After challenging Alphard, BYD’s Denza sets its sights on Porsche and Tesla with the Denza Z9 GT

I looked closer at one of the pair of Denza Z9 GTs lined up for the media contingent from Malaysia and Indonesia. The tyres were shredded and yet the chief driving instructor assured us that it was still fine to drive around the small course provided.

In this makeshift track laid out of cones located close to a harbour that was a 2-hour drive from our hotel in Shenzhen, we had a brief encounter with the latest excitement from BYD’s luxury sub-brand.

Exciting is possibly the right word to describe Denza’s third model following its post-Mercedes-Benz breakup/revamp. The tyre-shredding stunt was caused by one of the instructors who admitted to being too excited behind the wheel prior to our arrival.

The Z9 GT is Denza’s newest addition to the current lineup in China and it will be introduced overseas with European markets confirmed during its debut. While it might still be early to tell if right-hand drive (RHD) markets are on the cards, Denza gave us the opportunity to sample this cut-price Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S rival while we were in China.

European flair, made in Shenzhen

If the Denza D9 was designed to appeal to Chinese consumers, the Z9 aims to attract Europeans. The Z9 GT’s 5-door shooting brake design has a European flair that resembles a Porsche Panamera from the side and rear profiles. The standard Z9 4-door sedan was also announced but wasn’t available for view when we were there.

Debuting at Auto China 2024 in Beijing, the Denza Z9 is the first saloon-based model to be built on the e3 platform. Penned by BYD’s Chief Designer, ex-Audi’s Wolfgang Egger, Denza calls this direction “Elegance in Motion” and the Z9 GT received over 5,000 orders within 36 hours of its launch in September.

On 20 January 2025, BYD announced that the 10,000th Denza Z9 GT was successfully delivered, making it the fastest new energy (a Chinese term for electrified vehicles) luxury GT model to reach this delivery milestone in China.

Five all-wheel drive (AWD) variants of the Z9 GT are offered in China consisting of three plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and two fully electric (BEV) variants:

• 1100 Pro PHEV – CNY 334,800 (~RM 204k)
• 1100 Max PHEV – CNY 364,800 (~RM 222k)
• 1100 Ultra PHEV – CNY 414,800 (~RM 252k)
• 630 Pro BEV – CNY 354,800 (~RM 216k)
• 630 Max BEV – CNY 384,800 (~RM 234k)

The PHEV variants are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine (203 PS/325 Nm) and three electric motors – one on the front axle and two on each rear wheel. Combined, the system generates 870 PS with a claimed 0-100 km/h time of 3.6 seconds.

Still, the Z9 GT PHEV has a claimed pure electric range of 201 km and a combined total range of 1,100 km under the optimistic CLTC driving cycle. It is what those numbers on the variants stand for, weirdly. Even with the 38.5 kWh battery running empty, the shooting brake has a claimed fuel consumption of 5.6 L/100 km.

Meanwhile, the BEV – which has a greater chance of entering Malaysia unless incentives are made to also favour PHEVs – has more tyre-shredding numbers. With the engine removed from the equation, the trio of motors produce a combined maximum output of 965 PS/1,150 Nm!

This propels the Z9 GT BEV to 100 km/h from rest in a slightly faster time of 3.4 seconds. All variants of the electric shooting brake are juiced up by a 100-kWh battery with a CLTC-rated range of 630 km which, like the PHEV, is proudly proclaimed on the variants’ names.

Advanced tech

According to Alex Ai, Denza’s Chief of Development, the e3 platform has over 600 patents and it took only 3 years for the Z9 GT to go from concept to production which is a fairly short time for new car development.

The technology he and his team are most proud of is the shooting brake’s independent electric motors on each of the rear wheels. This allows the car to have flexible control and independent rear-wheel steering which can go in the same direction, turn inwards, or outwards.

Not only does it help in reducing the 5,180 mm car’s turning radius and stabilise in corners, but it also allows for easier parallel parking manoeuvres and tight situations as demonstrated in the video above.

In moose tests performed by various Chinese media, the Z9 GT also achieved a new speed record of up to 93.62 km/h. By comparison, the fastest set by Sweden’s Teknikens Värld magazine which introduced the moose test was the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS which recorded 86 km/h.

In the event of a high-speed blowout, Denza claims that the technology helps the Z9 GT to remain stable even at speeds of up to 140 km/h. This is aided by milliseconds-tier corresponding adjustments of wheel-end torque to keep the body stable.

Grand but not graceful

The units available at our disposal were the PHEV variants and we were only behind the wheel at a small, closed circuit, away from public road users. Hence, this brief drive would not account for proper review as it was merely to demonstrate its technological capabilities and handling prowess in a controlled environment.

While the Z9 GT PHEV goes fast on the straights, this grand tourer feels less agile like a Porsche and more like a heavy muscle car when introduced to the corners.

Heavy is what the Z9 GT is as the PHEV variant tips the scale at nearly 2.9 tonnes which makes the 2.3-tonne Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo feel light in comparison. In our small course, taming this shooting brake around the corners feels less like a roller coaster and more like a bumper car with heavy steering input but perhaps this temp track couldn’t do much justice to the Z9’s handling.

Indeed, it is likely that the Z9 GT would be more comfortable on long sweeping roads than on a track circuit. After all, the grand tourer tag isn’t just in the shooting brake’s name but its main intent despite those rubber-disintegrating figures.

Among the features available for the Z9 GT in China include massaging front and rear Nappa leather seats, a pair of fridges for the front and rear passengers, a 26-speaker Devialet sound system, and automatic doors that close at the push of a button or through voice command.

So, even if the figures give Porsche, Tesla, or even supercar brands like Lamborghini and Ferrari a run for their money, the features would most likely persuade customers who are thinking about getting a Mercedes-Benz or BMW. In fact, the two German giants should be afraid because the materials used on the Z9 GT are on par with an S-Class or 7 Series.

It could even be priced much lower than the Teutonic flagships though it is worth pointing out that PHEVs and BEVs are heavily subsidised in China. Still, the Denza Z9 GT exhibits plenty of potential but BYD’s lips are sealed on the chances of the model making it to right-hand drive (RHD) markets.

BYD Malaysia will be launching Denza here this week with the Denza D9 electric MPV as its first model. The Alphard-size luxury MPV will be fully imported (CBU) from China and offered in two variants – Advanced FWD and Premium AWD. Booking orders are open and if you’re wondering how the D9 fares, check out our quick backseat review here.