The BYD’s Denza N9 flagship SUV was seen in London, UK without camouflage ahead of the domestic launch. It is the first time we see a vehicle with no protective film. The fact that Denza N9 was spotted in London hints at strong overseas ambitions. The N9 is a 5.3-meter SUV with up to 951 hp.
Denza is a high-end brand under BYD, founded in 2011 by BYD and Mercedes-Benz. In 2021, the German automaker diluted its share in Denza to 10%. In September 2024, BYD took 100% ownership of Denza. This brand sold 89,804 cars from January to September this year. BYD plans to bring Denza to Europe with the Denza Z9 GT wagon (see specs) as the launch car. It seems that the Denza N9 SUV would follow shortly, as it was seen in London.
Denza N9 in London
It is the first time we see the Denza N9 with no camouflage. It retains the brand’s latest design language with thin running light strips under the main headlamps. The spotted car has a closed front end with no radiator grille. Its front bumper has a trapeze-shaped air intake and mm-wave radars integrated into C-shaped trim elements.
The Denza N9 has a sturdy look and a high bonnet line. The spotted car shows off cameras instead of side-view mirrors and retractable door handles that soften its look. Multi-spoke rims and wheel arches painted in body color hint it is a high-end crossover designed for urban commutes. The N9’s D-pillars have Denza emblems on them. Another feature is the LiDAR bump on the roof.
From the back, the Denza N9 has a pair of elongated taillight units with integrated dynamic turn signals. It also has a rear bumper made of glossy black plastic. A badge in the lower left part of the tailgate says “Denza N9” in Chinese. And the one in the lower right corner says “e3 BYD”. The N9 stands on the BYD’s e3 platform. It supports BEV and PHEV powertrain variants. However, it isn’t clear if the spotted car is all-electric or plug-in hybrid.
More about Denza N9
The BYD’s Denza N9 is a full-size SUV with a body length of around 5.3 meters. So, it is 250 mm longer than the Range Rover. The N9’s main domestic rivals are Li Auto L9 and Aito M9. Inside, the Denza flagship crossover has three rows of seats with a 2 + 2 + 3 layout. Its second row offers two independent captain chairs. Its center console has a three-screen design. Another feature of the Denza N9 is a storage box with heating and cooling functions.
The Denza N9 most likely adopts powertrain options similar to those of the Denza Z9 GT. The latter is available in BEV and PHEV variants. Its electric modification has a single electric motor in the front axle for 230 kW (308 hp) and two e-motors in the rear axle for 240 kW (322 hp) each. The combined power output reaches 710 kW (951 hp). The PHEV variant has three electric motors for 640 kW (871 hp), and a 2-liter ICE for 200 kW (268 hp).
The Denza N9 will cost less than 500,000 yuan (70,760 USD / 64,685 EUR / 54,130 GBP) in China. Its approximate price range for the overseas markets is unknown.
Denza in Europe
Previously, CarNewsChina reported that BYD is in talks with potential dealers about introducing Denza to Europe. It will start sales with the Denza Z9 GT wagon. Later, its model line in Europe will be supplemented by Fang Cheng Bao off-road crossovers. The exact date of the Denza’s European launch is unknown. We hope BYD will reveal more details on the Paris Motor Show on October 14.
Source: WeChat