Changan Automobile Launches its Flagship Premium EV Brand AVATR in Qatar, Deepening Its Commitment to the Region

With the launch today of its flagship premium intelligent electric vehicle (EV) brand AVATR and the AVATR 11 and AVATR 12 in Qatar, Changan Automobile is deepening its commitment to provide customers across the Middle East with environmentally-friendly, high-performance e-mobility solutions tailored to the lifestyles of local consumers. Qatar is the second strategic market entry for AVATR in the Middle East. This is also the first overseas launch of AVATR 12 and a significant step in deepening the brand’s Middle East layout.

The brand name AVATR is derived from "avatar," which means to create another version of oneself in a smart parallel world. And AVATR aims to become a smart “avatar” that understands users. AVATR is committed to exploring future-oriented, humanized travel technology to create emotionally intelligent travel experiences for users. Standing on the shoulders of Changan and CATL, AVATR sets a new benchmark for premium smart EV, combining Changan’s latest automotive technology innovations with a pioneering design language centered around emotional intelligence. Every AVATR model is crafted in Changan’s state-of-the-art production facilities, whose advanced digital management system ensures their exceptional quality and precision.

AVATR has a design center in Germany. The AVATR 11 and AVATR 12 have both won the prestigious German “Red Dot Design Award” for Product Design. Their highly original futuristic aesthetic, including a disc-wing front face, floating body, and windowless rear design, is designed to the preferences of customers in the Middle East. Both models offer a luxurious and comfortable cabin experience with a Bowers & Wilkins audio system. Local users will enjoy the AVATAR models’ powerful electric performance and exceptional range, which delivers a leading-edge driving experience to the smart electric era.

Changan first introduced AVATR to the Middle Eastern market in November 2024, when it launched the AVATR 11 in the UAE. Today marks the first time customers outside of China are meeting the AVATR 12. Changan is widening AVATR’s footprint in the region as part of a broader roadmap that includes strategic investments in localized production, enhanced service networks, and tailored product offerings. As part of its commitment to deepening its regional operations and expanding its ecosystem of brands, products and services for its valued customers in the region, Changan is also bringing its NEV-focused brand, DEEPAL to the Middle East in 2025.

As it further diversifies its portfolio in the region with a comprehensive range of mobility solutions, including traditional fuel vehicles, high-end EVs and NEVs that meet the evolving preferences and expectations of users in the Middle East, Changan is also establishing a comprehensive local ecosystem. This will not only support its vehicles but also enhance the consumer experience with unparalleled customer support and consistent service quality that will ensure an exceptional experience for every Changan owner.

With the launch of AVATR in Qatar, Changan is redefining mobility experiences for more customers in the region, in alignment with its vision to be a leading provider of intelligent, sustainable mobility in the Middle East, and its dedication to innovation, sustainable progress, and customer satisfaction.

By 2026, AVATR plans to expand to five continents, establishing a network of over 100 authorized dealers in 50 countries. AVATR will continue to expand its international footprint, bringing high-end, technologically advanced, and valuable new luxury experiences to users worldwide.

#AVATR

RAMADAN AT OUR HABITAS RAS ABROUQ: THE ARABIAN ESCAPE STAYCATION

Discover local traditions and cultural experiences by the Arabian Gulf

Our Habitas Ras Abrouq has set the scene to gather, connect and focus on mindful and intentional moments this Ramadan season. Escape to the unexplored region of Ras Abrouq, a masterpiece of ancient Arabia, where Ramadan is the ideal time to visit. 

A reflective, purposeful break during the holy month, begins with intention. Inclusive of a complimentary room upgrade and late checkout, the ‘Arabian Escape Staycation’ invites guests to disconnect from external pressures and achieve balance. Our Habitas' programming throughout the stay highlights conscious mindfulness and inward exploration through meditation and restorative yoga - both experiential and traditional in nature. The stay includes a one-hour private family safari tour, where guests venture deep into the desert landscape, uncovering the land's rich history and exploring its stunning natural wonders.

This Ramadan, family and friends are invited to break their fast at Qissa restaurant, beginning their Iftar and Suhoor dining experience. Guests can enjoy an exclusive Iftar under the stars at the beachside tent, complete with traditional decorations, outdoor fires and a live oud player.

Ramadan: The Arabian Escape Staycation Offer

Available Stay Period: February 1st – May 1st 2025 

Price: Starting from QAR 3,200

Inclusions:

• Ramadan Iftar or Suhoor included during the holy month

• Complimentary room upgrade and late checkout (subject to availability)

• Immersive local traditional programming experiences

• Complimentary kids’ activities to entertain the little ones

• Complimentary one-hour private family safari tour

Iftar Under The Stars

Price: QAR 550 per person

For bookings, please contact +974 4023 0666 or email reservations.rasabrouq@ourhabitas.com.

