A LITTLE known car brand with EVs '10 times better than its rival firms' is coming to the UK in months.
Chinese firm Denza, which is the high-class car wing of the ever-growing BYD marque, is readying its stylish Denza Z9 GT for its first release outside of its homeland.
The luxury estate, which is looking to break into the same market occupied by the Porsche Panamera and Porsche Taycan, was designed by former Audi and Alfa Romeo designer Wolfgang Egger.
It’ll launch in Europe this year, with a UK launch expected for 2026.
In terms of positioning in the market, Denza will be above the high-volume BYD range, but below its ultra luxurious Yangwang offering.
And it will sit parallel to the BYD’s off-road-orientated Fangshengbao brand.
Two cars are already planned –
And in total there will be around six or seven cars, and two of those will be off-roaders.
Executive vice president of BYD, Stella Li said: “‘The Denza brand has European influence at its heart, and we are confident that buyers will find distinctive, unique appeal in the car’s mix of sophisticated, elegant design, strong performance and astounding technology.
“This model is a defining example of what Denza strives to achieve; this makes it the perfect choice to lead Denza into Europe.”
BYD is currently the world's second-largest maker of EVs (after Tesla) and the car making giant is hoping to significantly expand its presence in Europe.
Already available in China the Z9 exists as both a shooting brake and three-box saloon – but BYD’s believe the shooting brake will do better in Europe.
The Z9 GT includes high tech and gets an e3 platform with BYD-blade cell and cell-to-body tech, and it can also swing itself 360-degrees and crab walk into tight spaces.
The BEV takes 3.4 seconds to hit 62mph from a standstill, and thanks to a 100kWh battery, 308bhp front motor and a pair of 322bhp rear motors (Chinese specs) it produces 952bhp.
“This car is really ten times better than the competition” Li told Car at the brand launch.
She continued: “We have a lot of unique features the other legacy brands do not have.
“The Z9 GT is a good model to represent BYD technology, represent the design and all the unique technology we have for Denza brand.”
Only the Z9 GT and D9 MPV are on offer for now, though more cars were shown on a slide during the brand launch.
Li said: “We need to pay extreme attention to the after sales service.
“We bring a very technologically [advanced] model, but then we’ll build up a very strong after-sales service.
“When we launch into Denza, that’s more about premium. It’s very important, not only to tell the story, but also pay attention to the details – and the service we will do much better.”
Denza will land in Europe and be sold in a separate network to BYD, and the brand will benefit from its own bespoke dealers, marketing and sales teams.
