Avatr T09 six-seat plug-in hybrid flagship revealed in Paris, earmarked for Australia in 2028

Paris reveal of a China-first flagship

Avatr's most ambitious model yet has broken cover ahead of the Paris motor show, with the Changan Group formally earmarking the enormous six-seat T09 plug-in hybrid for Australia in 2028, according to Chasing Cars. The publication describes the T09 as a new contender in an emerging Chinese luxury SUV arms race, noting the vehicle was unveiled the evening before the show opened. ¹

The Norwegian outlet Broom, reporting from Paris for TV 2, described the debut as a world premiere for Avatr's new top model held the day before the show's doors opened, framing the T09 as part of a broader European push by one of the world's youngest carmakers. Avatr, backed by Changan and battery giant CATL with Huawei heavily involved on the technology side, has so far sold just under 300,000 cars, mostly in its home market. Broom's report noted its first encounter with the T09 came at an event where travel and accommodation were paid by the manufacturer. ⁵

Although Avatr presents the Paris display as a concept, Chasing Cars notes that Chinese government MIIT approval documents already reveal detailed production specifications, and that a Chinese launch is planned before the end of 2026 – making the Paris car look considerably closer to showroom reality than the concept name suggests. Gasgoo separately reports that Avatr officials said at the Chengdu Auto Show that the T09 will officially debut in the fourth quarter of 2026, with deliveries starting before the year ends. ¹⁴

Size and seating: longer than an X7, longer still than a Palisade

Chinese MIIT filings list the T09 at 5285mm long, 2025mm wide and 1810mm tall on a 3150mm wheelbase, with a six-seat layout, according to Gasgoo. The 9 Series images were released on September 8, with rear badging identifying the T09 nameplate in the ministry's filing. 7News, republishing CarExpert's reporting, adds that the height spans 1810–1820mm depending on the variant. ⁴⁶²

Chasing Cars observes that at 2025mm wide with a 3150mm wheelbase, the T09 is longer than the BMW X7 and 220mm longer than Hyundai's latest Palisade. CarExpert's figures cited by 7News put it 80mm longer, 5mm narrower and up to 135mm lower than the new Y63-series Nissan Patrol, on a 75mm longer wheelbase, and the outlet understands it uses more car-like unibody construction. ¹²

Inside, Chasing Cars reports the T09 uses a 2+2+2 configuration with individual middle-row chairs and a third row for two. The Paris show interior features a three-screen fascia – a 10.25-inch instrument display and twin 17.2-inch touchscreens – plus an illuminated, rising centrepiece called Vortex, though exactly which show-car details reach production remains to be seen. ¹

The styling marks a break from Avatr's lower-set existing models, according to Chasing Cars: a squared-off nose, diamond-effect lighting, a crystal bonnet ornament and a grille composed of 362 miniature Avatr logos, developed as a second, more traditional luxury design language under former BMW designer Nader Faghihzadeh. Gasgoo says the front end draws inspiration from 'Shang Ding Long Zu', with diamond-cut lighting, grey and white-gold two-tone finishes, semi-hidden door handles and a full-width taillight. ¹⁶

Powertrains and battery: two plug-in hybrids on a very large CATL pack

Chinese regulatory filings describe two all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid options, according to Chasing Cars. The entry version combines a 110kW 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine with 180kW and 310kW electric motors, front and rear, for total outputs of 490kW. The flagship upgrades to a 155kW 2.0-litre petrol engine with three motors – 180kW at the front and 225kW driving each rear wheel – with Avatr claiming more than 630kW of combined power. ¹

The figures differ between publications: 7News, citing CarExpert's reading of the MIIT filings, lists a 105kW 1.5-litre turbo engine with the same 180kW/310kW motor pairing, and a 150kW 2.0-litre engine with a 180kW front motor and dual 225kW rear motors. Gasgoo, summarising the same filings, says the base setup delivers over 500kW and the flagship over 1000 metric horsepower with 0–100km/h acceleration in the 3-second bracket. Both outlets agree the two variants pair a turbo petrol engine with a 180kW front motor and dual rear motors. ²⁴

