Lynk&Co 07 GT Rally Academy Turns a Chinese Hybrid Into a Rally Car

Lynk&Co has unveiled the 07 GT Rally Academy, described as the first Chinese rally car to use a hybrid powertrain. Compared with the standard sedan, the new competition-focused version has undergone extensive modifications.

The Lynk&Co 07 GT Rally Academy retains the standard hybrid powertrain, which is based around a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with a thermal efficiency of 47.26%, one of the highest figures in the world. It works with a three-speed transmission and two electric motors, producing up to 530 horsepower and 564 lb-ft of torque. Peak torque is available almost from idle. The car has a combined driving range of 884 miles.

The car uses a magnetorheological suspension system with a response time of just 1 millisecond and adjustment rates of up to 1,000 times per second. The sedan also gets a predictive system that scans the road ahead and adjusts the damper settings accordingly.

The new 07 GT Rally Academy is distinguished from the standard Lynk&Co 07 GT by a reinforced chromoly steel safety cage welded directly to the body. It increases torsional rigidity by 40%. Because the car is designed for rally competition, it also features a fire-suppression system with three nozzles that can be activated either manually or automatically. The standard front seats have been replaced with racing seats equipped with six-point harnesses. Engineers have also fitted the car with an adjustable pedal box.

As part of the rally preparation, the suspension was extensively reworked. Engineers increased ground clearance by 1 inch and upgraded the bushings and springs to handle higher loads. Reinforced anti-roll bars were also installed. The sedan gets high-performance carbon-ceramic brakes, while the electronic parking brake has been replaced by a mechanical system with a hydraulic handbrake lever designed to make quick turns easier.

Visually, the Lynk&Co 07 GT Rally Academy stands apart with a more aggressive body kit designed to increase downforce. A three-piece carbon-fiber splitter has been added at the front. At the rear, there is an adjustable wing with three angle-of-attack settings, while a diffuser sits beneath the rear bumper.

The Chinese automaker says engineers also reprogrammed the powertrain control system, adding three modes: one for driving through the service park, one for special stages and another designed to deliver maximum power on straights. The regenerative braking system has also been upgraded. Under heavy braking, it can send up to 40 kW of energy back to the battery, which can be particularly useful on winding mountain roads.