It’s not easy standing out from the madding crowd of new China EVs, but the AVATR 11 manages to bend your eyes to its will
You can’t quite explain why, but you will look at the Avatr 11 (mind you, they tell us it is “one-one”, not “eleven”), and we don’t think it is solely due to its matte grey colour either.
It is the little nuances in its futuristic and evocative design that prove captivating and set it apart from many of its peers. The chiselled 11 boasts a sports car’s striking proportions and a 0.61 “golden ratio” axle length, although it wears the shape of a nicely-toned SUV.
All in, you’re not likely to mistake it for one of the many homogeneous electric crossovers that trawl the Singapore streets. Aside from the distinctive front and rear light signatures, this writer particularly likes the elegantly curved rear windscreen, a dynamic design feature that makes for a cool talking point.
With its muscular stance, the 11 stands loud and proud in testament to its sporty credentials. Our test car is the Standard Range variant, which uses a 90kWh battery for a 475km range on a full charge (compared to the Long Range model’s 116kWh and 600km range). Both variants are rear-wheel-driven and produce an identical 230kW (312hp) and 350Nm, with the Standard Range dispatching the 0–100km/h in 6.6secs, and the Long Range, 6.9secs.
On the move, we noticed plenty of admiring eyes cast our way, from both bystanders and other motorists alike. This could be due to its menacing mien, which is dominated by the glint of the ‘F’ shaped LED headlights and its dynamic silhouette that incorporates vertical “fluid-style” rear quarter windows into its aesthetics.
The proceedings turn even sportier when the speed-sensitive active rear “sail-style” spoiler deploys, as it endows the 11 with performance-machine credentials.
The 11 is quite a big boi, measuring 4,880mm x 1,970mm x 1,601mm (LxBxH), with a 2,975mm wheelbase, which translates to decent cabin accommodation for a full complement of occupants.
There’s a lot to take in on the inside, thanks to the intricate “Vortex” dashboard architecture, which features 256 Colours Ambient Lighting for greater personalisation potential. However, the application is never garish or OTT; rather, it is subtle and tastefully executed.
There are tasteful touches like the brushed gold accents throughout the cabin, which are also applied to the spokes on the steering wheel. This classy combination works well with the green and Nappa Red interior — a lovely, sophisticated, deep, dark red hue that never dominates the proceedings.
In keeping with prevailing trends for such cars, the cabin is dominated by an oversized 15.6-inch touchscreen. Still, unlike many of its contemporaries, the 11 never feels like an appliance built around a phablet.
The 11 doesn’t just have one screen, especially since it’s always a case of one-upmanship in the hotly contested EV segment. The driver reads the car’s real-time vitals off a 10.25-inch full LCD cluster, while the front occupant enjoys a similar 10.25-inch Passenger Screen to toggle through the in-car entertainment features.
Thanks to the natural lighting that enters through the Anti-UV Panoramic Sunroof, there’s an airy vibe to the cabin, which lets you savour the cabin’s design details.
With its taut quality, the 11 is properly premium-plus posh on the inside, with plushly plump “zero gravity” front seats that help take some of the soreness away from the chore of commuting.
With an arsenal of 30 active and passive noise-reduction technologies, the 11 is serenely hushed on the move as well, so the cabin becomes a sanctuary that cocoons you from the rat race.
In addition to the battery of electronic active / passive drive assistant systems, there’s ample tech to help manoeuvre such a big car around, including a 3D Environment Simulation Display and a 360º Around View Monitor with Transparent Chassis.
Sounds complex, but in reality, it is simple and seamless in operation, providing the driver with an unobstructed view of the usual nook-and-cranny blind spots, helping reduce, if not eliminate, incidents. For instance, motorbikes, small children, pets or objects lying in the 11’s path can be spotted and avoided (or moved to safety).
As far as regular EV runabouts go — be it bargain-basement, cheap and cheerful or premium-posh (like the 11) — this writer feels it would be missing the point to pick the fastest variants, especially if the intention is to commute around Singapore comfortably.
It is not always about being the fastest, but being fast enough, especially since the higher-powered EVs attract a punitive road tax. Besides, with that immediate hit of torque familiar to all EV drivers, the Avatr 11 is likely to scamper ahead of most other contenders the moment the traffic light turns green, even if it isn’t the absolute fastest.
Sure, the AWD EV models may offer all-weather grip, but we’ve always enjoyed driving RWD models like the 11 because they feel spritely and agile, no mean feat given the 2.2-tonne kerbweight.
We like how the powertrain has been calibrated on the 11, because it is less of an on/off switch and more progressive in its delivery, both in braking regeneration and in acceleration. When start-stop feels too much like an on-off switch, it can become uncomfortable for everyone else in the car but the driver, especially if the driver hasn’t cultivated the finesse needed for smooth, swift progress.
After all, there’s little point in featuring-filling it with all manner of comfort-cosseting passenger prince / princess goodness, only to have the powertrain let the game down.
We reckon the Avatr 11 transcends basic all-roundedness and is nicely elevated to deliver a confident, premium-plus motoring package that is both progressive and punchy. Now, how’s that for a mind-bending experience?
AVATR 11 Standard-Range 90kWh
Battery: Ternary Lithium (NMC), 90kWh (Nett), 800V
Power: 308hp
Maximum torque: 350Nm
0–100km/h: 6.6secs
Top speed: 200km/h
WLTP range (combined): 475km
Kerbweight: 2.2-tonnes
