Three times cheaper than a Porsche 911, this BYD challenges the queen!

BYD unveiled the Denza Z at the Shanghai Auto Show, already announced as a more serious electric rival to the Porsche 911.

No need to feign surprise because we knew for a long time that the Chinese giant BYD would reveal this Denza Z at the Shanghai Auto Show, a high-end 100% electric sports car designed to compete with the legendary Porsche 911. But the anticipation was no less great. This four-seater model embodies the pinnacle of BYD’s technologies, which will be integrated into other vehicles of the brand in the future. Offered in coupe and convertible versions, the model targets enthusiasts of luxury sports cars.

The Denza Z features an aggressive and dynamic design with clean lines, sharp headlights, a compact body, and appealing details such as hidden door handles and frameless windows. Inspired by efficiency and performance, it also offers a low and sporty stance that enhances its visual appeal. However, something is missing from this car, that little extra soul that makes a Porsche a Porsche, or a Ferrari a Ferrari. And certainly not the “Jacky Tuning” spoiler that adorns the pre-production model. As for the interior… Well, the emotional connection is lacking.

On the technological front, however, it’s an explosion of innovation! The Denza Z introduces an electric “steer-by-wire” system powered by advanced AI algorithms, ensuring a smooth on-road driving experience and precise circuit performance. Another major innovation is its foldable steering wheel, designed to enhance safety in case of collision while adding a futuristic touch.

BYD left nothing to chance

The model is also equipped with the intelligent Disus-M suspension system, capable of adjusting responses in real-time thanks to magnetorheological technology (must-know for impressing at social gatherings), providing increased stability during high-speed turns. An essential feature given that this car is inevitably heavy due to its batteries. A drawback that notably offers the advantage of a very low center of gravity, ensuring balanced handling. With good suspension, the only limit will ultimately be the resistance of the tires. Finally, the engine running at 30,511 revolutions per minute, already used in BYD Han L and Tang L models, ensures impressive performance, especially for rapid starts. On this point, it’s already clear that even a Porsche 911 GT3 might struggle against the Chinese vehicle.

Although the exact price has not yet been revealed, the Denza Z is expected to be offered on the Chinese market just above 300,000 yuan, that is barely more than… 36,000 euros! By comparison, the base Porsche 911 Carrera is sold in China for three times as much. A wildly large gap that favors BYD among buyers sensitive to value for money. But is that the main criterion for buying a Porsche?

To hope to compete with the 911 queen and claim a spot among the pantheon of sports cars, BYD will need to do much more than just deliver performance or competitive pricing. The Porsche 911 is more than just a car; it embodies six decades of history, precision engineering, and prestige built on both road and track. If BYD genuinely aims to establish itself in this segment, it must not only reach performance heights but also build a brand image capable of rivaling Porsche’s. An enormous task that no engineer, however talented, can accomplish alone and which won’t be achieved overnight.

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