Denza, the luxury automotive brand backed by BYD, has announced its official entry into the European market with a brand launch event held in Milan, Italy, from April 7th to 12th. The βExtraordinary Technology, Driving Luxuryβ event marked a significant step in Denzaβs global expansion strategy.
Denza chose Milan Design Week to unveil its flagship innovative luxury model, the Z9 GT. Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, Lian Yubo, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist of BYD Group, and Wolfgang Egger, Global Design Director of BYD, attended the launch event.
Denza Z9 GT is the first model built on the advanced e3 platform. It impressed attendees with its signature features, including e3 parking assist, high-speed tire blowout stability control at speeds up to 180 km/h, extreme steering capabilities, a tight turning radius (βcompass turningβ), and intelligent crab walking mode.
Denza has been steadily accelerating its international expansion. Since last year, the brand has successfully entered several Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. It also plans to enter dozens of European countries within the next two years.
As BYDβs luxury arm, Denzaβs arrival in Europe is expected to further strengthen BYDβs overall competitiveness in the international market, transitioning from a Chinese brand to a globally recognized one.
The Denza Z9 GT, a sleek wagon developed by BYD for global markets, has already been launched in China. It has plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrain options. The all-electric Denza Z9 GT features a refined front bumper with a central air intake, while the PHEV variant sports a larger intake. Its exterior styling parallels the Porsche Panamera, with similar body dimensions. The electric Z9 GT measures 5180/1990/1480mm in l/w/h, while the PHEV is slightly longer at 5195mm due to more aggressive bumpers.
Key features of the Denza Z9 GT include a turning rear axle, five seats, a large central infotainment screen, an LCD instrument cluster for the driver, and a dedicated touchscreen for the front passenger. The center console houses a retractable crystal gear shifter and two wireless charging pads. The front passenger seat offers a zero-gravity mode and electrically powered leg support. Notably, the Z9 GT boasts two refrigerators: a 4-liter unit in the front and a larger 10-liter unit in the rear. Other premium features include a Devialet sound system and electrically adjustable second-row seats.
The Denza Z9 GT PHEV variant utilizes BYDβs e3 platform and the 5th generation DM (Dual Mode) system. It combines a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine producing 152 kW (203 hp) with three electric motors, delivering a combined power output of 640 kW (858 hp). This allows for a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of just 3.6 seconds. The PHEV is equipped with a 38.5 kWh LFP battery, providing an electric-only range of 201 km and a combined range of around 1,100 km.
The all-electric Denza Z9 GT is built on BYDβs e-Platform 3.0 Evo architecture and features a tri-motor setup with a total power output of 710 kW (952 hp). The BEV variant is slightly quicker, achieving 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. It is powered by a 100.1 kWh LFP battery, offering a CLTC range of 630 km.
While the Denza Z9 GT has been launched in China with prices ranging from 339,800 to 419,800 yuan (47,500 to 58,800 USD), its European pricing and specific trim levels have yet to be announced. However, Denza aims to position the Z9 GT as a competitor to established German luxury brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz in the European market.
