Denza, the premium automotive brand supported by BYD, has officially announced its entrance into the European market. The brand held a major launch event in Milan, Italy, from April 7th to 12th, showcasing its ambitions for global growth. Titled "Extraordinary Technology, Driving Luxury," the event marked a milestone in Denza’s international expansion strategy. Denza strategically aligned the reveal with Milan Design Week, a globally renowned event for innovation and design, where it introduced its flagship luxury model, the Z9 GT. High-profile executives including Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD, Lian Yubo, Executive Vice President and Chief Scientist of BYD Group, and Wolfgang Egger, Global Design Director of BYD, were present at the unveiling.
The Denza Z9 GT is the first vehicle constructed on the brand’s advanced e3 platform, impressing attendees with its cutting-edge features. Highlights include the e3 parking assist system, high-speed tire blowout stability control operable at speeds up to 180 km/h, exceptional steering capabilities, a compact turning radius, and an intelligent crab walking function. Denza has been steadily advancing its global presence, having entered key Asian markets such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia over the past year. The company also plans to expand into several European nations over the next two years. As the luxury division of BYD, Denza’s entry into Europe is anticipated to strengthen BYD’s overall market presence and transform it into a globally recognized brand rather than just a Chinese powerhouse.
The Denza Z9 GT, a sleek and elegant wagon designed with global consumers in mind, has already launched in China. It is available in both plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and fully electric (BEV) variants. Visually, the Z9 GT sports a refined front bumper with a central air intake for the BEV version, while the PHEV features a more pronounced intake design. The styling cues draw comparisons to the Porsche Panamera, as the dimensions are quite similar. The electric Z9 GT measures 5180 mm in length, 1990 mm in width, and 1480 mm in height, while the PHEV version is marginally longer at 5195 mm due to its aggressive bumper design.
Inside, the Z9 GT offers a luxurious five-seat configuration, complemented by advanced features such as a rear-wheel steering system, a large infotainment screen, a digital instrument cluster for the driver, and a dedicated passenger touchscreen. The interior also boasts a retractable crystal gear shifter, dual wireless charging pads, and premium comforts like a zero-gravity front passenger seat with powered leg support. Impressively, the Z9 GT is equipped with two refrigerators: a 4-liter front unit and a larger 10-liter rear unit. Additional high-end features include a Devialet audio system and electronically adjustable second-row seats.
In terms of performance, the PHEV version utilizes the e3 platform combined with BYD’s fifth-generation Dual Mode (DM) technology. It pairs a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 203 horsepower with three electric motors, resulting in a combined output of 858 horsepower. This setup enables a 0 to 100 km/h sprint in just 3.6 seconds. The PHEV model comes with a 38.5 kWh LFP battery, offering an electric-only range of 201 km and a combined range of approximately 1,100 km. The all-electric Z9 GT, built on the e-Platform 3.0 Evo, features a tri-motor configuration that generates 952 horsepower, reaching 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds. It uses a 100.1 kWh LFP battery, providing a CLTC-certified range of 630 km.
While the Denza Z9 GT has already gone on sale in China with prices between 339,800 and 419,800 yuan ($47,500 to $58,800), the brand has yet to reveal the exact pricing and trim options for the European market.