Developed by Changan in partnership with CATL and Huawei, Avatr is about to launch its third model. The Avatr 07 SUV will compete with the top players in the Chinese market and is expected to arrive in Europe in two years.
After the uniquely designed rear end of the SUV 11, Avatr made a strong impression with the unveiling of its large sedan 12 at the Munich motor show. A car with elegant style and particularly successful proportions. However, the company struggles to make an impact in its domestic market, proving once again that state-owned giants, even with a new label, may not have the agility of new small startups.
With a length of 4825 mm and a wheelbase of 2940 mm, the 07 will compete with the major electric SUVs in the Chinese market, in a bid to rejuvenate Avatr. Maybe even save it? Its competitors include Tesla Model Y, IM LS6, Xpeng G6, BYD Song L, and Sea Lion 07, Aito M5, not to mention the new competing models from Zeekr or Xiaomi.
Its design takes inspiration from the sedan 12. The same lighting signatures, the luminous logo that seems engraved in the bodywork, and the Lidar on the roof can be found. The rear end, as with the other two models in the range, remains the most controversial part. The interior is expected to replicate the architecture of the 12, with a large panoramic screen at the foot of the extended windshield, complemented by the screens of the side cameras, and a large central touchscreen to control the functions.
Range Extender
The electric version will be a rear-wheel-drive with 252 kW / 343 hp powered by an LFP battery supplied by CATL (capacity not yet specified). A four-wheel-drive version will add a 188 kW / 256 hp motor to the front. But what’s new for the 07 is its range extender engine. The battery will be smaller (39 kWh) but supplemented by a 1.5 Turbo 4-cylinder engine with 115 kW / 156 hp under the hood. The power of the electric motors will be slightly lower here: 231 kW / 314 hp in rear-wheel drive, 362 kW / 492 hp in four-wheel drive.
The base price of the Avatr 07 is expected to be around 250,000 RMB (30,000 euros). The model will be followed next year by a new sedan smaller than the 12. Present at the Munich motor show last year, Avatr mentioned an arrival in Europe in 2026, with local production. These two new models will clearly be its flagship in our markets.