DENZA BAO 5 Makes European Debut at Goodwood

DENZA brought its first SUV to European customers at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a DMO plug-in hybrid BAO 5 that the company reports produces 544PS (400kW) and 56 miles of electric-only range. The BAO 5 pairs a 1.5-liter turbocharged petrol engine with front and rear electric motors under DENZA’s DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) architecture, and DENZA says the SUV covers 0-62mph in as little as 4.8 seconds and returns a WLTP combined range of 537 miles on a full tank and charge. The model joins the Z9GT and D9 DM-i as DENZA, BYD Group’s premium technology-led brand, builds out its UK retail network this year. Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, said the BAO 5’s “sophisticated design, high-quality cabin and advanced DMO plug-in hybrid powertrain make it the perfect choice for buyers who want off-road ability without compromise on interior comforts and technologies.”

Highlights

• DMO plug-in hybrid powertrain combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine with dual electric motors for a combined 544PS (400kW) and 760Nm (561 lb-ft), enough for 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds (Elegance) or 5.0 seconds (Ultimate), DENZA reports
• 31.8kWh Blade Battery delivers 56 miles of WLTP electric-only range and a 537-mile WLTP combined range
• Front and rear intelligent electronic differential locks, plus the Ultimate trim’s DiSus-P body-control system, raise ground clearance to 310mm (12.2 in) and approach/departure angles to 39°/34°
• Cabin includes a 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen — the largest DENZA says is available in a premium SUV — and a Devialet audio system with 16 speakers (Elegance) or 18 (Ultimate)

DMO Powertrain Built for Off-Road Duty

DENZA describes DMO as the world’s first off-road-dedicated hybrid architecture. A longitudinally mounted 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine (150PS/110kW, 177 lb-ft/240Nm) drives what the company calls the world’s first longitudinal electric hybrid system, feeding a 31.8kWh Blade Battery built into the ladder-frame chassis via Cell-to-Chassis integration. The engine’s primary role is generating electricity rather than direct propulsion — DENZA says the front motor contributes 272PS (200kW) and the rear motor 388PS (285kW), for a combined system output of 544PS (400kW) and 760Nm (561 lb-ft) of torque, which the company positions ahead of PHEV rivals and conventional diesel SUVs. The rear motor assembly, tuned for off-road use, is rated by DENZA at up to 5,901 lb-ft (8,000Nm) of wheel-end torque.

Front and rear electronic differential locks respond in milliseconds, and an energy-center lock distributes torque between the axles what DENZA says is 30 times faster than a mechanical differential. The ladder-frame layout lowers the center of gravity versus a conventional ICE SUV and improves lateral stability, and the company reports a minimum turning radius of 19.4 ft (5.9m).

Suspension and Off-Road Capability

Both trims use double-wishbone suspension front and rear; Ultimate adds the DiSus-P intelligent body-control system, which DENZA says draws on more than 20 sensors to continuously adjust damping, reduce impact force by 50%, and deliver up to 5.5 in (140mm) of ride-height adjustment. DiSus-P raises ground clearance by 3.5 in to 12.2 in (90mm to 310mm), and the company reports approach and departure angles of 39° and 34° on Ultimate — five degrees more than Elegance in each case.

Range, Efficiency and Charging

DENZA reports a WLTP electric-only range of 56 miles and a WLTP combined range of 537 miles on a full tank and battery, with weighted fuel consumption of 68.9mpg (26.4mpg with a depleted battery) and CO2 emissions of 30g/km. Standard 11kW AC charging takes the battery from 15%-100% in just over three hours; on a 100kW-minimum DC charger, DENZA says a 30%-80% charge takes 16 minutes.

Cabin Technology

The BAO 5 gives front occupants four screens: a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, a shared 15.6-inch central touchscreen with Google Built-in, and a dedicated passenger display. A four-zone voice assistant covers more than 300 vehicle functions, and Elegance trim carries a 16-speaker Devialet audio system (18 speakers on Ultimate) with headrest speakers. A center-console compartment cools to -6°C to 15°C or heats to 35°-50°C, and both trims support digital-key sharing and remote functions through the DENZA app.

Safety and Trim Levels

DENZA says the BAO 5’s frame uses 96% high-strength steel, cutting frontal-crash intrusion by 30% and side-pole intrusion by 25%, with a roof rated to withstand 12 tonnes of static compression. Standard equipment includes 11 airbags, Intelligent Cruise Control, Front and Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Brake, Lane Keep and Lane Departure Assist, a 360-degree camera and Hill Descent Control. Elegance rides on 18-inch wheels with a panoramic sunroof and heated/ventilated massage front seats; Ultimate adds DiSus-P, 20-inch wheels, ventilated rear seats and a digital rear-view mirror. Exterior colors run to six metallics plus a matte Mineral Purple; cabin colors include Eclipse Blue, Shoal Green and Tarim Desert Beige.

Availability

DENZA stores across Europe begin taking BAO 5 orders this summer, with first deliveries expected in the fourth quarter of 2026. UK pricing has not been announced.

DENZA BAO 5 Specifications

†Source spec table lists this figure under a “km/h” header, but it matches the 112mph figure stated twice in the release’s body text — presented here as mph.

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