There is a rule in the Western auto tuning tradition that a racing car must be kept as minimalistic and lightweight as possible. Southeastern Asia often favors a different approach, tuning the engine and the exterior but leaving the cabin stuffed with plenty of comfort features. Even so, this Lynk & Co. 03 is a remarkable exception.
The outside of the sedan looks arguably rather tame, wrapped in a Fast4ward vinyl that makes it look a bit like a taxi. The black hood cover with a carbon-fiber texture on it livens things up somewhat, and yellow accents throughout the body lend it a sporty appearance.
Interior is where things really get extreme. There is only one bucket seat inside for the driver, while the rest of the cabin is as empty as it gets. Not just the equipment, but even the upholstery and the noise proofing are gone! Whoever looks at this must think it’s a hardcore track tool and not a daily driver.
This makes it even harder to justify the stock engine. The Lynk & Co. 03 still relies on its tame 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder to propel it forward with 180 hp (134 kW) and 265 Nm (195 lb-ft) of torque. Seven-speed DCT sends the momentum to the rear wheels getting the sedan from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.9 seconds and ultimately to 205 km/h (127.4 mph). Here’s hoping an upgrade or a swap is planned for it in the future.