Denza Z9 GT also comes to Europe

Chinese car brand Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, recently revealed the first glimpse of a new model. The registration application in China has now provided unveiled images and initial information, such as the model’s name.

It is mandatory to be included in the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) vehicle catalog, which makes an early market launch likely. The catalog lists all vehicles with standardized data so that consumers can obtain neutral information and make comparisons.

Inclusion in the catalog is the last major regulatory process before a model can be sold in China. In the case of the Denza Z9 GT, the Chinese public now has until 22 April to provide feedback. The official market launch with orders could then take place, possibly as early as the motor show in Beijing at the end of April. According to the post on the CN EV website, the vehicle will be delivered at the end of the year.

Recently, a camouflaged prototype was spotted driving around in Germany, suggesting that the car will also come to Europe. It attracted quite a lot of attention from interested bypassers. Since 2023, DENZA’s cars have debuted at large auto shows in Thailand, Germany, Japan, Indonesia, Switzerland, and other countries. The new model is destined to play a core role in Denza”s and BYD’s global market sales.

Sporty high-end

This saloon, called the Z9 GT, has the shooting brake style. It is 5.18 meters long, 1.99 meters wide, and 1.50 or 1.48 meters high, depending on the version (with the optional air suspension, it is 20 millimeters less than with the standard chassis). The wheelbase is given as 3.125 meters in the Chinese documents.

It was already apparent at the public presentation of that prototype in Stuttgart a few weeks ago; the images now published confirm it: the Z9 GT is not only visually reminiscent of the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo (especially in the side view) but the new Denza also plays in the sports car league in terms of performance.

The clean, streamlined, low-wind resistance design embodies the philosophy of its designer Wolfgang Egger, formerly at work for Audi, culminating in electric elegance that is sporty yet luxurious. “The design is simultaneously spirited and deluxe,” he commented.

The Z9 GT is equipped with three electric motors (one at the front and two at the rear). The drive unit on the front axle has an output of 230 kW, while those on the rear axle each have 240 kW. That makes a total output of 710 kW.

It is not clear from the documents whether this is also the system output or whether the battery is the limiting factor; only the outputs of the individual motors are listed there. The battery comes from FinDreams Battery, BYD’s battery division. Further details about the battery are not yet available, but it is likely that it will be BYD’s own LFP technology.

The long wheelbase and high performance, as well as the total weight of the vehicle, indicate that the battery of the Z9 GT will probably be quite generously dimensioned: the Z9 GT is said to weigh a whopping 2,875 kilograms.

BYD at the steering wheel

Denza was founded in 2010 and was initially a 50-50 joint venture between BYD and (at the time) Daimler AG. In 2022, the Stuttgart-based company – now Mercedes-Benz AG after Daimler Truck went on its own – significantly reduced its stake in Denza. Since then, BYD has held 90% and has practically all decision-making power now.

As a result, BYD has reorganized its model portfolio. Currently, it sells three models: two SUVs called N7 and N8, as well as the D9 van, a large MPV, the type of vehicle that is currently very popular in China and seems to have started a revival in the People’s Republic.