#OURHABITASRASABROUQ

ROLLS-ROYCE ANNOUNCES BLACK BADGE SPECTRE: THE ALTER EGO, AMPLIFIED

“Black Badge Spectre is one of the clearest statements of power and purpose we have ever made. It has been created in the image of our boldest and most audacious clients, with meticulous attention to detail. From the beginning of Black Badge Spectre’s journey, the clients who requested this extraordinary motor car dared us to share their fearless spirit. In response, our engineers combined data science, qualitative feedback, and their own deep knowledge of the brand’s alter ego to craft an intense and uncompromising character, and the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history. Reflecting the Black Badge character, our designers and artisans realised their most dramatic and provocative vision with vivid details and exquisite contemporary crafts. The result is Black Badge Spectre: the alter ego of our brand, amplified.”Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

“The development of Black Badge Spectre began with our deep understanding of engineering the uncompromising nature of the Black Badge character, overlaid with the detailed analysis of client feedback and their driving style. Black Badge owners from around the world permitted our specialists to access their anonymised data, enabling us to create a new driving experience perfectly suited to – and validated by – the way our clients use their motor car. Following internal development, a small tranche of ‘secret’ Black Badge Spectres was built for a group of clients who requested the earliest possible access to this motor car. They emphatically approved of our engineering response, highlighting the powerful connection between Rolls-Royce and its clients.”Dr Bernhard Dressler, Director of Engineering, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveils Black Badge Spectre – the marque’s alter ego, amplified. In addition to debuting bold exterior finishes, vivid interior details, and innovative opportunities for Bespoke, Black Badge Spectre can summon a four-figure torque output (1075 Nm), with a record 485 kW (659 hp) of power. This makes Black Badge Spectre the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history.

In every way, Black Badge Spectre is Rolls-Royce at its most potent and audacious – which perfectly captures the spirit of the bold individuals it has been created for, and who requested it. Black Badge clients are unique within Rolls-Royce -building their success on pushing boundaries and refusing to be defined by traditional codes of luxury. Their approach to luxury is no different. They accept nothing less than the most exquisitely crafted products and uncompromising experiences, but demand a dynamic edge and an unapologetic attitude that reflects their world, their story, and their daring.

The decision to craft such a potent motor car was driven by the extraordinary expectations of the marque’s Black Badge clients. Their rigorous demands required an equally formidable engineering response, built on Rolls-Royce’s profound understanding of what a Black Badge should be: effortlessly intense, immediate, and precise.

To ensure this philosophy accurately reflected how clients use their motor cars in the field, a group of Rolls-Royce owners granted engineers access to their anonymised driving data, allowing drivetrain specialists to quantitatively analyse their driving behaviour across hundreds of thousands of collective miles. This revealed that clients exploited maximum power in short pulses more than over extended periods. This insight provided powerful validation of the marque’s approach, perfectly matching the dramatic, intense character of the most powerful Rolls-Royce ever created—meticulously developed in the image of this bold client group.

HARNESSING FORMIDABLE POWER

For Black Badge Spectre, the concept of formidable bursts of power is taken to an extreme with two powertrain innovations. Although these functions are new for a Rolls-Royce motor car, they have a historical precedent. In aircraft powered by the legendary Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, including the Supermarine Spitfire, pilots could obtain a burst of additional power by pushing a switch on the throttle quadrant. While the robust Merlin engine was easily able to accommodate these temporary pulses, pilots were required to report the use of the function on landing as a precaution to flight engineers – a requirement that does not apply to Black Badge Spectre drivers today.

The first innovation is a unique Infinity Mode, a tribute to the Infinity symbol used to signify a Black Badge Rolls-Royce. Unlocked by pressing the Infinity ∞ button on the steering wheel, the full 485 kW (659 hp) of power is made available, providing a more direct throttle response to the driver. Once this mode is activated, the dials become more vibrant to match the change in the motor car’s character.

Black Badge Spectre also features Spirited Mode, which allows the driver to experience a burst of intense, instantaneous acceleration. When the motor car is stationary, the driver engages this function by fully depressing the brake and throttle at the same time, waiting for a haptic and visual response signalling the car is ready, before fully releasing the brake. This temporarily amplifies the torque output to a landmark 1075 Nm, unleashing a surge of force and propelling the motor car from 0-60mph in just 4.1 seconds.

BLACK BADGE CHASSIS ENGINEERING

Rolls-Royce chassis specialists have introduced a number of changes to inspire clients to wield the unprecedented power of Black Badge Spectre with confidence. The steering weight is increased and the roll stabilisation is adjusted to create more feedback from steering inputs and reduce body-roll during cornering. Enhanced dampers also increase body control, reducing ‘squatting’ under acceleration or deceleration. These revisions perfectly balance an enhanced sense of engagement with the effortless operation and fêted Magic Carpet Ride associated with Rolls-Royce motor cars.