Both versions use the same 71.24kWh CATL ternary lithium battery – larger than the pack in some pure EVs – with 300–330km of electric-only driving according to Chinese WLTC filings, or over 400km on the more generous CLTC cycle, Chasing Cars reports. Gasgoo adds that total range exceeds 1200km and identifies the pack as CATL's Xiaoyao battery. The hybrid system can switch between electric, petrol-assisted and range-extender operation, but fast-charging figures remain unconfirmed. ¹⁴

Kerb weight is listed at between 2880kg and 3035kg depending on the variant, in both Chasing Cars' and CarExpert's accounts of the filings, a mass that reflects the advanced chassis hardware on board. ¹²

Technology and chassis: Huawei integration on board

The T09 is the first flagship SUV co-designed by Avatr and Huawei Qiankun, according to Gasgoo, and will feature Huawei's Qiankun ADS 5 driver-assistance system with a new-generation four-lidar hardware architecture, plus the Qiankun XMC digital chassis and the new Taihang intelligent control system. ⁶⁴

Chassis hardware includes closed dual-chamber air suspension, distributed electric drive, rear-wheel steering and a sideways 'crab' mode, which Gasgoo says achieves a turning radius of roughly four metres. The XMC digital chassis integrates with the Taihang system using proprietary algorithms for vehicle-road perception fusion and AI suspension control, according to Gasgoo. ⁴⁶

The localisation challenge could be substantial in Australia: Chasing Cars notes that Huawei's deep integration with Chinese mapping, software and connected services means Australian infotainment and ADAS functionality may need to be altered or replaced to suit Australian laws. ¹

European prospects and the Norway tax hurdle

Broom's Paris report highlights a hurdle for the T09 in Europe. The outlet explains that the vehicle is fundamentally an EREV – a large battery pack paired with a petrol engine used only to recharge it – and that under Norway's tax system the type is classified as a hybrid, attracting substantial tax that makes it considerably more expensive than pure electric cars. Broom adds that the question is whether Avatr also has a fully electric version on the way, which would make sense for bringing the model to Norway. ⁵

Broom frames the T09 as part of a wider European push by Avatr, which until now has concentrated mostly on its home market, with ambitions to challenge established premium brands including Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo. The outlet notes that while low price has been the key argument for most Chinese brands entering Europe, several are now betting on premium, lavishly equipped vehicles – an approach whose success, Broom writes, remains to be seen for Avatr. ⁵

Australian context: line-up, timing and rivals

The T09 would crown an expanding Australian line-up, according to Chasing Cars: the 07L five-seat electric SUV is due in the first half of 2027, and the sleeker 06T shooting brake has been spotted testing in right-hand drive ahead of a second-half 2027 launch. Avatr belongs to Changan, whose Australian links already include Deepal and the Changan–Mazda joint venture. Chasing Cars reports that Australian pricing, available powertrains and equipment are still unconfirmed and unlikely to become known until well into 2027. ¹

Earlier coverage differed on the T09's own Australian prospects. In September, 7News – republishing CarExpert – reported it was unclear whether the T09 would be produced in right-hand drive, noting Avatr was filling key local positions ahead of its Australian entry. Cars24 likewise reported the T09's Australian arrival as unconfirmed, with the smaller 07 and 11 more likely early arrivals. Chasing Cars' later report of a 2028 Australian earmark is the latest dated position on the model's local availability. ²³¹

If it arrives, the T09 would face a crowded field. Chasing Cars identifies the confirmed Australia-bound Zeekr 9X – another lavish six-seat Chinese plug-in hybrid with up to 70kWh of battery and up to 1030kW in its hottest specification – as the closest local rival, while BYD-owned Denza's B8 offers a six-seat plug-in hybrid from $97,990 before on-road costs with a body-on-frame off-road focus. Hyundai's Palisade hybrid starts from $76,500 in eight-seat form, and BMW's X7 and Mercedes-Benz's GLS sit in Avatr's sights, with the Kia EV9 and Volvo EX90 as pure-electric alternatives. ¹

In China, the T09 will face domestic heavyweights including the Aito M9 and Li Auto L9 – evidence, Chasing Cars notes, of how fiercely contested the six-seat premium SUV market has become. Gasgoo's summary of the MIIT filing batch describes the T09 as targeting both family and business scenarios with a focus on 'technological luxury for six'. ¹⁴