Avatr UK launch: what Changan has said about its premium EV brand
Changan says Avatr, its premium brand developed with Huawei and CATL, will come to Britain as a standalone marque. With the 07L SUV now on sale in China, here is what to expect and why the end-of-2026 timing looks shaky.
Quick answers
- Changan UK's managing director said Avatr will come toward the end of 2026 as a standalone brand, but no UK models or prices have been published.
- Changan UK has more than 60 dealers less than a year after launching in September 2025, giving Avatr a ready retail base.
- The Avatr 07L launched in China on 8 August 2026 from 229,900 yuan, with an 89.33kWh CATL battery and up to 725km of CLTC range.
- Changan's current UK range starts at £39,990 for the Deepal S07 and £37,990 for the Deepal S05, which manages 303 miles WLTP.
- A December 2025 report said Avatr and Nevo would reach Europe within two years, and a right-hand-drive Avatr 06T has been seen testing in the UK, so the UK date could slip into 2027.
Changan says Avatr, its premium electric brand, will come to the UK in its own right toward the end of 2026, but it has not named a UK model, price or date. The brand has strong backing, with CATL batteries and Huawei driver assistance, and Changan has built more than 60 UK dealers in under a year. For UK drivers it would add a premium Chinese option above the Deepal range.
What is Avatr?
Avatr is Changan’s high-end electric brand. Changan holds 40.99 percent, CATL 14.1 percent, and Huawei is a strategic partner providing intelligent driving and cockpit technology (Broker News). Changan has said Avatr will stand alone rather than sit under Deepal, with its own leadership and showrooms.
How firm is the end-of-2026 date?
The UK statement came from Nic Thomas, Changan UK’s managing director: Avatr “will come in its own right toward the end of next year and stand alone” (Broker News). We found no reconfirmation of that timing, and no UK model announcement, with under three months of the year left.
A later report is looser. In December 2025 Changan’s global design chief told Reuters that Avatr and Nevo would reach Europe within two years, and electrive summarised it as by 2027 (electrive). A report in August 2026 said a right-hand-drive Avatr 06T had been spotted testing in the UK (ChinaEVHome), which shows UK development but not a date. We treat late 2026 as the best case and 2027 as the safer guide.
Which Avatr models could come?
Nothing is confirmed for the UK. Electrive said the remaining European models were likely to include the Nevo E07 and the premium Avatr 11 and Avatr 12. The newest car is the 07L SUV, launched in China on 8 August 2026.
| Avatr 07L (China) | Detail |
|---|---|
| Launch | 8 August 2026, Hangzhou |
| Guide price | 229,900 to 279,900 yuan |
| Battery | 89.33kWh CATL Shenxing |
| Max+ range | 725km CLTC |
| Ultra (three motors) | 712kW, 650km CLTC |
| Driver assistance | Huawei Qiankun ADS 5 |
Source: Gasgoo and CnEVPost. CLTC figures are more generous than UK WLTP ranges, so expect a lower UK number.
Where would Avatr sit against the Deepal range?
Changan entered the UK in September 2025 with the Deepal S07, priced from £39,990 with an 80kWh battery and a claimed range of up to 295 miles (AM Online). The Deepal S05 followed from £37,990, with a 68.8kWh battery and up to 303 miles WLTP in rear-wheel-drive form (Automotive World).
| Model | UK price from | Battery | WLTP range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deepal S07 | £39,990 | 80kWh | Up to 295 miles |
| Deepal S05 RWD | £37,990 | 68.8kWh | Up to 303 miles |
| Avatr | Not announced | Not announced | Not announced |
Avatr would sit above these cars, in the premium territory Changan has said it wants, but we will not guess a price.
Does Changan have the dealers?
Yes. Changan UK said it had partnered with more than 60 dealers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland less than a year after entering the market (Changan Europe). Whether Avatr gets its own premium sites is unannounced. Our guide to Chinese EV brands in the UK and the Chinese market share report show how crowded the field has become.
What this means for you
If you want a premium electric SUV in the next few months, do not wait for Avatr: it has no UK price, specification or order book. Check the most anticipated electric cars for launches with dates, and read about UK tariffs on Chinese electric cars because they can affect final prices.
If a Deepal fits your budget today, the S07 and S05 are on sale now. If Avatr is your target, wait for a UK specification and WLTP range, and for confirmation of Electric Car Grant eligibility, before committing.
How we test and where our numbers come from
Range figures are official WLTP combined values taken from manufacturer UK specification pages, with real-world estimates drawn from independent comparative testing. Prices are UK list prices at the time of the latest update. Tax, grant and charging-scheme figures come from GOV.UK and HMRC publications. We re-check every guide when pricing, specification or policy changes. Last checked 6 October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is Avatr launching in the UK?
Nic Thomas, Changan UK's managing director, said Avatr would come in its own right toward the end of 2026. No date has been confirmed since, and a December 2025 report put Avatr's European arrival at within two years. No UK price or model has been announced.
What is Avatr?
Avatr is Changan's premium electric brand. Changan holds a 40.99 percent stake, CATL 14.1 percent, and Huawei is a strategic partner supplying driver assistance and cockpit technology.
Which Avatr models are likely to come to the UK?
Nothing is confirmed. Reports on Changan's European plans name the Avatr 11 and Avatr 12 as likely models; the 07L SUV has launched in China but has no UK announcement.
Will Avatr be part of Deepal in the UK?
No. Changan has said Avatr will launch as a separate brand, and reports say it will have its own leadership and will not share showrooms with Deepal.
Sources and further reading
- brokernews.co.ukBroker NewsPrimary source referenced in this article.
- cnevpost.comAvatr launches 07L SUV, taking on Xiaomi YU7 with Huawei ADS 5 and 725 km rangeThe 07L's China launch, Huawei ADS 5 and 725km range.
- autonews.gasgoo.comAVATR 07L hits market with Huawei Qiankun ADS 5, priced from 229,900 yuanChinese pricing, battery and performance figures.
- electrive.comChangan to bring Avatr and Nevo to Europe by 2027Europe timing and likely models.
- chinaevhome.comAvatr 06T RHD spotted testing in the UKRight-hand-drive Avatr testing in the UK, reported August 2026.
- newsroom.changaneurope.comChangan UK surpasses 60-dealer milestoneChangan's UK dealer network.
- automotiveworld.comChangan UK launches Deepal S05 electric compact SUVDeepal S05 UK prices and range.
- am-online.comChangan UK prices Deepal S07 under 40kDeepal S07 UK price.
EV Compared
The EV Compared editorial team tracks the UK electric vehicle market full time: new model launches, list prices, WLTP and real-world range, public charging tariffs and the tax rules that decide what an EV actually costs to run. Every guide is checked against manufacturer specifications and official GOV.UK figures, and updated whenever the numbers move.
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