The Avatr 012 is Avatr's second limited-edition model, based on the Avatr 12 electric sedan with different features to emphasize its more premium positioning.

Avatr Technology, the electric vehicle (EV) brand backed by Changan Automobile, CATL, and Huawei, has begun pre-sales of its limited-edition model, the Avatr 012, as it continues to strengthen its premium image.

Avatr gave the Avatr 012 its debut at an event yesterday and began accepting pre-orders at a pre-sale price of RMB 700,000 ($98,110).

The car is based on the Avatr 12 mid to large-size pure electric sedan and is limited to 700 units globally, with former tennis singles champion and Asia's first two Grand Slam winner Li Na to be one of the owners.

The Avatr 012 is Avatr's second limited-edition model. The EV maker launched the Avatr 011 in a limited edition of 500 units on August 8, 2022, when it unveiled its first model, the Avatr 11 all-electric SUV (sport utility vehicle).

The Avatr 012 was created by Avatr's Chief Design Officer, Nader Faghihzadeh, in collaboration with Kim Jones, artistic director of Dior and Fendi.

The model measures 5,020 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,469 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,020 mm.

It has the same body structure as the Avatr 12, but highlights its more premium positioning with features including customized paintwork, different interior and wheels.

The model is powered by the DriveONE dual-motor system supplied by Huawei, with a total power of 402 kW and a top speed of 220 kilometers per hour.

The Avatr 012 uses CATL's Qilin Battery, which supports a 5C charging multiplier and can charge up to 80 percent in as little as 10 minutes.

The model is equipped with Huawei's latest Qiankun ADS 3.0 driver assistance system, which enables advanced intelligent driving functions including urban NOA (Navigate on Autopilot).

In addition to the Avatr 012, Avatr also added a new top-priced variant each for the Avatr 11 and Avatr 12 at yesterday's launch event, both starting at RMB 450,000 and will go on sale within the year.

The new variants of the Avatr 11 and Avatr 12 have exclusive designs, including body colors and wheels that differ from the regular variants.

Avatr will launch more than seven products in the next three years including luxury sedans, mid-size five-seater and large six-seater SUVs, sports cars with a top speed of more than 300 kilometers per hour, and MPVs, according to Changan chairman Zhu Huarong.

Avatr was formerly known as Changan Nio, which was founded by Changan and Nio (NYSE: NIO) on July 10, 2018, when each party took a 50 percent stake. Nio has now largely exited from the company.

In late August 2021, Changan, CATL, and Huawei jointly announced the updated Avatr brand, saying at the time that they would build EVs based on a co-created CHN architecture, where C stands for Changan, H for Huawei, and N for CATL.

($1 = RMB 7.1347)

Avatr unveils extended-range system to capitalize on hybrid preference and boost sales