Porsche Targeted by DENZA, BYD’s Premium Brand
This page is translated from the original post "Porsche dans le viseur de DENZA, la marque Premium de BYD" in French.
- 26/02/2025 16:49
BYD announces DENZA’s presence at Milan Design Week, a precursor to the commercialization of the Z9 GT in Europe.
BYD, owner of DENZA, announced last August its intention to launch the Z9 GT in Europe. The business model is quite simple and now well-known among Chinese automakers: offer a less expensive alternative to their main competitors. But this time, BYD is no longer targeting generalist manufacturers but a flagship of European sports car industry, Porsche. We are not making this up; the Stuttgart manufacturer was clearly mentioned in the early BYD/DENZA press releases!
The elegant Shooting Brake actually targets two Porsche models, the Taycan and the Panamera, as it is available in both 100% electric and hybrid versions. Before detailing the technical specifications, you should know that in China, the Z9 GT is sold starting at $47,500…
A 2-in-1 Model
Its electric version is equipped with three motors, one at the front and two at the rear, totaling 952 horsepower. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds, a slightly better time than the most powerful versions of the Taycan, but not to be ashamed of the comparison. It features a 100.1 kWh battery, with a range of 630 km according to the Chinese homologation cycle, roughly 500 km in WLTP cycle. Carrying over two tons at high speed is clearly not a camel.
The plug-in hybrid version combines a 2.0-liter turbo internal combustion engine with three electric motors, offering a total power exceeding 1,000 horsepower. Logically, this variant is somewhat slower due to the inertia of the thermal engine. It is equipped with a 38.5 kWh battery, providing DENZA claims of 200 km electric range and a combined range of 1,100 km.
The Z9 GT even surpasses the Taycan and Panamera in dimensions, promising a more spacious interior. The interior design features a large central screen, accompanied by small displays for the driver and passenger. Cameras replace side mirrors, displaying their feed on additional screens integrated into the dashboard.
As an anecdote, DENZA was created in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes. Following the German manufacturer’s withdrawal in 2024, the brand became a wholly owned subsidiary of BYD, with ambitions to establish itself as a luxury brand with international reach. Porsche can thank the star manufacturer for this poisoned gift!
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