Lynk & Co 03 sedan breaks cover

Lynk & Co has unveiled its third model -- a small premium sedan appropriately named the 03.

Set to make its official debut this September at China's Chengdu motor show, the 03 is expected to go on sale in China later this year before the brand begins launching in other global markets including Europe in 2019.

The Lynk & Co 03 will go head-to-head with small premium sedans like the Audi A3 and the recently-revealed Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan.

The 03 has been co-developed alongside the Volvo's V40 and XC40, thanks to Lynk & Co's association with the Swedish car-maker under its Geely parent company ownership.

This explains why the 03 is based on the Compact Modular Architecture (CMA) that was developed by Volvo.

Under the bonnet, the Lynk & Co 03 is set to come with a range of electrified powertrains that will pair with Volvo’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 115kW.

According to sources, the small petrol engine will also be joined by a plug-in hybrid version that's likely to have a pure-electric range of more than 50km.

It's even thought a high-performance version could one day be produced, following renderings which were teased by the car-maker previewing an aggressive body kit for the 03.

If so, that car could go up against the Audi S3 and BMW M2 and come with a larger turbocharged and supercharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder which, combined with a powerful electric motor, could make more than 300kW.

Already caught testing in the US, the Lynk & Co 03 is set to come with an even more advanced large, central touch-screen infotainment system.

A car-share feature will harness the power of the manufacturer’s new app that allows a smartphone to be used as a key. A subscription service will also be offered to users.

The small sedan will also be permanently connected online, providing a WiFi hotspot for owners when away from home.

When manufacturing begins this year, the 03 will initially be made at a production facility in China. But for cars destined for global markets, including potentially Australia, Lynk & Co will assemble its range of vehicles at Volvo's Ghent plant in Belgium, where the 02 is already being built.

Lynk & Co models are confirmed for right-hand drive development, but the company is yet to announce a launch Down Under. If the brand does come here, it could win plenty of loyalty with pioneering lifetime warranties.