Look out BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche! Monster 710kW Denza Z9 GT to spearhead BYD luxury brand’s launch Down Under as latest Chinese brand touches down in Australia
BYD’s luxury brand Denza has been locked in for an Australian launch, where it will challenge the likes of Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and, even, Porsche with the arrival of the unhinged 710kW Denza Z9 GT.
Landing here in 2025 alongside fellow BYD-owned Fang Cheng Bao and Yangwang, Denza originally started life as a BYD collaboration with Mercedes-Benz, before the German car maker sold its final 10 percent share last month.
Designed by Wolfgang Egger, who previously worked for Alfa Romeo, Audi and Lamborghini, the X9 GT is a shooting brake in a similar vein to the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo.
Measuring in at 5180mm long, 1990mm wide and 1480mm tall, the Z9 GT is larger in every dimension compared to the Porsche, but despite its size it delivers epic performance courtesy of its triple-motor powertrain that, combined with a 100.1kWH LFP battery, musters a huge 710kW of power.
That’s enough for a 0-100km/h launch of just 3.4 seconds, while the big battery provides for a Chinese CLTC-verified 630km range.
A plug-in hybrid version is also available in some markets that combines three e-motors with a 2.0-litre turbo and smaller 38.5kWh battery to produce 640kW. That can still hurtle from 0-100km/h in just 3.6 seconds, but gets a much shorter 201km EV range on the more lenient CLTC test cycle, although the total range is said to be more than 1100km.
When the Z9 GT rocks up it’s thought the EN and PHEV might be offered in Pre and Max trim, with the PHEV getting an exclusive Ultra model grade. Equipment across all three is generous. The base model coming with 21-inch alloy wheels, rear-wheel steer, a huge infotainment system, digital instrument cluster and passenger screen, wireless charging pads and a large head-up display.
Move up the range and you get air suspension, Nappa leather and a 26-speaker sound system. Top models are said to come with not one but two onboard fridges.
Pricing and Australian specification has yet to be announced, but in China the Z9 GT EV costs
354,800 yuan ($A73,500) for the Pro model and 384,800 yuan ($A80,000) for the Max. The Z9 GT PHEV, meanwhile, it priced from 334,800-414,800 yuan ($A68,000-$A84,000).
As well as the Z9, Denza also sells the D9 people mover and the N7 and N8 SUVs in China, with all three a possibility for our market.
