Denza Z9 GT - Chinese car wants to compete with Porsche Panamera

THE GERMAN Z9 GT was introduced to European customers, targeting the German model with capabilities including both plug-in hybrid and pure electric versions.

Denza brought the Z9 GT to Germany as a step to survey customer opinions before officially bringing the product to business this year. Before that, this model will launch in China, at the Beijing auto show on April 25.

Established in 2010, Denza is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes with shares of both sides being 50:50. In particular, BYD is responsible for the technology, while Mercedes creates the style. However, the car did not sell well, and Mercedes reduced its stake to 10% in 2021. After the German partner almost withdrew from the joint venture, BYD renewed the Denza product range. Currently this brand sells the D9 minivan, N7 and N8 crossover models.

Denza Z9 GT in Berlin, Germany. Photo: Denza

The latest product to launch is the Z9 GT. The vehicle was first spotted in fall 2023 near BYD's headquarters in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. Then Denza announced information about the new car model, saying it would be sold in many different markets.

Denza also shared images of the Z9 GT on its social network account, saying the car has been tested and displayed in Europe but still wears camouflage on the body. The overall design belongs to the shooting brake line - a car line that is usually longer than usual and blends between a 4-door coupe and a wagon.

Denza even placed the Z9 GT next to the Porsche Panamera and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso supercar for comparison. It can be seen that the Z9 has the same size as the German car model. Panamera's parameters are length x width x height respectively 5,049 x 1,937 x 1,427 mm and wheelbase 2,950 mm.

Denza places the Z9 GT (center) next to the Porsche Panamera (left) and Ferrari GTC4Lusso. Photo: Denza

There is currently no information about the powertrain of the Denza Z9 GT. However, the car was once called a PHEV - plug-in hybrid model. The company's CEO, Zhao Changjiang, once said that the Z9 GT passed a 90 km/h zig zag road test, emphasizing that the Z9 surpasses both the Panamera and S-class in terms of interior space, comfort and capability. acceleration.

After its debut at the Beijing auto show on April 25, the Z9 GT is expected to go on sale in China this year before coming to Europe. The car can also have a sedan version.

Denza N7 - electric car with two fast charging ports at the same time
CHINA The electric car model of BYD's high-end brand has something that all competitors do not have, which is the ability to use two fast charging ports at the same time.

The Denza brand is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes, in which the Chinese automaker holds 90% of the shares, and the remaining 10% belongs to the German company. The N7 model is positioned in the premium electric crossover segment, with competitors such as the Nio ES6 and Li L7.

Normally, manufacturers emphasize charging time and charge level, but Denza impresses and even debates its unique charging style when the N7 has two charging ports - a feature no other electric car model has. owned in the world today.

Denza N7 can use two charging ports at the same time. Photo: BYD

Equipped with two DC fast charging ports, N7 can plug in two chargers at the same time. If single-port charging mode is selected, the maximum charging power is 150 kW, and with the second charger plugged in, the power is 230 kW. And when using two chargers at the same time, Denza N7 can run an additional 350 km with just 15 minutes of charging, or 100 km in just 4 minutes of charging.

But because it can use two charging ports at the same time, the N7 can cause discontent and even conflict at crowded charging stations.

Denza N7 is developed on a customized BYD e-Platform 3.0 platform, with a 91.3 kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery pack. The rear-wheel drive version has a range of 702 km per charge, while the 4-wheel drive version has a range of 630 km.

The exterior design of the N7 also attracted attention with mixed opinions. The overall look is sporty, but some details confuse many people. The daytime lights are L letters layered into a long strip in a boomerang shape that extends from the bumper up close to the headlight cluster. Fastback-style swept-back rear glass, retractable door handles.

The central screen is 17.3 inches, the digital clock is 10.21 inches and the entertainment screen on the side of the driver's seat is 10.25 inches. Photo: BYD

The N7's luggage space is 480 liters with the rear seats in use, and increases to 1,200 liters with the rear seats folded flat. This size is not outstanding in the segment, but more compact luggage space also means passengers have more comfort. However, the N7 also has a front trunk with a capacity of 73 liters.

The interior has birch wood paneling, some metal details, and silver plastic surfaces. The central screen is 17.3 inches and the digital clock is 10.21 inches, while the auxiliary driver's side entertainment screen is 10.25 inches. The car is equipped with high technology with 5G connection, wireless charging, information display on the head-up display (HUD), aroma system, and 16-speaker Devialet sound system - a French audio brand.

The high-end Denza N7 is equipped with 33 sensors around the car, including lidar sensors, millimeter wave radar, and an Nvidia Orin chip, along with two 8 MP cameras.

In the Chinese market, the Denza N7 rear-wheel drive version costs 42,000-44,500 USD, while the 4-wheel drive version is 45,000-53,000 USD.