AVATR 12

Model Overview

The AVATR 12 is the second mass-produced model under AVATR Technology, built on the CHN joint-technology platform co-developed by automotive and tech giants Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, and positioned as a flagship mid-to-large intelligent electric executive sedan. Making its global debut in Shenzhen in November 2023, the vehicle represents the brand's second offering following the AVATR 11 SUV. It has since undergone several product refreshes and price adjustments. In May 2025, dual-powertrain options comprising 6 variants were introduced, priced between RM269,900 and RM429,900; in October of the same year, the Quad-LiDAR Edition featuring four standard LiDAR units across the board was rolled out, lowering the promotional entry price to RM259,900. As of May 2026, the latest model on the market is the "New AVATR 12" launched on 8 April 2026, offering 7 variants across both fully electric (BEV) and range-extender (REEV) powertrains, with pricing ranging from RM293,900 to RM433,900. The updated model features Huawei Qiankun and AVATR Strategic Cooperation 2.0 full-stack intelligent architecture, competing head-to-head against the NIO ET7, IM L6, Xiaomi SU7, and STELATO S9. By the end of 2025, cumulative ownership of the AVATR 12 had approached 60,000 units, while the overall AVATR brand surpassed 220,000 users with a global footprint spanning 38 countries and regions.

Design Language

Penned by the AVATR Global Design Centre in Munich, Germany, the exterior of the AVATR 12 embodies the brand’s "Future Aesthetics" design philosophy. The front fascia retains the signature butterfly-wing family design, complemented by E-shaped curved LED headlamp clusters and an active shutter grille behind a closed-off bumper, creating a sleek yet commanding stance. In terms of dimensions, the car measures 5,020 mm long, 1,999 mm wide, and 1,460 mm tall (1,450 mm for AWD variants), riding on a generous 3,020 mm wheelbase that guarantees ample cabin room. The side profile showcases a four-door fastback coupe silhouette highlighted by a segment-exclusive windowless rear deck design, paired with flush pop-out door handles and a streamlined roofline to achieve an ultra-low drag coefficient of 0.27 Cd. At the rear, an active deployable electric spoiler, slim full-width tail lamps, and an illuminated AVATR emblem deliver a harmonious blend of high-tech sophistication and athletic poise. Furthermore, four LiDAR sensors have been integrated into the front wings and rear, accompanied by 6 "smart driving blue indicator lights" around the body to clearly display autonomous driving engagement. The 2026 model introduces a new Dawn Gold Grey exterior hue and Rock Brown interior palette, enhanced by a premium velvet headliner and genuine birch wood trim to elevate cabin luxury.

Powertrain and Performance

The AVATR 12 is offered with both BEV (pure electric) and REEV (range-extender) powertrains, powered by CATL bespoke battery packs and Huawei’s Taihang distributed electric drive system. The BEV version employs the Huawei DriveONE 800V silicon carbide (SiC) electric drive setup; the single-motor RWD variant puts out 237 kW and 396 Nm of torque, while the dual-motor AWD variant delivers a combined output of 402 kW (547 PS) and 687 Nm, dispatching the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.8 seconds. Equipped with a 98 kWh CATL Qilin 6C ultra-fast charging battery, it delivers a CLTC range of 755 km for the RWD and 705 km for the AWD, with a 30%-80% fast-charge completed in a mere 10 minutes. The REEV variant combines a 1.5T four-cylinder range extender with a 231 kW rear electric motor, achieving a CLTC pure electric range of 350-365 km, an overall combined range of up to 1,290 km, and a fuel consumption of approximately 5.8 L/100 km under depleted battery conditions, running on standard RON 92 petrol. The 2026 tri-motor AWD variant slashes the 0-100 km/h time to 2.71 seconds, featuring a steering-wheel-mounted "One-Touch Boost" button to release an extra 30% surge of power. With standard 800V high-voltage fast-charging architecture across the lineup, energy replenishment efficiency ranks among the top echelon of the industry.

Chassis and Handling

The chassis architecture features front double-wishbone independent suspension and a rear multi-link independent setup, utilising lightweight aluminium alloy control arms front and rear to reduce unsprung weight and sharpen handling agility. The 2026 MAX variant comes equipped with Ferrari-grade electromagnetic adaptive dampers, capable of adjusting damping from the softest to firmest setting in just 10 ms at a frequency of 1,000 times per second; the Ultra and higher variants feature air suspension paired with CDC (Continuous Damping Control), improving pitch control and roll suppression by 20% and 9% respectively over the previous iteration. Additionally, the Taihang distributed electric drive system is standard across the range, offering dual-motor RWD and tri-motor AWD options; the tri-motor AWD system can independently regulate torque and differential distribution across the rear wheels, supporting individual wheel torque vectoring and counter-rotation to ensure the vehicle remains entirely stable during a high-speed tyre blowout at up to 220 km/h. The Taihang Smart Control 2.0 system proactively adjusts torque distribution based on real-time road condition previews for superior cornering precision; in March 2026, the system achieved the highest ISO 26262 ASIL-D functional safety certification, making it the industry's first certified tri-motor independent torque vectoring system.