A CLANDESTINE AGREEMENT

Our conversations with clients made it clear that they were eagerly anticipating this motor car’s arrival long before its official debut, compelled by the potential of Spectre reimagined through the bold, unwavering lens of Black Badge. In response to their frequent enquiries, Rolls-Royce granted a select group early access to this motor car on the condition that they would keep their ownership secret until the official unveiling – a discreet introduction that resonated with the rebellious spirit of these individuals. A small, highly exclusive fleet of clandestine Black Badge Spectres was commissioned for these individuals ahead of the motor car’s reveal. Their emphatically positive response to Black Badge Spectre, and the motor car’s daring treatment that had been developed in their image, provided powerful validation of the most potent Rolls-Royce in history.

A DARKENED AESTHETIC  

Black Badge Spectre makes its global debut in a new Vapour Violet paint finish, a deep black-violet inspired by the neon ambience of 1980s and 1990s club culture – a celebrated reference among many Black Badge clients. A painted Iced Black bonnet has also been introduced, creating a bold contrast that can be paired with the marque’s palette of 44,000 ‘prêt-à-porter’ colours. Alternatively, clients can develop a Bespoke hue reserved for their exclusive use, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Bespoke designers.

In addition to the existing shoulder and fender coachline options, clients are now able to commission a ‘waft’ coachline, located on the lower half of the super coupé. This accentuates a crisp design line on the lower third of the motor car, subtly emphasising its commanding form and generous proportions.

Black Badge Spectre also introduces a bold new 23-inch five-spoke forged aluminium wheel design. Available in a part-polished or all-black finish, the complex geometry subtly indicates the hidden technical complexity and potency of this motor car. Highlighting the increasingly broad geography of Black Badge clients, winter tyres are available for the new wheelset from launch.

As with all Black Badge models before it, Black Badge Spectre’s mirror-polished brightwork is presented in a signature dark finish, signalling its subversive, noire character. This includes the marque’s hallmark Pantheon Grille surround, Spirit of Ecstasy, and the double ‘R’ Badge of Honour, as well as the motor car’s door handles, expansive side window surround and bumper accents.

VIVID ILLUMINATIONS

Furthering its commitment to advanced, contemporary crafts, Rolls-Royce has developed a unique feature that enhances and intensifies Black Badge Spectre’s Illuminated Grille. A new Illuminated Grille backplate has been introduced for the motor car, which is offered in Tailored Purple, Charles Blue, Chartreuse, Forge Yellow and Turchese, allowing clients to extend their chosen colour onto this new canvas, or create a unique accent to complement a coachline or the interior. This vibrantly coloured illumination can extend into the interior with newly developed Illuminated Black Badge Treadplates, which are available in ten complementary colours.

A VIBRANT INNER SANCTUARY

From the moment you enter Black Badge Spectre, its rebellious character is immediately apparent through the bold interior treatment.

The unique pattern on the Illuminated Fascia, which is an abstract expression of the Spirit of Ecstasy, now incorporates the Infinity symbol used across the wider Black Badge family. A statement of infinite power, the emblem once marked historical water-speed records and is a hallmark trusted by adrenaline pioneers. The fascia comprises over 5,500 ‘stars’ of varying proportions and intensity, set in a Piano Black ‘sky’.

Framing this advanced craft feature is a richly complex Technical Fibre surface finish. This diamond-shaped weave uses carbon and fine metal thread on top of a black Bolivar wood base. The thread is laid by hand in a diamond pattern between layers of carbon fibre, creating a three-dimensional effect. Once cured, each interior piece is sandblasted, sealed with six layers of lacquer, and hand-polished to a flawless finish, adding striking depth and clarity.

The Black Badge Infinity symbol is further incorporated in the motor car, stitched into the leather ‘Waterfall’ section, which separates the rear seats.

Black Badge Spectre’s instrument dials can be curated with a choice of five colour themes: Vivid Grellow, Neon Nights, Cyan Fire, Ultraviolet and Synth Wave, allowing clients to harmonise the physical and digital surfaces within their motor car via the SPIRIT operating system. This digital architecture of luxury also grants access to remote charging and location information, and the marque’s exclusive digital members club, Whispers.

DRAMATIC BY DESIGN

Black Badge Spectre is a motor car born of fearless expression and focus, meticulously crafted in the image of the daring individuals it was made to serve. Its landmark power output, chassis technologies, and expansive potential for Bespoke open a vivid new chapter in the highly successful stories of Black Badge – the formidable alter ego of Rolls-Royce.

#ROLLSROYCE #BLACKBADGE