Chinese luxury auto brand Avatr, which is planning an Australian market launch, has previewed a brand new flagship SUV with plug-in hybrid power.
The brand, which falls under the umbrella of Chinese automotive giant (and Deepal owner) Changan, has released a handful of images of the vehicle, which wears the T09 nameplate in newly published Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification filings.
‘9’ has change into a extremely popular number in China to suggest flagship SUVs: see Geely’s Zeekr 9X, GWM’s Wey V9X, BYD’s Denza N9, and SAIC Motor’s IM LS9, not to say the Aito M9 and Li Auto L9.
To that end, Avatr’s latest plug-in hybrid (PHEV) flagship measures over five metres long and offers a six-seat configuration with second-row captains’ chairs.
At 5285mm long, 2025mm wide and 1810-1820mm tall on a 3150mm wheelbase, the T09 is 80mm longer, 5mm narrower and as much as 135mm lower than the brand new Y63-series Nissan Patrol, on a 75mm longer wheelbase.
It’s understood to feature more car-like unibody construction, as with the raft of other rival ‘9-series’ SUVs.
MIIT filings list a alternative of two powertrains. One uses a 105kW turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 180kW front and 310kW rear electric motors, while the opposite contains a 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 180kW front electric motor, and dual 225kW rear electric motors.
Each powertrains are paired with a ternary lithium battery sourced from CATL, which backs the Avatr brand alongside Changan and technology firm Huawei. Battery capability information doesn’t appear within the filing.
Kerb weight for the T09 is listed at between 2880kg and 3035kg, depending on the variant.
The styling is radically different to other Avatr models. While the boxy profile is paying homage to other ‘9-series’ Chinese SUVs, there are boxy fenders and an oblong, metallic grille with a particular patterned insert, somewhat paying homage to a Zeekr 9X; a blacked-out grille can be optional.
Avatr vehicles feature split-level front lighting elements, with a slim strip of lighting sitting above a bigger C-shaped lighting cluster. The brand new flagship SUV follows this basic format, but features much larger and segmented lighting elements.
A full-width light bar is a well-known Avatr design element, however the T09’s unit has an unusual crystal-look effect.
There’s also extensive use of chrome and other metallic brightwork, including along the bottom of the doors and bumpers and on the D-pillar. Avatr has also shown off the vehicle with a somewhat Maybach-like two-tone paint job.
There’s a LiDAR unit visible above the windscreen, with the 9-series SUV expected to make use of Huawei Qiankun’s 896-channel LiDAR unit launched on the updated 07L last month.
While the inside has yet to be revealed, it’s expected to be sumptuous and loaded with gadgets.
Avatr currently offers only electric (EV) and extended-range electric (EREV) vehicles, and commenced Chinese deliveries in 2022.
It has expanded to Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Sri Lanka, and it’s continuing to grow its global presence.
That may include an Australian market launch, with Avatr currently within the strategy of filling key positions locally ahead of its local entry.
Each the mid-size Avatr 07 and the marginally larger, more coupe-like 11 are already produced in right-hand drive for markets resembling Hong Kong and Singapore, with right-hand drive examples of the 06T wagon recently spied testing.
It’s unclear if the T09 may even be produced in right-hand drive to tackle upcoming flagship SUVs from GWM and Zeekr in Australia.
Changan can be bringing its namesake brand here, though Changan-owned Deepal has confirmed there are not any plans for its distribution to be switched from importer Inchcape to its parent company.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