Cabin and Equipment

The interior comes standard with a high-tech dual-screen layout comprising a 35.4-inch 4K panoramic remote horizon display and a 15.6-inch floating central infotainment touchscreen, with the digital side mirror version adding twin 6.7-inch high-definition monitors. The infotainment operates on the deeply integrated HarmonySpace 5 cockpit, powered by the MoLA multi-dimensional AI model, which supports natural continuous voice interaction, fuzzy navigation error correction, and contextual smart suggestions, alongside seamless multi-device connectivity with Huawei smartphones and tablets. The 2026 model adds physical buttons on the steering wheel for voice control and Boost mode, alongside dedicated window toggle switches and mechanical emergency door release levers on the door panels, eliminating the operational inconvenience of previous touch-only controls. For passenger comfort, the front cabin is fitted with dual Zero-Gravity seats (featuring 14-way electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, and 8-point SPA massage functions), while the rear bench offers full-spec luxury seating alongside a 16-inch rotatable rear ceiling entertainment screen. Acoustic performance is delivered via a 25-speaker Meridian 7.1.4 immersive surround sound system boasting a peak output of 2,016 W. Boot capacity stands at 425 L, supplemented by a 65 L front boot (frunk) on BEV models.

Safety and Driver Assistance

In terms of active safety and autonomous driving, the AVATR 12 is comprehensively equipped with Huawei’s full-stack technology suite. The lineup comes standard with 4 LiDAR sensors (comprising a roof-mounted 896-line dual-optical-path image-grade LiDAR and a rear high-precision solid-state LiDAR), supplemented by 5 4D millimetre-wave radars, 11 HD cameras, and 12 ultrasonic sensors for seamless 360-degree environmental perception. The ultra-high resolution of the 896-line LiDAR surpasses conventional point-cloud sensors, accurately detecting obstacles as small as 14 cm in height from a distance of 120 metres. Driving assistance is governed by Huawei Qiankun ADS 4.1 powered by the WEWA world model architecture, which halves end-to-end processing latency and enables full-scenario "parking space to parking space" NCA navigation pilot assistance, including automated ETC toll lane recognition and traversal. Active safety incorporates the CAS 4.0 omni-directional collision avoidance system for comprehensive all-speed, all-target, multi-directional, and all-weather protection. Passive safety is equally robust, featuring standard front dual airbags, front side airbags, front and rear curtain airbags, and a front centre airbag; the high-strength steel and aluminium hybrid body structure meets dual five-star safety crash test standards, while the Qilin battery underbody protective shield on BEV models provides impact resistance ten times higher than national benchmark standards.

Market Performance and Verdict

From its initial debut, the AVATR 12 attracted immense market interest on the back of its winning formula of "Changan Manufacturing + Huawei Smart Driving + CATL Battery". Following the rollout of the Quad-LiDAR Edition in October 2025 with an attractive introductory price starting at RM259,900, brand-wide monthly sales consistently breached the 10,000-unit milestone (hitting 13,506 units in October, maintaining five-figure monthly sales for eight consecutive months). However, looking at the AVATR 12 as an individual model, monthly volume fluctuated between 1,037 and 2,759 units throughout 2025, facing stiff competition without carving out a definitive market lead over rivals like the NIO ET7 and IM L6 in the competitive RM300,000-class executive EV segment. With the arrival of the 2026 New AVATR 12 in April, its repositioned price bracket of RM293,900 to RM433,900 leverages core USPs such as the BEV's 10-minute ultra-fast charging and the REEV's 1,290 km touring range, backed by chassis refinements from Taihang Smart Control 2.0 and adaptive electromagnetic dampers to significantly bolster its overall market appeal. Automotive media and industry reviewers have widely praised its forward-looking ADAS hardware suite and electric powertrain engineering, particularly commending the seamless integration of the 896-line LiDAR, tri-motor AWD platform, and HarmonySpace 5.0 ecosystem. Minor criticisms remain focused on compromised rear headroom due to the raked fastback roofline, less aggressive showroom discounts compared to key segment rivals, and brand equity that continues to develop in the competitive price territory above RM300,000. Nevertheless, as the flagship saloon built upon the CHN platform, the AVATR 12 successfully demonstrates the mass-market viability of this tripartite tech alliance, laying a rock-solid strategic foundation for the AVATR brand's long-term expansion in the premium intelligent electric sedan segment.