Lynk & Co has penalized one of its executives for accidentally leaking the upcoming Z20 refresh. Image modified by CarNewsChina. Understand China EV’s Market Real-time notifications when critical EV data is released All important data in one place 2,000,000+ data points Become a member A Lynk & Co executive was fined 50,000 yuan (around 7,500 USD) after a livestream accidentally leaked details of the upcoming refresh of the Z20 EV hatchback, including a rear spoiler kit and a new model name: the “Lynk & Co 20”. The livestream session was filmed by Ma La Che Shi, an online Chinese automotive outlet, at the Geely sub-brand’s Chengdu factory, and included footage of assembly lines and several prototype models. Screen captures from the ill-fated livestream. Credit: Weibo – Niu Wan Ke Ji Videos show a walk-around of the new Lynk & Co 20 in bright yellow, which was equipped with a front splitter, side skirts, and a large rear spoiler. The session was then abruptly cut short, with Lynk & Co senior staff at the scene audibly asking to “cut off” the livestream. Some Chinese internet users, or “netizens”, speculated that this was a staged event to drum up interest for the Z20’s refresh, but Lynk & Co’s reported internal penalties claim otherwise. Lynk & Co’s leaked penalty memo In a twist of irony, the brand’s internal penalties were leaked to the public shortly after the ill-fated livestream. A leaked internal memo accuses the executive who arranged the livestream of “not checking assembly line scheduling”, and blames them for “damaging the rhythm of new model launches”. The memo continues by invoking Lynk & Co’s “Employee Behaviour Management Guidelines”, and awards the executive a “negative bonus” of 50,000 yuan (around 7,500 USD). It also claims to have recorded a serious demerit for the executive and issued a “severe written warning”. Lynk & Co’s leaked internal penalty memo. Credit: Wa Xian Ren Yao Jia Dian Interestingly, the memo concludes that, owing to the executive’s “repentant attitude”, Lynk & Co has handed out only “light” penalties and asks all employees to “defend the red lines of confidentiality”. What’s new with the Z20 / 20? The most obvious change is the hatchback’s name: the “Z” is gone, and it’s now the “20”. Lynk & Co has made the same move with the Z10 sedan, renaming its refresh the “10” after introducing a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain to the model lineup. The new 20 also gets a major facelift, ditching the lower side-vent headlamps for a lightbar design seen on the brand’s other models. It also gets new wheels and a roof-mounted LiDAR unit, hinting at advanced assisted-driving capabilities. On the powertrain side, the new 20 gets Geely’s new 16-in-1 “Thunder” electric drive architecture, which combines 12 hardware modules and 4 software systems into a single 75 kg drive unit. It is built on an 800V platform, and RWD trims will put out 245 kW (329 hp). Interior details haven’t been leaked, but the 20 is expected to feature bright yellow accents and “Downforce” badging, also seen on the hatchback’s aero bits and brake callipers. Chinese sources expect that the new 20 will be officially revealed on August 21 at the Chengdu Auto Show. More on the Z20 / 20 According to China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), the new Lynk & Co 20 measures 4,495 mm in length, 1,845 mm in width, and 1,573 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,755 mm. It features front McPherson struts and rear five-bar multi-link suspension. The Lynk & Co Z20’s domestic deliveries, from August 2025 to July 2026. Source: China EV DataTracker China EV DataTracker shows that Lynk & Co delivered 665 Z20 units domestically in July 2026. The EV hatchback is on the verge of irrelevance in China, having experienced consistent year-on-year sales slumps since the start of 2026. A refresh with an aero package and an 800V powertrain would make the hatchback more competitive in China’s brutal auto market, but its effectiveness remains to be seen. Source: WeChat – Gai Zhuang Che, Weibo – Wa Xian Ren Yao Jia Dian, Niu Wan Ke Ji Most important news in your inbox. Recaps · scheduled All you need, in one email. Instant alerts · real-time Ping me when an article goes live. 0 of 27 topics selected Bundle into one email per day — instead of one email per article No spam · Unsubscribe with one click · Change settings anytime
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