Denza, BYD’s premium brand, has introduced the Z9S in China as a large electric sedan positioned alongside, rather than as a replacement for, the Z9GT. The Z9S measures 5.09 metres long and has a 3.02-metre wheelbase. Denza claims up to 1,100 km of range on the Chinese CLTC test cycle, depending on configuration.
The lineup is set to include a rear-wheel-drive, single-motor version rated at 503 hp and an all-wheel-drive, three-motor model with a combined 1,210 hp. The latter is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.68 seconds. BYD’s God’s Eye 5.0 driver-assistance system is also included, alongside automatic emergency braking and emergency steering assistance.
Inside, the Z9S has a 17.3-inch central display, a 13.2-inch digital instrument panel and a 50-inch head-up display. Rear passengers get a 7-inch screen in the centre armrest for controlling features including climate, entertainment and seat settings. The car uses a 102.3-kWh second-generation Blade Battery and BYD’s Flash Charging system. Denza says charging from 10% to 70% takes five minutes, or nine minutes from 10% to 97%; at temperatures as low as -30°C, it claims a 20%-to-97% charge in 12 minutes.
Reported range figures for different configurations include 623 km, 920 km and 891 km. Chinese-market prices start at the equivalent of about €34,000, rising to €36,700 for a version with fast-charging capability and €43,400 for the most powerful model. The article compares that range with the Tesla Model 3, priced there at about €31,240 to €45,000. Denza has already begun building awareness outside China with the Z9GT, which is sold in European markets including Germany.