When Huawei and the artistic director of Dior and Fendi put their minds to an electric car, the result is the Avatr 012. With its 10-minute charge, its wealth of technology and its haute couture finishes, does this model have what it takes to justify its equally exclusive price?
Regular readers of Overexcited You probably already know: Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, is interested in electric cars through several joint ventures. Among them, Avatr, created with CATL, the world leader in batteries.
This brand has just presented a rather astonishing electric car: the 012. Based on the Avatr 12, it offers cutting-edge technologies… and a style designed by Kim Jones, the artistic director of Dior and Fendi.
An exclusive presentation
A tour on the site internet of the brand allows you to find out more. This Avatr 012 therefore takes the base of the 12, but adds several stylistic elements. Externally, we find a new paint and 21-inch rims, while the interactive HALO screen, composed of 10,500 LEDs, is still present at the base of the windshield.
Avatr 012 // Source : Avatr
The interior also receives the Kim Jones touch. The harmony changes to a mix between white and sand, the materials (Nappa leather, suede, etc.) take a leap forward while technological refinements appear. Note for example a 16-inch rear screen, which faces a glass roof studded with LEDs, adopting a “star pattern”.
Customers will also be able to personalize “their” Avatr 012, notably by choosing a logo on the steering wheel and on the door pillars.
Cutting-edge technologies
From a technological point of view, we find the Avatr 12, with a dashboard consisting of a screen across the entire width of the 35.4-inch windshield, accompanied by a second 15.6-inch panel in the center of the dashboard. The whole thing runs on HarmonyOS, Huawei obliges.
Avatr 012 // Source : Avatr
Driving aids are also omnipresent. Thanks to three LiDARs (one in the grille, two others in the front wings), this Avatr 012 has a semi-autonomous driving system 2+, capable of moving around town and on the highway without driver intervention.
The battery, on the other hand, is innovative compared to the 12, since CATL has implemented its latest Kirin 5C. The numbers speak for themselves: the Avatr 012 is capable of going from 30 to 80% battery in just 10 minutes! Zeekr’s latest creations, notably the 007, do better, but the progress is undeniable: the Avatr 12 requires 20 minutes for the exercise.
A price to match
On the rest of the technical specifications, Avatr remains much more discreet, simply announcing a power of 402 kW (547 hp). No mention of the battery capacity or autonomy, for example.
On the other hand, the price is known… and this 012 makes you pay for its exclusivity. While the 12 is available between 265,800 and 400,800 yuan (around 33,400 to 50,400 euros), the 012 is offered for 700,000 yuan, or around 88,000 euros!
Avatr 012 // Source : Avatr
Of course, an equivalent European car would ask for much more, but the gap with the 12 is huge. This edition is limited to 700 copies.
If this Avatr 012 is not planned for France, the brand had announced in 2023 its desire to arrive in Europe – without news since. We had come across an Avatr 12 in the Paris region a few weeks ago, but probably a car imported individually by a French brand for testing.
Did you know? Google News lets you choose your media. Don’t miss out on Frandroid et Numerama.
