BYD's upscale Denza marque has started pre-sales in China for the Z9S, a full-size electric saloon derived from the Z9 GT shooting brake that is currently offered in Brazil for R$ 670,000. Orders are being taken at 319,800–389,800 yuan (roughly R$ 245,000–298,600 on direct conversion, before taxes), with the model due in dealerships on September 23.
Styling stays close to the wagon, but the nose gains slimmer twin LED headlamps whose high- and low-beam modules sit within the flanks of the front bumper. At the rear, the light clusters stretch onto the trunk lid without joining, and an electrically operated spoiler is fitted. Measuring 5.09 m long with a 3.02 m wheelbase, the saloon is fractionally smaller than the Z9 GT in every dimension except height.
Inside, Denza specifies Nappa leather seats and a suede-lined roof, along with a magnetic panel for attaching accessories such as tablets and a 7-inch screen in the rear armrest that lets back-seat passengers control climate, lighting and entertainment.
Three grades are on offer. The base Z9S uses a single 502 hp motor with a 102.2 kWh battery rated at 780 km on the CLTC cycle. The Flagship moves to three motors totaling 1,209 hp and a 122.4 kWh pack, returning 1,100 km CLTC — a figure Denza bills as the longest range of any electric car, beating the 1,036 km record held by the Z9 GT — for 349,800 yuan. The top e3 Edition keeps the tri-motor drivetrain but pairs it with the smaller battery, adding rear-wheel steering, a crab-walk mode and air suspension that make it heavier, at 389,800 yuan.