Key highlights:
- Avatr’s T09 flagship SUV gets six seats and two PHEV powertrains
- The SUV measures 5285mm long and rides on a 3150mm wheelbase
- T09’s Australian arrival remains uncertain, but Avatr 07 and 11 could launch
Chinese luxury brand Avatr, a part of the Changan Automobile, has previewed a new flagship SUV with plug-in hybrid power, as it prepares to enter the Australian market.
The new model, arriving there by 2026, wears the T09 nameplate in newly published Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) certification filings, and Avatr has also released several images, but the interior remains under wraps.
“T09” follows other flagship SUVs, as number 9 has become increasingly popular among Chinese brands.
Changan also owns the Deepal brand and CATL, and technology company Huawei also back the Avatr brand.
T09’s Australian arrival remains unconfirmed, but other Avatr models such as the smaller Avatr 07 and the coupe-like Avatr 11 are already built in right-hand drive (RHD) for other global markets and most likely to launch here.
Avatr’s new flagship is a big SUV
The upcoming T09 SUV measures more than five metres long and offers six seats, with second-row captain’s chairs; it measures 80mm longer, 5mm narrower and up to 135mm lower than the new Y63-series Nissan Patrol.
It also rides on a 75mm longer wheelbase than the Patrol.
| Length | 5285mm |
| Width | 2025mm |
| Height | 1810-1820mm |
| Wheelbase | 3150mm |
The T09 is understood to use a more car-like unibody construction, following the approach used by several other rival Chinese ‘9-series’ SUVs.
Two powerful PHEV options
MIIT filings list two different powertrains for the T09, and both combine a turbocharged petrol engine with multiple electric motors.
| Specification | T09 Version 1 | T09 Version 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1.5-litre turbo | 2.0-litre turbo |
| Engine output | 105kW | 150kW |
| Front motor output | 180kW | 180kW |
| Rear motors output | 310kW | 2x225kW |
| Battery | Ternary Lithium CATL | Ternary Lithium CATL |
The first setup uses a 105kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, plus a 180kW front electric motor and a 310kW rear electric motor.
The second uses a 150kW 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, a 180kW front electric motor and two 225kW rear electric motors.
Both powertrains use ternary lithium batteries supplied by CATL, and the capacity remains unconfirmed.
Also read: Skoda’s new flagship SUV just drove 936km without stopping to charge
Exterior: Avatr gives the T09 a different look
The T09 looks radically different from Avatr’s existing models.
Its boxy shape follows the broader design direction of other Chinese ‘9-series’ SUVs, but Avatr adds several distinctive details, such as:
- Boxy fenders
- A rectangular metallic grille
- A distinctive patterned grille insert
- An optional blacked-out grille
- Extensive chrome and metallic brightwork
- A full-width rear light bar
- Two-tone paint options
The metallic grille has some visual similarities to the Zeekr 9X.
Avatr also runs chrome and other brightwork along the lower doors, bumpers and D-pillar.
The company has shown the T09 with a two-tone paint finish that gives it a distinctly Maybach-like appearance.
Avatr uses split-level front lighting across its vehicle range, and the basic arrangement places a slim lighting strip above a larger C-shaped lighting cluster.
The T09 keeps that layout but uses much larger, segmented lighting elements, and a full-width light bar also continues Avatr’s familiar design language, although the T09 gives the unit an unusual crystal-look effect.
Images show a LiDAR unit mounted above the windscreen, and the T09 is expected to use Huawei Qiankun’s 896-channel LiDAR unit, which launched on the updated 07L last month.
Avatr has not yet revealed its luxurious interior.
Avatr is expanding beyond China
Avatr currently sells only electric vehicles (EVs) and extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), and the brand began Chinese deliveries in 2022.
Since then, it has expanded into Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore and Sri Lanka, while continuing to build its international presence.
Australia will become another target market as the brand is currently filing key local positions ahead of its Australian launch.
Avatr already produces right-hand-drive versions of some models for markets such as Hong Kong and Singapore, including the mid-size Avatr 07 and the slightly larger, more coupe-like Avatr 11.
Right-hand-drive examples of the 06T wagon have also recently been spotted undergoing testing.
However, Avatr has not confirmed whether it will build the T09 in right-hand drive, and that decision will determine whether the flagship SUV can directly challenge upcoming flagship SUVs from GWM and Zeekr in Australia.
Changan is coming to Australia
Avatr’s Australian expansion will take place alongside a broader Changan push, as the parent company will bring its namesake brand to Australia.
However, Changan-owned Deepal has confirmed that it has no plans to switch its Australian distribution from importer Inchcape to its parent company.
For now, Avatr continues preparing its local operation while the T09 remains unconfirmed for Australian production in right-hand drive.
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