The wave of Chinese luxury brands heading to Australia just gained a flagship. Avatr — the premium marque backed by Chinese auto giant Changan — has taken the wraps off its imposing T09 plug-in hybrid SUV at a world debut at the Paris motor show, offering a first look at a full-size, six-seat rival to the biggest European luxury SUVs.
At more than 5.2 metres long and around two metres wide, the T09 is designed to establish a new flagship tier for the brand, and according to Australian industry reporting, it could eventually reach local showrooms around 2028 — joining an Avatr line-up that begins rolling out in Australia from 2027.
Here's everything confirmed about the T09, what its Chinese type-approval documents reveal, and what it means for buyers watching the luxury SUV segment.
What Is Avatr — and Why Does the T09 Matter?
Avatr is the luxury arm of Changan, one of China's largest state-owned automakers, positioned to compete with established premium marques rather than on price. The brand's existing range spans electric SUVs and saloons with range-extender options, and its Australian introduction is already scheduled: as EV Central has reported, the 07L electric SUV will lead the local launch in the first half of 2027, followed by the 06T electric shooting brake in the second half of 2027 — putting Avatr into the emerging electric-wagon market against the Zeekr 7GT.
The T09 is a statement above all of that. Where the 07L and 06T establish the brand, the T09 is meant to define it — a Rolls-Royce-of-Shenzhen play that targets the upper crust of the segment: the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and the new wave of Chinese premium flagships like the Zeekr 9X.
Design: Excess as a Language
The T09's exterior makes no apologies. Its most talked-about feature is an unusually elaborate front grille incorporating 362 Avatr emblems, paired with crystal-inspired headlights and a large clamshell bonnet. The design was led by Nader Faghihzadeh, formerly of BMW, and extends the themes introduced by the Vision Xpectra concept.
Inside, the concept previews an integrated three-screen dashboard and a retractable "Vortex" lighting feature with 118 RGB LEDs — ambient theater aimed squarely at chauffeur-driven executives. The cabin is configured as a luxury-focused six-seater with individual second-row chairs, though final production equipment and trim are yet to be confirmed.
Powertrain: What the Chinese Type-Approval Documents Reveal
Avatr hasn't published a full production spec sheet, but Chinese government approval documents provide a reliable preview of what's coming:
- Battery: a 71.24 kWh pack supplied by CATL
- Powertrain option one: a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with front and rear electric motors
- Powertrain option two: a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with three electric motors — reported with a combined output exceeding 735 kW (986 hp), though official figures are pending
- Electric-only range: more than 400 km on China's optimistic CLTC cycle
That last number deserves a caveat: CLTC figures typically run 20–30% higher than WLTP or Australian-certified results, so a realistic local figure would likely land closer to 280–320 km. Even so, that's a remarkable electric range for a PHEV — far beyond the 50–100 km that defined the category's first generation. If you're new to the terminology, our guide to BEV vs PHEV vs hybrid vehicles explains how these powertrain types differ and why large-battery PHEVs are blurring the line between them.
A PHEV that behaves like an EV
The T09's spec points to a broader industry shift: the "P" in PHEV is becoming optional for daily driving. With a 71.24 kWh battery — larger than many full EVs of a few years ago — most owners could complete weeks of commuting without the petrol engine ever firing. That changes the charging calculus too: big-battery PHEVs need genuine Level 2 charging at home rather than top-up trickle sessions, and they're increasingly treated as electric-first vehicles. For buyers weighing the trade-offs, our coverage of the ID. UNYX 09's launch pricing against the Xiaomi SU7 shows how aggressively the large Chinese electrified sedan segment is now competing.
Production Timeline: China First, Australia Later
The production T09 is expected to launch in China before the end of 2026. Its Australian future is less certain — Avatr hasn't formally detailed overseas availability, but Australian industry reporting points to a possible 2028 arrival.
That sequencing follows the now-standard playbook for Chinese brands entering Australia: establish with EVs (07L, 06T), build brand recognition and a service footprint, then introduce the flagship halo models that anchor the premium positioning.
Where the T09 Will Compete in Australia
If it arrives in 2028, the T09 enters a segment that's filling fast:
|
Rival type |
Models |
|
Chinese luxury flagships |
Zeekr 9X |
|
Established German six/seven-seaters |
BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS |
|
Mainstream large PHEV SUVs |
BYD Sealion 8 and incoming rivals |
The T09's differentiation would rest on three pillars: genuinely long electric range for a PHEV, extreme performance (if the 735 kW figure survives to production), and design theatre its German rivals won't match. Whether Australian luxury buyers — a traditionally conservative cohort — embrace that formula is the open question, but the direction of Chinese premium brands is unmistakable.
For buyers considering any of these large electrified SUVs, one ownership factor deserves early attention: charging infrastructure. A 71 kWh battery charged only from a household socket will take well over a day to refill, so a proper Level 2 setup is effectively mandatory. Our guides to choosing between Level 1, Level 2 and DC fast charging and EV battery degradation over 3, 5 and 10 years cover the two decisions that most affect long-term running costs.
The Bottom Line
The Avatr T09 is the clearest signal yet that Chinese luxury brands aren't stopping at value-for-money EVs — they're building genuine flagships with the design ambition, performance figures and technology depth to challenge BMW and Mercedes on their home turf. Paris was the global stage; China gets the car before the end of 2026; and if the Australian reporting holds, local buyers will get their chance in 2028.
Between now and then, the 07L and 06T will do the groundwork — and the T09 will be waiting as the brand's calling card at the top of the range.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the Avatr T09 launch?
Production is expected to begin in China before the end of 2026, with Australian availability possibly around 2028, though Avatr has not formally confirmed overseas markets.
What are the Avatr T09's key specifications?
Chinese type-approval documents list a 71.24 kWh CATL battery, a 1.5-litre turbo petrol with two electric motors, or a 2.0-litre turbo with three motors reportedly exceeding 735 kW combined, plus more than 400 km of CLTC electric range.
Is the Avatr T09 a PHEV or an EV?
It's a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) — pairing petrol engines with a large 71.24 kWh battery and multiple electric motors, capable of long electric-only driving before the petrol engine engages.
What Avatr models are coming to Australia first?
The 07L electric SUV leads the brand's Australian launch in the first half of 2027, followed by the 06T electric shooting brake in the second half of 2027. The T09 flagship could follow around 2028.