Avatr, Chinese carmaker Changan’s premium sub-brand, has just made landfall in Thailand with the launch of the Avatr 11. Started as a joint venture with battery manufacturer CATL, Avatr aims to compete against established premium EV brands like Tesla, Nio, and Zeekr.
The Avatr 11 is available in Thailand with two variants: Standard Range and Long Range. Pricing for the Avatr 11 in Thailand starts from 2,099,000 baht (approx. RM268k) to 2,299,000 baht (approx. RM291k), both of which a significant premium over the Tesla Model Y in the Kingdom.
Both variants come with a single electric motor that drives the rear wheels only. Despite featuring the same rear motor with 313 hp (metric) and 370 Nm of torque, both variants exhibit slightly different performance figures. The Standard Range variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, while the Long Range variant achieves this in 6.6 seconds. Both models have a top speed of 200 km/h.
The difference is primarily down to their battery’s sustained output capabilities. The Standard Range packs a 90.38 kWh battery for a claimed range of 575 km, while the larger 116.79 kWh pack for the Long Range variant raises its range to 680 km. These figures are based on the NEDC cycle, which is known to be more lenient than real-world driving conditions. Therefore, expect the actual range to be lower in everyday use.
The Avatr 11 comes with a 750 V architecture that allows for DC fast charging of up to 240 kW, enabling a rapid recharge from 30% to 80% battery capacity in just 15 minutes for the Standard Range variant, and 25 minutes for the Long Range variant. The AC charging is limited to 11 kW, but it still surpasses the capabilities of many other Chinese EVs.
Exterior-wise, the Avatr 11 distinguishes itself with its distinctive design, deviating from the typical SUV silhouette. The car’s sporty profile is characterized by a low-slung roof, a unique rear window design, and a separate rear hatch. It also features striking design elements such as C-shaped headlights, an upward-sloping window line, full-width taillights, and an active rear spoiler. The Standard Range variant features 21-inch two-tone alloy wheels, while the Long Range variant comes with 22-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels.
Interior-wise, the Avatr 11 features a modern and sophisticated design, characterized by a flowing dashboard and four “bucket” seats that also comes with a lie-flat function and ottoman for the front two. The seats are upholstered in premium Nappa leather, and paired to a panoramic sunroof to emphasise its premium aspirations.
The Avatr 11 boasts a technologically advanced interior featuring three displays: a 10.25-inch instrument cluster, a 15.6-inch central touchscreen, and an additional 10.25-inch touchscreen for the front passenger. While the Chinese market version utilizes Huawei’s Harmony OS, the operating system for Thai models remains to be confirmed.
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It also features voice control technology, activated by the illuminated “vortex” located behind the central screen. This system allows passengers in all four seats to interact with the vehicle using both English and Thai language commands. A premium 25-speaker Meridian sound system is also included as standard equipment.
Safety-wise, The Avatr 11 comes with a comprehensive suite of driver assistance features. These include autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, lane change assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear collision warning. While the Thai-spec model lacks the lidar sensors found in the Chinese version, it still offers advanced autonomous driving capabilities.
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