Denza Z9GT: First model for Europe focuses on luxury and performance

New Models Denza Z9GT: BYD's Luxury, Technical Sophistication and an Ex-Audi Designer

2025-04-25 From Michael Specht/SP-X | Translated by AI 4 min Reading Time

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Denza's first model for Europe is a Shooting Brake over five meters long. With the Z9GT, the Chinese are consistently focusing on luxury, performance and unprecedented steering and chassis technology.

Denza's launch model, the Z9GT, is very similar to the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.(Image: Denza) — Denza's launch model, the Z9GT, is very similar to the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.
(Image: Denza)

So far, things have not been particularly promising for BYD in Germany. The world's largest manufacturer of electric cars sold just 2,900 vehicles in this country last year. The company launched in autumn 2022 with Han, Tang and Atto 3. There are now seven models to choose from, and an eighth is on the way with the Atto 2.

However, a company like BYD is not in the least deterred by initial difficulties. On the contrary, it has big plans in Europe and even wants to produce vehicles here. Factories are currently being built in Hungary and Turkey. The target is a capacity of 500,000 cars per year. Motto: in Europe for Europe. Even battery production is on the agenda.

Focus on German Premium Brands

But that's not all. This year, BYD is expanding its European strategy to include its luxury brand Denza. The Chinese are focusing on the German premium brands Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Porsche. The Stuttgart (Germany)-based sports car manufacturer in particular seems to have taken a liking to Denza. After all, its launch model, the Z9GT, is very similar to the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo.

Even with the luxury lounge in the rear, the Nio ET9 makes the established Europeans look outdated. (Image:Nio)

There is a reason for this. Wolfgang Egger is responsible for the design of the Denza Z9GT. The ex-Audi man has been with BYD for nine years and has focused on understated athleticism and timeless elegance for the 5.18-metre-long Z9GT. "A shooting-brake rear end is naturally better suited to this than a classic saloon," says Egger. "At the same time, it has a practical advantage in terms of trunk space and variability." He describes the Z9GT as a "gentleman's car".

Interior Resembles a Lounge

Inside, BYD is trying to go toe-to-toe with the established German competition—at least. Although the test vehicles were still pre-series models, the Z9GT already showed how to accommodate passengers in this vehicle class in style. The lounge-like interior impresses with first-class materials, precise workmanship and lavish equipment. For example, the box between the front seats can be cooled down to minus six degrees and can be opened on both sides.

The cockpit looks tidy and purist, dominated by the huge (17.3-inch) central display, which in turn is flanked by two smaller screens. One sits behind the steering wheel, the other is for the front passenger. The Chinese have also pulled out all the stops and come up with technical features that have not yet been seen anywhere else.

Three Electric Motors and two Steering Gears

The platform specially developed for the Z9GT not only has three electric motors (two at the rear, one at the front), but also two steering gears on the rear axle that operate independently of each other. The same applies to the electric motors. This enables the driver to perform unique tricks, although they may quickly become embarrassing in front of a roadside café.

For example, the Denza Z9 GT can turn 360 degrees to the right when the left front wheel is braked, or vice versa. The rear wheels turn in the opposite direction. The rubber-eating show interlude is designed to drive the car diagonally forward into a parking space parallel to the road and then turn in cool with the rear end.

Enormously small turning circle

And the special features go even further. The Denza system even allows the "crab gear" to be used to move the car diagonally (wherever this is necessary). However, the biggest advantage of the new steering technology is probably the extremely small turning circle, which repeatedly caused astonished faces during the test drive. A car over five meters tall turns on a road width of just 9.24 meters (approx. 30.3 ft). That's on a par with the smallest car.

On the other hand, the driving dynamics take the whole thing in the direction of a super sports car. At the front, the Shooting Brake draws 230 kW, at the rear two 240 kW, making a total of 710 kW. Denza promises a sprint from zero to 100 km/h (approx. 62 mph) in just 3.4 seconds. And this with an outstanding smoothness that only electric motors can deliver. It is also remarkable how quietly the Z9GT sits on the road and how pleasantly it rolls and springs even on bumpy surfaces.

Gallery

Internally, BYD is trying to go toe-to-toe with the established German competition—at the very least.(Image: Denza)

Wolfgang Egger is responsible for the design of the Denza Z9GT.(Image: Denza)

With the 5.18-meter-long (approx. 17-feet-long) Z9GT, Denza focuses on understated athleticism and timeless elegance.(Image: Denza)

The rear light graphics of the Z9GT are likely to be highly recognizable.(Image: Denza)

Gallery with 8 images

Denza Z9GT: Prices Probably over 100,000 euros (113,570 USD)

This means that even long trips should not be a problem. Especially as 100 kWh of battery capacity is available under the seats, good for a range of around 500 kilometers (approx. 311 miles). Denza will not announce more precise figures until the market launch in the fall. As will the prices, which are unlikely to start below 100,000 euros. At least not for the all-electric version. This is because the Z9GT will also be available as a plug-in hybrid, with similar performance values and an electric range of a good 150 kilometers (approx. 93 miles).

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Denza does not want to stop at the Z9GT in Europe. BYD boss Stella Li has announced that a new model will be launched on the market every six months. The Shooting Brake will be followed by the D9 van in 2026. Two SUVs are also in the pipeline. The Chinese are not even ruling out a sports car with the three-engine technology of the Z9GT.