiar to PHEV drivers. The battery runs down more quickly the faster you drive or when you turn the heater on. For anyone who covers long distances daily without charging in between, the electric benefit can quickly disappear. That means you will be using the car on petrol more often than you initially expected.
‘ With the Lynk & Co 01 the calibration is not always perfect, especially around engine start-up. ‘
Unsettled transition between electric and petrol
Some owners report that the petrol engine noticeably kicks in while driving. The three-cylinder sometimes has to work quite hard, which is audible and sometimes even tangible. This mainly occurs when the battery is almost empty or when you suddenly demand a lot of power, for example when overtaking or pulling away from a standstill.
The transition between electric and petrol drive is not always seamless. Although the drivetrain generally operates smoothly, fluctuations in response or brief moments of restlessness can occur. This is typical of plug-in hybrids. The software controls the interaction between the two power sources. With the Lynk & Co 01, the calibration is not always perfect, especially around engine start-up.
Fuel consumption rises quickly without regular charging
The official consumption figure is based on a test cycle in which you first drive electrically. Once the battery is empty and you run mainly on petrol, fuel consumption rises considerably. A heavy SUV with a small three-cylinder turbo is not economical when it has to perform without electric assistance.
For those who mainly use the car without a full battery, a large part of the PHEV advantage disappears. It is therefore important to charge regularly at home or at work. Without a fixed charging routine you will more quickly be confronted with higher fuel consumption than expected. This makes the Lynk & Co 01 particularly suitable for drivers who have access to a charging point.
Software and calibration issues in daily use
The drivetrain of the Lynk & Co 01 is heavily software-controlled. That has its advantages, but can also lead to minor malfunctions or calibration issues. User experiences point to isolated complaints. These are not purely mechanical. They have to do with the cooperation between the petrol engine, electric motor, battery and regeneration system.
Some owners mention variation in response or a feeling of a constantly switching system. This type of complaint is typical for a car with complex PHEV technology. Most problems are not dramatic, but they can affect driving comfort. Software updates can improve things in some cases, so it is wise to check the maintenance history and any updates when looking at used cars.
What to look out for as buyer or owner
When buying or using a Lynk & Co 01 there are a few concrete points to pay attention to. When buying used, always check the charging history. A PHEV only really makes sense if it is charged consistently. Without regular charging, the most beneficial feature of this type of car disappears.
During a test drive, check the transition between electric and petrol, especially with a low battery level and under hard acceleration. Pay attention to:
- Noises when the petrol engine starts up
- Jerky or hesitating behaviour during acceleration
- Restless response when the system switches between drive modes
- Power delivery at higher speeds with an empty battery
Also look at the maintenance and software history. With a software-driven PHEV, updates and correct operation are important. A car that has been regularly updated often suffers less from calibration problems than one that has missed services.
Real-world range heavily depends on usage
The electric range varies strongly depending on how the car is used. Many motorway miles, winter use or a sporty driving style noticeably reduce the range. The 69 km in the specifications is only achievable under favourable conditions, with moderate speeds and a mild outside temperature.
For those who mainly make short trips and can charge regularly, the Lynk & Co 01 offers sufficient electric capacity. Those who, on the other hand, drive long distances on a daily basis or have little access to a charging point will use the car on petrol more often. In that case it is important to realise that fuel consumption will be higher than the official figures suggest.
Residual value and market position
The residual value of the Lynk & Co 01 is under pressure, partly due to changing market interest in plug-in hybrids. The used-car market for PHEVs is sensitive to shifts in tax benefits and fuel prices. This makes the car less appealing for buyers who plan to sell it on in the longer term.
Even so, the Lynk & Co 01 is not a car with a fundamentally bad reputation. The main complaints are practical in nature and related to the limitations of PHEV technology in general. Those who can mostly charge at home or at work get the most benefit from the drivetrain. Without a fixed charging routine, you will more quickly encounter the downsides of a hybrid system.
On the Carnews website you will find more information about plug-in hybrids, maintenance tips and typical problems across different brands. Discover which car best suits your driving profile and read more about the experiences of other owners.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently mentioned PHEV-specific problems with the Lynk & Co 01 are a clearly lower real-world electric range than the stated 69 km, especially in cold weather and on the motorway. In addition, drivers report a sometimes restless or audible transition between electric and petrol, particularly with an empty battery or under hard acceleration. Fuel consumption in real use is much higher if the car is not charged consistently, causing it to behave more like a heavy petrol SUV. There are also occasional reports of software and calibration issues concerning the interaction between electric motor, petrol engine and battery.
The possible causes of these PHEV problems are mainly the difference between the ideal WLTP test conditions and real-world driving, the limited battery capacity in combination with driving style (a lot of motorway, cold weather, high speeds) and the software calibration between petrol and electric motor. As a result, the electric range is lower than stated and the petrol engine cuts in more often and more audibly. If you charge little or not at all, fuel consumption rises sharply and the car feels heavier and less efficient. The transition between electric and petrol can also be more jerky, reducing the smoothness and comfort of the drivetrain.
Yes, owners can limit PHEV-related problems by charging the car consistently so that the petrol engine has to provide heavy assistance less often. It also helps to plan fuel consumption and electric range realistically (keep short trips as electric as possible, avoid high speeds and short runs with a cold engine). Regular software updates and checking maintenance and charging history (explicitly have this checked during services) reduce the risk of drivetrain faults. Finally, it is sensible to go easy on kickdowns and heavy loads with an almost empty battery while driving, in order to limit unsettled transitions and extra wear.
For the PHEV-specific components (battery, electric motor, hybrid control) there are usually separate, longer factory warranties than for the rest of the car; check the exact duration and mileage limit in the warranty booklet or contract. In practice there are relatively few reports of actual failures of the PHEV technology in the Lynk & Co 01, and more complaints about the driving experience (transitions between electric and petrol, consumption, software). Dealer and brand support is perceived as mixed: some updates and settings are handled properly, but customers also report that not every dealer really delves into PHEV issues or immediately offers a lasting solution. It therefore pays to explicitly ask about the dealer’s PHEV experience and to check which updates and warranties have already been applied.
The PHEV-specific problems of the Lynk & Co 01 mainly depress the residual value because the real-world range and consumption are disappointing if you do not charge consistently, making the car less attractive to future owners. In addition, reports of an unsettled transition between electric and petrol and software/calibration issues create extra uncertainty for used-car buyers. Combined with the declining popularity of PHEVs in some markets, this puts pressure on used prices for the 01. As a result, the residual value may fall short of what you would expect based on the list price.
