Denza was initially based in 2010 as a three way partnership between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, launching its first automotive into the Chinese language market in 2014. Now wholly owned by BYD, it went via a big rebrand in 2021, with Wolfgang Egger—who beforehand led design groups at Audi and Lamborghini—becoming a member of on the helm as chief designer.
The Z9GT has been chosen by BYD because the Denza automotive to launch into the market as a result of it apparently represents the “better of BYD expertise and one of the best of BYD design,” Li says.
At its coronary heart is Denza’s personal e3 Platform, which brings plenty of headline options. Actually probably the most hanging is its rear-wheel dual-motor unbiased steering, which permits the best and left wheels to steer independently of the entrance axle, and of one another. In addition to permitting drivers to toe in and toe out of tight areas, it additionally permits the automotive to “crab stroll”—the place the auto seemingly glides in a sideways movement—as much as an industry-leading angle of 15 levels.
This eminently helpful lateral trickery is all managed by Z9GT’s Automobile Movement Management structure, which may take over braking, suspension and steering—even within the case of a high-speed tire blowout, the place it might probably modify the torque of the unaffected tyres, redistributing the ability at speeds of over 110 mph.
The e3 Platform additionally permits the Z9GT to undertake a Cell-to-Physique construction, which sees the Blade Battery built-in into the automotive’s structure, as seen within the BYD Seal. Apart from a stiffening boon to the chassis, this ensures a totally flat flooring and helps to create an extra 15 mm vertical area within the cabin for as a lot room inside as attainable.
Talking of the inside, anticipate suitably premium leather-based seats and picket accents throughout the sprint, with 128-color lighting for setting the cabin atmosphere to your style. Entrance seats will get 12-way electrical adjustment and 10-point therapeutic massage and heating, together with a supposedly world-first execution of energetic facet bolsters, which share their air tanks with the automotive’s air suspension for extra help throughout cornering.
A big 17.3-inch central infotainment system floats in entrance of the fascia and is joined by twin ultra-wide 13.2-inch screens to permit the entrance passenger to work together with the in-car leisure. Additional options embody a refrigerated compartment for chilling contents all the way down to -6°C, and a 2.1m2 panoramic glass roof, plus a 20-speaker sound system from audiophile model Devialet.
The Z9GT will provide a selection of powertrain at launch, both pure electrical—launching first in November—or Tremendous DM hybrid, which can include a 2-liter turbocharged petrol engine and comply with in February 2026. Denza says the pure-electric model will provide 0-60 mph in a speedy 3.4 seconds, with the hybrid promising the identical in 3.6 seconds.
In fact, value will likely be an enormous consider how profitable Denza is in its ambitions towards its well-established, and better-known competitors. Denza and BYD are staying tight lipped on pricing for now, so we’ll anticipate to listen to extra as we get nearer to the Z9GT’s launch later this yr. And as for any plans for an US launch? A fast and easy reply: “We haven’t any plans to launch any shopper automotive within the US,” Li says.
