After unveiling the first iteration of the Z sports car last year, Denza has picked Auto China in Beijing to show its open-top convertible sibling. The Denza Z will be an all-electric supercar available in three configurations: Standard, Convertible, and Track. The full launch will be at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
Denza is accelerating its product offensive with a new flagship supercar. BYD’s premium sub-brand unveiled the Denza Z at Auto Shanghai last year, as a Chinese competitor to the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. Soon after, a convertible version was spotted during testing. Denza has now unveiled the Z Convertible at the Beijing Auto Show, calling it the “world’s first intelligent electric supercar” and announcing a third variant yet to be unveiled.
Z9GT technology
The Denza Z borrows some technology from the Z9GT shooting brake that was recently launched in Europe, but drapes it in a more elegant convertible body designed by Wolfgang Egger. The four-seat electric roadster has carbon-fiber bodywork to reduce weight, while its aerodynamic nose boosts downforce, improving stability at high speeds.
Under the hood, a tri-motor drivetrain develops over 1,000 horsepower, allowing for the Denza Z to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than two seconds – faster than most supercars and even hypercars on sale today.
And when the battery is empty, Flash Charging takes it back to 70% in 5 minutes, or up to 97% in 9 minutes. Meanwhile, DiSus-M active suspension keeps the bodywork flat during intense acceleration or cornering.
Challenging million-dollar supercars
The aim of Denza is clear. “The arrival of the DENZA Z marks a watershed moment for the global auto industry, as the world’s first premium brand with a uniquely new-energy approach breaks into the core territory of million-dollar luxury supercars, a segment traditionally dominated by legacy European manufacturers.”
Be that as it may, the Denza Z won’t cost a million dollars (or Euros). It will likely be placed above the Z9GT in the range, which retails for around €115,000. Expect a price tag of around €150,000 to €200,000, placing it in direct competition with the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio Folgore.
Other than that, there aren’t many electric sports cars in this segment, let alone ones with a convertible roof. The MG Cyberster is much more modestly priced and also can’t match the Denza Z’s performance.
You can choose the name
Denza is planning three different variants of the Z: Standard, Convertible, and Track. However, these are not their definitive names. The brand is launching a public competition to name each of these editions. The full global launch is scheduled for the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July.
