Australia-bound Chinese luxury brand previews fanciest SUV yet

Chinese luxury auto brand Avatr, which is planning an Australian market launch, has previewed a 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 become a very popular number in China to signify flagship SUVs: see Geely’s Zeekr 9X, GWM’s Wey V9X, BYD’s Denza N9, and SAIC Motor’s IM LS9, not to mention the Aito M9 and Li Auto L9.

To that end, Avatr’s new 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 up to 135mm lower than the 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 choice 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 other features a 150kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, a 180kW front electric motor, and dual 225kW rear electric motors.

Both powertrains are paired with a ternary lithium battery sourced from CATL, which backs the Avatr brand alongside Changan and technology firm Huawei. Battery capacity information doesn’t appear in 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 reminiscent of other ‘9-series’ Chinese SUVs, there are boxy fenders and a rectangular, metallic grille with a distinctive patterned insert, somewhat reminiscent of a Zeekr 9X; a blacked-out grille will be optional.

Avatr vehicles feature split-level front lighting elements, with a slim strip of lighting sitting above a larger C-shaped lighting cluster. The new flagship SUV follows this basic format, but features much larger and segmented lighting elements.

A full-width light bar is a familiar Avatr design element, but the T09’s unit has an unusual crystal-look effect.

There’s also extensive use of chrome and other metallic brightwork, including along the base of the doors and bumpers and on the D-pillar. Avatr has also shown off the vehicle with a rather Maybach-like two-tone paint job.

There’s a LiDAR unit visible above the windscreen, with the 9-series SUV expected to use Huawei Qiankun’s 896-channel LiDAR unit launched on the updated 07L last month.

While the interior 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 will include an Australian market launch, with Avatr currently in the process of filling key positions locally ahead of its local entry.

Both the mid-size Avatr 07 and the slightly larger, more coupe-like 11 are already produced in right-hand drive for markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, with right-hand drive examples of the 06T wagon recently spied testing.

It's unclear if the T09 will also be produced in right-hand drive to take on upcoming flagship SUVs from GWM and Zeekr in Australia.

Changan is also bringing its namesake brand here, though Changan-owned Deepal has confirmed there are no plans for its distribution to be switched from importer Inchcape to its parent company.

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