BYD-backed Denza enters European market with flagship Z9 GT

Denza, the luxury automotive brand supported by BYD, has officially entered the European market. The brand held a launch event in Milan, Italy, from April 7 to 12, as part of Milan Design Week. The event, titled “Extraordinary Technology, Driving Luxury,” marked the European debut of Denza and the unveiling of its flagship vehicle, the Z9 GT.

Executives from BYD attended the event, including 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).

The Denza Z9 GT, the brand’s flagship model, is the first vehicle built on BYD’s e3 platform. Notable features include e3 parking assist, high-speed tire blowout stability control up to 180 km/h, a tight turning radius system (“compass turning”), enhanced steering capabilities, and an intelligent crab walking mode.

Denza has recently expanded into several Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. The company plans to enter multiple European countries over the next two years.

The Z9 GT is available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) configurations. It was launched earlier in China and features exterior styling similar in dimensions to the Porsche Panamera. The BEV version measures 5180 mm in length, 1990 mm in width, and 1480 mm in height. The PHEV variant is slightly longer at 5195 mm due to its bumper design.

Interior highlights of the Z9 GT include a rear axle that can turn, a five-seat configuration, a large central infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster, and a separate touchscreen for the front passenger. The center console features a retractable crystal gear shifter and dual wireless charging pads. The front passenger seat offers a zero-gravity mode and powered leg support. The vehicle also includes a 4-liter refrigerator in the front and a 10-liter unit in the rear, a Devialet audio system, and electrically adjustable rear seats.

The Z9 GT PHEV utilizes BYD’s fifth-generation Dual Mode (DM) system, pairing a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine (152 kW) with three electric motors for a combined output of 640 kW. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds. It is equipped with a 38.5 kWh LFP battery, offering an electric-only range of 201 km and a total range of approximately 1,100 km.

The all-electric Z9 GT uses BYD’s e-Platform 3.0 Evo and features a tri-motor setup producing a total of 710 kW. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds and is powered by a 100.1 kWh LFP battery, delivering a CLTC range of 630 km.

In China, the Denza Z9 GT is priced between 339,800 and 419,800 yuan (approximately USD $47,500 to $58,800). European pricing and available trim levels have not been disclosed. Denza plans to position the Z9 GT as a competitor to German luxury brands such as BMW, Audi, and Mercedes-Benz.