China’s Answer to the Fast Luxury Wagon
Wagons have always had a small but dedicated fan base, even as the segment is fading in most markets. The BMW M5 Touring is the latest proof – an enthusiast’s long-roof with a plug-in hybrid system and 717 hp, priced firmly in luxury territory. It shows there’s still a real appetite for fast wagons, even if you have to pay for the privilege.
China, though, is taking the fast wagon idea in a different direction. The Avatr 06T is a luxury sports wagon from a joint venture between Chinese automaker Changan, smartphone maker Huawei, and CATL, a global battery company. It delivers up to 955 hp and is offered as a pure EV or with an extended-range setup.
Avatr
Falcon-Inspired Styling and a Very Digital Cabin
Avatr claims the 06T’s design is inspired by a peregrine falcon in a dive. Ignore the buzzwords – the shape actually works. It sits low and wide, looking convincingly aggressive for a wagon.
Up front, you get Avatr’s dual-layer LED lights, with the main beams tucked into the bumper. There’s a trapezoidal cooling vent and active grille, while the sides feature flush door handles and optional electronic mirrors for better airflow. Out back, a roof spoiler, full-width taillights, rear wiper, and roof rails keep things practical – at least on paper.
Dimensionally, it measures 194 inches long, 77 inches wide, and 57 inches tall, riding on a 116-inch wheelbase.
Inside, it’s all about screens: a 35.4-inch 4K panoramic display, a 15.6-inch center screen, and two 6.7-inch screens for the optional camera mirrors. The system runs on Huawei’s HarmonySpace 5, with AI for voice commands and cabin controls. You get three interior themes, including Twilight Purple and Dai Red – so subtlety is not the goal here.
Avatr
Up to 955 HP, and Still Not Coming to America
Performance is where things get interesting. The base pure electric versions use dual motors at the rear, making either 603 or 673 hp, with LFP batteries good for a claimed 405 or 460 miles (CLTC).
The flagship tri-motor version adds one up front and two at the rear for a total of 955 hp. Avatr claims 0-62 mph in 2.78 seconds, which is supercar-quick for something shaped like a grand tourer with room for luggage.
There’s also a dual-motor extended-range version with a 1.5-liter turbo engine as a generator. It manages 205 miles on electric power alone, and a claimed 777 miles total.
Pricing starts at 219,900 yuan (about $31,900) and tops out at 279,900 yuan ($40,600), which seems almost too good to be true given the specs. The catch: it’s not coming to the US, so American wagon fans will have to keep daydreaming over M5 Touring configurators.
Avatr
