Lynk & Co and Nio from China awarded full 5-star Euro NCAP rating



After many generations of sub-standard build quality and durability, more and more China-made cars are achieving the highest ranking in the Euro NCAP crash safety assessment.

Both the Lynk & Co 01 and Nio ES8 have achieved a five-star rating in the latest Euro NCAP assessment. The Lynk & Co 01 scored a remarkable 96% in the Adult Occupant category, with a full score of 16 in the Lateral Impact test, while the Nio ES8 achieved a score of 82%.   

Both vehicles then fared very well in the Child Occupant category with the Lynk & Co 01 scoring 87% versus 84% in the Nio ES8. Under the Vulnerable Road Users category which assesses the vehicle’s active and passive safety systems in response to pedestrians and cyclists, the Nio ES8 scored 72% while the smaller Lynk & Co 01 scored similar marks with 71%.

It is however the Nio ES8 model’s advanced driver safety assist system that thoroughly impressed the assessors, scoring full marks on all sub-categories except one which is AEB Car-to-Car, summarised by a final score of 92%.

Relatively unknown, Lynk & Co uses lifestyle and community themes to sell its 01 model. More about their latest showroom here!

The Lynk & Co 01 meanwhile achieved a respectable score of 81%. The previous China-made cars to achieve a five-star Euro NCAP rating are the MG ZS and HS models in the 2019 assessment.

“Lynk & Co and Nio showed that ‘Made in China’ is no longer a pejorative term when it comes to car safety.  Here we have two new cars, both Chinese-developed, performing extremely well in our tests.  It’s clear that all manufacturers know that Euro NCAP will hold them to high standards if they want to sell cars in Europe and gratifying that they are prepared to make the investment to get the best safety ratings,” said Euro NCAP, Secretary General, Michiel van Ratingen.

The Nio ES8 is a crossover or SUV that has similar dimensions with key large three-row premium models such as the Audi Q7 and Volvo XC90. Seen as a premium EV specialist from China, the Nio ES8 offers up to 598 hp and 725 Nm of torque in a dual-motor setup.

Performance figures of the Nio ES8 are 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds and a range of up to 580 km with the long-range battery pack. One of the key selling points of Nio in China is the battery swapping service, with owners able to change to a fully charged battery in just under 90 seconds at one of over 160 swapping stations.      

Between the two brands, Lynk & Co has started its European presence last year, with the first showroom or Lynk & Co Club opened in Amsterdam, the Netherlands while Nio will begin sales in Oslo, Norway as soon as this month.

The Nio ET7 sedan looks so good in white, making other 3-box EVs looks mundane. Check out the 653 hp ET7 here!

The Lynk & Co 01 meanwhile is a compact crossover similar in size to a Volvo XC40 and is available with either a 197-hp self-charging or 261-hp plug-in hybrid that also serves other Volvo and Geely models.


GALLERY

2021 Lynk & Co 01

2021 NIO ES8