BYD's Denza Z9 GT, a formidable new player in the luxury PHEV and EV market, has made its debut in China.
As a potential rival to the likes of Porsche’s Taycan and other electrified sports cars, the Z9 GT offers breathtaking performance but at a price point that undercuts its European competitors by a wide margin.
Denza, a sub-brand of BYD, aims to redefine the premium car segment, blending electrified powertrains with opulent features, all at a fraction of the cost.
Power to rival the best
At the heart of the Denza Z9 GT’s appeal is its astonishing power output. The plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) variant features a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine paired with three electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 640kW.
The all-electric version ramps things up even further with 710kW from its three electric motors. To put that into perspective, these numbers comfortably surpass the base model Porsche Panamera and even rival some of the most powerful Taycan variants.
The Z9 GT PHEV variant can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, making it a serious contender in the performance car world. Meanwhile, the pure electric version trims that time down to 3.4 seconds, putting it in direct competition with high-end EVs like the Taycan Turbo.
These extraordinary performance numbers are backed up by a range of 201km on electric power alone for the PHEV, or up to 630km on a single charge in the EV variant.
Premium features for less
In terms of pricing, the Denza Z9 GT significantly undercuts its German rivals. The Z9 GT PHEV starts at just ¥334,800 (approximately NZ$75,700), a fraction of what one would expect to pay for a Porsche.
Despite the competitive pricing, the Denza Z9 GT doesn’t skimp on luxury. Higher-end PHEV trims, like the Max and Ultra variants, offer features such as air suspension, massage seats, Nappa leather and a high-end 26-speaker sound system.
The limited LFE editions, capped at 2010 units, further enhance exclusivity with premium finishes and additional tech features.
Market expansion
Denza’s Z9 GT is poised for international expansion, with plans to enter the European market. BYD aims to position the Z9 GT as a direct competitor to premium models like the Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door.
European prices and specific configurations are yet to be announced, as is local availability, but with its combination of power, range and luxury, the Z9 GT is likely to attract attention from buyers seeking high performance without the premium price tag.
