Denza is preparing to take its fight to established European luxury brands with the Z9GT, a five-metre-long electric grand tourer packing enormous power, a huge battery and stellar charging technology – but it can’t quite match rivals like Porsche for refinement and elegance.

Owned by Chinese giant BYD, Denza is positioning the Z9GT against premium performance models such as the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo and Audi RS e-tron GT. An all-electric model leads the charge, while a plug-in hybrid version broadens the line-up.

Teal BMW Denza SUV driving away on a countryside road, rear three-quarter view with motion blur behind it.
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The electric Z9GT uses three motors – one at the front and two at the rear – producing around 850kW and 1210Nm. That gives the near-three-tonne machine startling straight-line performance despite its size. A plug-in hybrid combines three electric motors with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, producing approximately 578kW and 1035Nm. The petrol engine primarily acts as a generator at lower speeds, only driving the front wheels directly above roughly 97km/h.

While the numbers suggest supercar performance, the Z9GT has been tuned more as a comfortable long-distance cruiser than a corner-carving sports car. Its standard dual-chamber air suspension offers adjustable ride height and stiffness, while electronic chassis systems work to control body movements. Even so, its considerable mass becomes apparent when pushed hard, with noticeable pitching under acceleration and a brake pedal requiring substantial pressure during enthusiastic driving.

The Z9GT is more convincing when driven smoothly. Ride comfort is generally impressive and large bumps are handled well, although some road noise can make its way into the cabin at higher speeds.

Its size is disguised around town by rear-wheel steering of up to 8.5 degrees, giving it a surprisingly tight turning circle for a vehicle that’s 5.2 metres long. It can also perform a pivot-style turn and move diagonally using a crab-walk function.

Luxurious car interior with a large center touchscreen, digital dash, and black leather seats with yellow stitching.
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The headline technology, however, is its electrical architecture. The EV uses a 122.4kWh second-generation BYD Blade Battery and has a claimed range of about 599km.

Denza’s Flash Charging technology is designed to deal with exceptionally high charging rates, with compatible chargers capable of delivering up to 1500kW. The company claims the battery can be replenished from 10 to 70 per cent in just five minutes, or from 20 to 97 per cent in nine minutes. A less powerful single-motor version is also planned, potentially offering greater range and a lower entry price.

Inside, the Z9GT makes a determined push into luxury territory. Electric doors, massaging and heated seats, a refrigerator, electrically folding rear seats and a passenger display are all available. A 17.3-inch central touchscreen dominates the dashboard, but packing so many vehicle functions into the display can make it fiddly to operate while driving.

Driver seated in a modern car interior with a large touchscreen infotainment display and digital dashboard as they drive on a highway
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Rear legroom is generous thanks to the 3.1-metre wheelbase, but headroom and overall luggage-carrying practicality don’t quite match more conventional luxury wagons. Safety equipment includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centring and technology designed to maintain stability following a high-speed tyre failure.

The Z9GT has yet to receive an ANCAP safety rating, and Australian pricing and launch timing remain unconfirmed. Overseas pricing suggests Denza is targeting the premium end of the market, making the Z9GT as much a technological showcase for BYD as it is a new luxury grand tourer.