Denza redefines the premium segment

During the enthusiastic and passionate presentation in the heart of the Lombard metropolis, the question arose: Can a car be reinvented? Perhaps not new, but in terms of design and technology at a level that deserves the inflationary use of the term "innovative" in the industry. At least that's the view of those responsible at Denza, who were full of praise for their flagship model Z9GT at the brand launch. A car "that will amaze people as soon as they see it", says Stella Li, BYD's Head of Europe, with conviction. She speaks of a "game changer" and uses the iPhone as a comparison, which eclipsed all the dominant products on the market when it was launched. She told the European press that the market launch of the Denza Z9GT model in Europe will have a similar impact.

Despite its length of 5.2 meters and its weight of almost 3 tons, the Z9GT will also be a success in Switzerland. Because the car is more maneuverable than any other, has a lot of power and range and is equipped with universal (all-wheel) technology. The maneuverability is a point that Denza is particularly proud of: two steering motors - one for each of the rear wheels - are controlled as required so that the right and left rear wheels steer autonomously, i.e. independently of each other as well as of the front axle. This gives the vehicle unrivalled maneuverability, improved stability when cornering and braking and, above all, revolutionary parking technology. Specifically, the car can be turned on the spot around its own front wheel vertical axle. The car masters lateral parking in the tightest of spaces by sliding the rear end in sideways, while the front is already positioned in the parking space like the tip of a compass. This technology gives the Z9GT a turning radius of 4.62 meters. A value with which the imposing Grand Tourer puts many city cars from the small car segment such as a Fiat 500 or Renault Twingo in the shade.

Denza builds the Z9GT on a so-called e3 platform with two different powertrains - purely electric or as a super DM hybrid. The electric version accelerates the car from 0 to 100 km/h in around three seconds. Its front motor delivers 230 kW/313 hp and each of its rear motors can generate a peak output of 240 kW/326 hp at a speed of up to 21,000 rpm. Under the hood of the plug-in hybrid Super DM version of the Z9GT is a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine. Its peak output is 152 kW/207 hp with a torque of 325 Nm and, thanks to electric assistance, it achieves a total output of 200 kW/272 hp. Each of its rear electric motors then produces a further 220 kW/299 hp.

An intelligent architecture ensures a high level of safety in the Z9GT. Vehicle Motion Control (VMC) takes control of all controllable elements of the vehicle - brakes, suspension and steering. It then uses an industry-leading signal transmission rate of 10 milliseconds or less to enable faster, more accurate and more comprehensive control of the vehicle's movement. Denza calls it a revolutionary system integration that can even respond to dangerous situations such as tire blowouts at high speed (up to 180 km/h).

Design inspired by flowing silk and the golden mean
The Z9GT was designed under the direction of German Design Director Wolfgang Egger "as the world's most elegant GT flagship model", as BYD immodestly communicates. The Denza design team was inspired by the "golden mean" and falling silk. Golden proportions are one of the basic laws of beauty in all of life and silk flows with an elegance all its own in this finely woven fabric. "In car design, we do everything we can to unite the golden mean and flowing lines," says Bavarian-born Wolfgang Egger, who has a past with car brands such as Alfa Romeo, Seat, Audi, Lamborghini and Lancia.

Interior: high-quality saloon space meets high-end technology
With its flat silhouette, the Z9GT's appearance is similar to that of the Porsche Taycan, although the rear of the Z9GT is less sloping and more elongated. The interior shows great attention to detail, with large leather surfaces and tastefully integrated elements made of lightly smoked bamboo wood exuding a quality reminiscent of cars from the luxury segment. The front seats are equipped with massage, ventilation and heating functions. Active side bolsters, which share their air tanks with the vehicle's air suspension and offer additional support when cornering, are touted as a world first. The ultra-wide rear seats are also equipped with a heating, ventilation and massage function, all comfort components for long journeys.

The built-in infotainment system is also high-end, with the focus on a central 17.3-inch screen. This display is supplemented by an additional 13.2-inch screen, which allows the person in the front passenger seat to interact with the vehicle's own entertainment system. The Devialet sound system is equipped with 20 loudspeakers and creates a cinema-quality sound experience. A cooling compartment is also part of the standard equipment, as is a panoramic glass roof with sun protection.

The Z9GT will be further optimized for European customers
Denza's product and engineering teams are currently working on a number of measures to further enhance the Z9GT when it arrives in European showrooms. These improvements include powertrain, performance, range, tire sizes and specifications, and cargo capacity. The market launch is planned for the last quarter of 2025, but the price remains to be seen.

About Denza
Denza is BYD's premium brand. It was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Daimler AG. Denza launched its first own vehicle on the market in 2014. In 2025, the premium manufacturer is celebrating its European premiere with three models, led by the impressive Denza Z9GT. Denza is the abbreviation for Shenzhen Denza New Energy Automotive Co. Ltd. Each letter of the name Denza itself refers to a key feature of the brand values. D stands for Diverse, E for Elegance, N for Novel, Z for Zenith and A for Aspirational.