Australia’s seemingly endless influx of new Chinese car brands is showing no signs of slowing down as luxury manufacturer Avatr prepares to enter the local market next year, with its enormous T09 flagship SUV reportedly due to arrive in 2028. Revealed ahead of the 2026 Paris Motor Show, the T09 is a six-seat luxury SUV that will sit at the top of Avatr’s growing model range, competing with vehicles such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Avatr name, it’s a premium automotive brand backed by Chinese carmaker Changan, battery giant CATL and technology company Huawei. Established in 2018, the company is launching into the European market at the Paris show, but already has a presence in places like Thailand and, of course, its home market of China.

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The T09 is expected to become the brand’s largest and most expensive model, with its huge dimensions placing it firmly in the full-size SUV category. Measuring 5285mm long, 2025mm wide and riding on a 3150mm wheelbase, the T09 is larger than a BMW X7 and considerably bigger than most large SUVs currently available in Australia.

Its six-seat interior features a 2+2+2 configuration, with second-row captain’s chairs designed to provide a more luxurious experience for rear passengers. The concept displayed in Paris also includes two 17.2-inch touchscreens and a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster.

Underneath, Chinese regulatory documents reveal two plug-in hybrid powertrains, including a flagship version combining a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with three electric motors. Avatr claims the system can produce more than 630kW, making it one of the most powerful luxury SUVs in its class.

A large-for-a-PHEV 71.24kWh battery is also fitted for up to 330km of electric-only driving range on China’s lenient WLTC testing cycle. That is considerably more than most plug-in hybrids currently available in Australia, although the figure is yet to be confirmed under more stringent testing standards. Other tech features include air suspension, rear-wheel steering and driver assistance systems developed with Huawei.

The T09’s potential arrival would form part of Avatr’s ambitious expansion down under, with the Chinese manufacturer reportedly planning to offer four or five models locally by the end of 2028. The brand’s first Australian model is expected to be the 07L electric medium SUV, with local deliveries anticipated during the first half of 2027. The 06T electric wagon is also reportedly scheduled to arrive in the second half of next year.