With Denza, BYD Targets European Luxury Car Manufacturers

Denza, a luxury brand backed by the Chinese manufacturer BYD, has announced its official entry into the European market.

This announcement orchestrated by BYD took place during an event held in Milan, Italy. This small gathering, very simply titled “Extraordinary Technology, Driving Luxury“, signifies extraordinary technology for luxurious driving, and is part of an ambitious global expansion strategy for Denza.

Similar to Japanese brands Toyota with Lexus, Honda with Acura, Nissan with Infiniti, or even Citroën with DS, BYD aims to position Denza as a full-fledged premium brand. This model also recalls the success of Cupra, Seat’s sporty division, which managed to establish itself to the point of rivaling its parent company. With a solid presence in Asia and now in Europe, BYD seems well-equipped to make Denza a reference in the high-end segment.

The Milan event was an opportunity for Denza to present its flagship model, the Z9 GT. Built on BYD’s advanced platform, this luxurious plug-in hybrid family sedan (PHEV) and 100% electric (BEV) impressed with its technological innovations. Among these are parking assistance, stability in case of high-speed tire blowouts (up to 180 km/h), an ultra-tight turning radius, and the “crab walking” mode for extreme maneuvers.

The Z9 rings the Olifant!

The BEV version of the Z9 GT, based on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture, reaches a total power of 710 kW (952 hp) and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. With a 100.1 kWh battery, it offers a respectable range, though not extraordinary, of 630 km in the CLTC cycle or approximately 500 km in WLTP. Performance doesn’t necessarily equate to efficiency in this sector. As for the hybrid model, it combines a 2.0-liter turbo petrol engine with three electric motors for a combined power of 640 kW (858 hp), enabling a total range of 1,100 km.

The interior, focused on comfort and technology, features a central touchscreen, electrically adjustable seats, two refrigerators, and a Devialet sound system. With dimensions reminiscent of the Porsche Panamera, the Denza Z9 GT promises to compete with major German brands like BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

European prices are yet to be determined, but in China, they range between 339,800 and 419,800 yuan (approximately 44,000 to 54,000 euros). However, it is common for Chinese prices to double upon arriving in Europe due to transportation costs, but especially high customs duties.