Denza Z9GT: The stun gun
With 1156 hp, it takes off like a bullet, parks at an angle like a crab and loads almost as quickly as others fill up: the Denza Z9GT wets everyone out for 115,000 francs.
Blank fear is sometimes expressed in very diplomatic terms. When the media recently asked established car brands about the super-fast flash charging of the Denza Z9GT, BMW, for example, said that they didn't see the practical benefits. Well, what can they say? If the Z9GT with 1500 kW charging power is filled from ten to 80 percent after six minutes, the BMW driver has to spend another 15 minutes charging even in the «new class» (400 kW). The amazing Z9GT has been available to order since April and will be on the road from July.
Charging almost as fast as refueling
Who is Denza? The BYD premium brand was founded in 2010 as a joint venture with Mercedes. Since 2024, BYD has been in sole control, growing from a battery manufacturer to a car giant with almost one million employees and the largest e-car manufacturer long before Tesla. Now Tesla's Superchargers are to be overtaken: Denza is planning 3000 flash chargers in Europe (there are already 5000 in China), with Zurich kicking things off here. Why all this? Because the Z9GT charges faster than fast chargers (where it charges at their maximum capacity) can. We try it out live: Ten percent battery level - and off we go at the flash charger. The numbers on the display flicker wildly: five minutes to 70 percent, nine to 97 percent (three minutes more in frosty conditions). But hello!
Turning circle of a small car
We are so amazed by this miracle of electrical engineering that, ironically, things that would otherwise be headline news are pushed into the background. The range, for example. Officially, the Z9GT already has a range of 600 kilometers without charging. We often put the pedal to the metal on a test tour, but the calculated range would have been 601 kilometers. Not impressed? Let's maneuver and park. The turning circle is sensational thanks to the rear-wheel steering: this Mercedes S-Class-sized ship is 5.18 meters long. But it turns at 9.5 meters, i.e. to Opel Corsa dimensions. If it gets tight, the Z9GT drives diagonally like a crab or pushes its rear end into the gap at right angles to the direction of travel. Just like that. If necessary, it turns on the spot! Yes, this may put a bit of stress on the tires, but the neighbor has never seen anything like it.
The Z9GT turns on the spot
There is even more than enough space in the five-door («Shooting Brake» as Denza calls it), we can easily stretch our legs in the back. The air suspension irons out bad roads with ease or, depending on the mode, focuses on effortless cornering. The Z9GT feels more like a Panamera than a Taycan, i.e. a touring car rather than a racer. Everything is also right in terms of quality: top! Even the controls are puzzle-free; in addition to a host of assistance systems and three screens, there are thankfully a few buttons for important things. And when we find a level offset in two interior trim strips, we don't argue about it, but quickly make a note of it. It will probably be corrected soon. Just «China speed».
Sprints off like a bullet
This is because European manufacturers call this Chinese dynamism «China Speed», half in fear and half in admiration. And anyone complaining about a lack of emotion only needs to step on the gas (or high voltage): Three electric motors (one at the front, two at the rear) result in all-wheel drive and 850 kW/1156 hp. Words fail to describe it: Despite weighing in at 2.8 tons despite the large amount of aluminium, the powerful car shoots up to 100 km/h in 2.7 seconds as if launched from a catapult. 270 km/h! I wonder what it costs? For what it offers, it's surprisingly fair: the high-tech demonstration costs from 115,000 Swiss francs with full equipment (e.g. heated and ventilated seats all round), an eight-year or 250,000 kilometer warranty, a pick-up and delivery service and 18 months free charging at the Flash Charger. A few colors, digital exterior mirrors and 21-inch instead of 20-inch wheels are optional: you can't get more than 123,600 francs.
By the way: The Z9GT is also available as a Z9GT DM-i, i.e. plug-in hybrid (570 kW/776 hp, 203 kilometers electric range) from 101,000 Swiss francs, which we have not yet driven. Hm, will anyone buy that? Genesis or Lexus know how difficult the price range is. On the other hand, Audi and Tesla were once nobody either. Our conclusion: The Denza Z9GT is an electric shocker for the competition, and the wonder flounder looks cool to boot. The rest remains to be seen.
Denza with five new products in 2026
A look at the planned model range shows just how serious BYD's luxury subsidiary Denza is about Europe. The D9, a luxury van in the Mercedes Viano league with luxurious individual seats and plug-in hybrid drive (DM-i) from CHF 79,900, was launched at the same time as the Z9GT.
A large luxury SUV, a massive off-roader and the Denza Z EV will follow in 2026: the roadster in Porsche 911 format has the drive system of the Z9GT and speeds to 100 km/h in under two seconds with over 1000 hp. The price? Still open.
