Bojan Vrbnjak
Looking at a car like the Denza Z9 GT, it seems that the days of Chinese manufacturers simply copying or reproducing European models for the domestic market (which borders on plagiarism) are long gone.
Today, a large corporation like BYD can afford the "luxury" of producing in China and soon selling in Europe a luxury hatchback that will challenge the Porsche Panamera and the Porsche Taycan in one fell swoop, optionally with a plug-in hybrid or an electric drive with 965 hp . The Denza Z9 GT, which is already sold in China at a base price of just over 42.500 euros, will be one of the first models of Denza, BYD's luxury brand, on the European market.
Shooting Brake by a European designer
The new derivative of the BYD group looks like a five-door sedan hatchback, something between a station wagon and a stylish Shooting Brake. The dimensions are impressive: the length is 5,19 meters, the width is 1,99 meters and the height is 1,48 meters.
The 3,12 meter wheelbase also helps it look even more imposing than the Panamera. The curvaceous, modern styling was created by former Audi and Alfa Romeo designer Wolfgang Egger, and features some of the details typical of the latest Chinese sedans, such as elongated headlights, retractable door handles and optional camera mirrors.
Five screens and two refrigerators
The interior of the Denza Z9 GT features as many as five screens on the dashboard: one for digital instruments, a larger one for the central infotainment system, a third for the front passenger, and two more screens in the door panels that display images from optional cameras instead of rearview mirrors.
The front passenger seat also has a zero-gravity mode with a footrest, and one of the most impressive features is the vehicle's dual cooler. The front refrigerator between the two seats has a capacity of 4 liters, and the rear one has a capacity of 10 liters.
870 hp for the plug-in hybrid, 965 hp for the electric drive
The Denza Z9 GT is available in China in two versions: as a plug-in hybrid and with an electric drive. The PHEV is based on the e3 platform and the fifth generation DM hybrid system. The 2,0-liter gasoline engine has 207 hp and, together with three electric motors, provides a total power of 870 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 is 3,6 seconds, and the LFP battery with a capacity of 38,5 kWh allows an electric range of up to 201 km in the CLTC cycle, and the total range is 1.100 km.
Characterized by a front end with reduced air intakes, the electric Denza Z9 GT is based on the 3.0 Evo e-platform with three engines and a total output of 965 hp. Acceleration from 0 to 100 is 3,4 seconds, and the battery with a capacity of 100,1 kWh offers a CLTC range of 630 km.
