The Denza Z9 Is Not Just a Z9GT With a Trunk
Image Credit: BYD.
The world of Chinese electric vehicles - an interesting place for sure. Full of weird and wonderful contraptions that occasionally spun something actually good. And no, I'm not talking about those tiny electric cars that look like they were designed for garden gnomes. I'm talking about the Denza Z9. A brand-spanking-new sedan that's aiming to take on the big boys.
Denza who? Denza is just another brand from BYD, a Chinese electric vehicle giant that's been spreading its wings in the industry. They've basically taken all their fancy tech, sprinkled in a bit of luxury, and voilà, you've got Denza.
So, what's the Z9 all about? Well, it's a D-class sedan, which means it's roughly the size of a BMW i5 Series or a Mercedes-Benz EQS. But unlike those German stalwarts, the Z9 comes in two flavors: plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery electric (BEV).
Let's start with the PHEV. This bad boy packs a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and three electric motors, giving it a combined output of - wait for it - 858 horsepower. That's enough to propel this hefty sedan from 0 to 62 mph in a respectable 3.6 seconds. But the real kicker is the fuel economy. Denza claims the Z9 PHEV can achieve a combined range of 685 miles on a full tank of gas and a fully charged 38.5 kWh battery. Now, I'm not sure how they managed to pull that off, but if it's even remotely close to the truth, then I'm very impressed.
Image Credit: BYD.
Now, for the BEV. This one ditches the gas engine and relies solely on electric power. It's got three electric motors as well, but here they produce a combined output of a rather alarming 952 horsepower. That's enough to launch the Z9 BEV from 0 to 62 mph in a blistering 3.4 seconds. And with a 100 kWh battery pack, it can travel up to 391 miles on a single charge. Not too shabby for a barge that tips the scales at 6,338 pounds.
Performance aside, the Z9 is also packed with all the latest tech. That includes BYD's e3 technology, which is basically a scaled-down version of the e4 technology found in their ultra-luxury cars. This means you get features like a tri-motor independent drive and independent steering at the rear wheels. What does it mean in plain English? It means this car can handle like a dream and park itself with the grace of a ballerina.
Inside, the Z9 is a haven of luxury. You've got Nappa leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, and a massive touchscreen infotainment system. And if that's not enough, you can even opt for a massage function in the front seats.
But here's the best part: the price. The Z9 starts at just over $46,000 at current exchange rates, which is significantly less than its German rivals. And even the top-of-the-line model comes in at around $58,000. That's a lot of a car for the money. Sure, for now, it's only available in China, and the prices out there are plain silly, but this one is apparently making its way to Europe. And, depending on the room temperature in the White House, maybe even to sunny California.
So, the verdict? Well, I'm not going to lie; I'm pretty darn impressed with the Denza Z9. It's got the looks, the performance, the tech, and the price to make it a serious contender in the luxury sedan market. All we need now is China to set it free. Oh, did I mention nearly 1,000 horsepower? In a luxo barge? Yeah, I did.
