In this era, there is no shortage of good technology, but there is a lack of great products.
In a well-developed automotive supply chain market, technology is readily available, just like ingredients in a supermarket, ready to be picked up at any time.
If you need computing power, go for the 8295; if you need batteries, turn to CATL; for intelligent cabin features and comfortable seating, suppliers like Yanfeng and Hella have it all.
However, how to mix these "ingredients" into a remarkable "dish" really tests the capabilities of car manufacturers.
On this front, Avita, backed by automotive giants Changan, CATL, and Huawei, is facing a significant challenge.
Following the Avita 11 and 12 models, the Avita 07, targeting the mainstream consumer market at around 250,000 yuan, has arrived. With strong competitors like the Zhijie R7, Jikrypton 7X, and LeDao L60 in the mid-sized SUV arena, what unique features does the Avita 07 have? We recently had the opportunity to experience it in the rainy city of Zhoushan.
The Avita 07 comes in two versions: pure electric and extended range. We drove the pure electric version for this test.
In terms of design, the futuristic and dynamic front face is highly recognizable. The pure electric version features an active air intake grille that closes during high-speed driving to reduce airflow into the front compartment, effectively lowering aerodynamic drag to 0.020 Cd, which can extend the range by about 12 km. It can also switch to open mode for efficient thermal management of the three electric systems.
With a streamlined body and 21-inch large wheels, the vehicle's center of gravity is lowered, creating a visually poised and ready stance. The elongated taillight cluster and three-dimensional lines at the rear reflect Avita's distinctive design style, which is quite unique.
The vehicle measures 4825mm in length, 1980mm in width, and 1620mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2940mm, making it wider than the Lincoln Navigator.
The new model features a four-screen layout, including a 15.4-inch floating central touchscreen, a 35.4-inch integrated "fish-eye" screen, and two displays for the electronic side mirrors, creating a sci-fi atmosphere.
The dual-tone premium interior simulates the design concept of an airline first-class cabin. The interior is heavily adorned with soft materials, covering an area of over 10 square meters.
In addition to both the driver and front passenger seats featuring "zero-gravity seating," the advantage of CATL's battery layout allows the thickness of the Avita 07's battery pack to be reduced, creating space for an electric sunshade in the head area.
During the drive, the most impressive feature was Huawei's QianKun Intelligent Driving ADS 3.0. The navigation assistance can be activated with a simple shift of the gear lever, even on urban roads. Unlike most navigation assistance systems we've experienced, this system has a more precise understanding of road conditions thanks to the integration of lidar, millimeter-wave radar, ultrasonic radar, and cameras, and its end-to-end model allows for bolder execution.
For instance, when encountering a slow vehicle on the road, it decisively switches lanes to overtake, displaying steering force, angle, acceleration, and braking techniques reminiscent of an experienced driver.
It even permits minor speeding within a reasonable range to achieve greater traffic efficiency, similar to the habits of skilled human drivers.
According to official sources, the end-to-end architecture reduces the braking rate by 15%, enhances smoothness by 50%, and increases lane-change success rates by 30%.
Notably, when parked beside the curb, this system can also engage the NCA navigation assistance in the D or Autohold mode, allowing the vehicle to park itself automatically once it reaches the destination.
Upon entering a parking lot, the Avita 07 can initiate a valet parking mode with a single button press; the vehicle will navigate the lot to find a suitable parking spot and park itself, eliminating the hassle of finding a spot manually.
When it's time to use the car again, you can summon it via your smartphone with a single tap, so you don’t have to walk to the parking spot.
However, for this feature to work, the parking facility needs to be mapped once, allowing the system to perform the aforementioned actions when returning to the same lot.
The Avita 07 features a front double-wishbone and rear multi-link independent suspension, both made from a high-strength yet lightweight silicon-magnesium aluminum alloy, significantly reducing unsprung mass for more precise steering and dynamic stability. During actual driving, this vehicle requires minimal steering corrections in corners, as its turning input closely matches the anticipated angle before entry.
On this hardware foundation, the Avita 07 has integrated intelligent air springs and CDC dynamic damping shock absorbers, allowing for 100 active adjustments per second. This enables the vehicle to perform smoothly on flat roads while keeping it compact and neat on bumpy and inclined surfaces.
Due to the removal of traditional side mirrors in favor of electronic side mirrors, adjusting to the new viewing angles when changing lanes requires some adaptation time. However, during the rainy weather in Ningbo, traditional side mirrors can become blurred due to raindrops on the window, while the electronic displays are inside the cabin, unaffected by the weather and providing a wider, more comprehensive view.
Of course, this car is not without its drawbacks. For example, while the central armrest area occupies considerable space and width, the only accessible storage option apart from the wireless charging panel is limited. After placing two phones on the panel and a water bottle and walkie-talkie in the cup holder, there was no place to put a highway pass. Although there is storage in the glove compartment and under the armrest, these are not easily reachable.
Additionally, a mid-size SUV doesn't need to be nearly two meters wide. Vehicles like the Prado, Land Cruiser, and G-Class have widths of under 1.9 meters. The design sacrifices maneuverability in more complex scenarios for the sake of a futuristic aesthetic.
Furthermore, energy consumption is not its strong suit; over a driving distance of 200 kilometers in one day, its energy consumption exceeded 19 kWh per 100 kilometers.
Overall, the Avita 07 balances intelligence and performance as an electric vehicle, but its efficiency is lacking. It has strong design and tuning but is excessive in certain dimensions. It has the potential to compete in the 250,000 yuan segment but claiming it as a "ceiling" would be an exaggeration.
