- Denza says EV is ‘ten times better than competitors
- The Z9 GT has 952 horsepower from three electric motors
- The Z9 GT model is the first of many as Denza breaks into the European market
Denza, a China-based EV manufacturer, will launch its 962 hp Z9 GT model in the European electric vehicle (EV) market in another sign that clean transportation is booming in popularity.
The Chinese company, owned by EV giant BYD, has described the Z9 GT as “ten times better” than EVs currently on the market.
It also claimed that the Z9 GT has “lots of unique features” that “legacy brands” do not.
Among these are the ability to ‘crab walk,’ meaning it can effectively slide sideways into tight parking spaces.
The Z9 GT is similar to Porsche’s Taycan Sport Turismo, but it is over 200mm longer and has a wheelbase that’s 225 mm longer.
It has a 100.1kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack that feeds three electric motors to produce a combined 952 horsepower and a range of 391 miles.
Denza also offers a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) version in China that combines the three electric motors with a 2.0-liter turbo engine. The PHEV is, however, slightly less powerful at 858 horsepower.
Prices for the Z9 GT have not yet been announced for European markets, but in China the model costs between £35,283 and £43,714.
The company says it is targeting the luxury EV market and premium customers, but it also wants to appeal to younger customers and those keenly interested in technology.
Sales of the first model, the Z9 GT, are expected to begin towards the end of the year. It challenges pre-established luxury manufacturers and rivals models such as the Porsche Panamera and Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door.
Competitors such as the Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo, cost between £106,248 and £158,108, depending on additional features. If these prices are anything to go by, the Z9 GT will be a more affordable option in comparison.
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The brand itself launched in Europe at a special event in Milan, Italy, and will initially build and export from China before moving to its new plant in Hungary from October.
Executive vice-president of BYD, Stella Li, described selling BYD cars as “simple” as all you have to do is to “bring all the competing cars to a test track and let customers choose for themselves.”
Denza is one of three of BYD’s premium sub-brands, sitting beside Fang Cheng Bao and Yangwang, the former of which BYD allegedly plans to consolidate into the Denza European umbrella. The first model, the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5 would be rebranded as a Denza.
The Z9 GT will be followed by the D9, a luxurious van manufactured for the same consumer base, and will eventually offer a line-up of four to six models in Europe.
