DENZA, the premium brand under BYD Group, has officially launched the Z9GT shooting brake in Europe. The flagship model debuted at the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris on April 8. It arrives in both all-electric and plug-in hybrid configurations, built on a platform developed exclusively for the brand.
Highlights
- Flash Charging capability: The Z9GT can charge from 10% to 97% in nine minutes using BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and Flash Charging stations rated up to 1,500 kW (Chinese market connector).
- Tri-motor EV powertrain: The all-electric version produces 1,156 PS (850 kW), accelerates from 0–62 mph in 2.7 seconds, and offers an estimated 372 miles of WLTP range.
- Super Hybrid DM option: A plug-in hybrid variant pairs three electric motors with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine for a combined estimated range of up to 500 miles.
- European pricing and availability: The Z9GT starts at approximately €115,000 (roughly $134,550 USD), with sales beginning in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK in the coming weeks.
Flash Charging and Second-Generation Blade Battery
At the center of the Z9GT’s proposition is BYD’s Flash Charging system. The technology can deliver up to 1,500 kW through a single connector on the Chinese market. European charging specifications via the CCS2 standard have not been confirmed, though earlier reports indicated BYD was targeting 1,000 kW per cable for the European rollout.
Charging times are as follows:
- 10%–70%: Five minutes
- 10%–97%: Nine minutes
- 20%–97% at -30°C: Twelve minutes
The system is paired with BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery, which uses lithium iron phosphate (LFP) chemistry. BYD said it resolved the traditional trade-off between fast charging and energy density, achieving a 5% increase in energy density while significantly boosting charging speed.
Three core innovations underpin the battery’s performance. The “Flash-Release” cathode uses a multi-level particle architecture for rapid deintercalation. The “Flash-Flow” electrolyte leverages AI-driven optimization for high ionic conductivity. Additionally, the “Flash-Intercalate” anode features a 3D lithium-ion intercalation design for faster charging.
BYD said the second-generation Blade Battery passed a simultaneous Flash Charging and nail-penetration test with no thermal runaway, smoke, or fire after 500 charging cycles. It also passed a forced short circuit test involving four cells at temperatures exceeding 700°C. Compared with the original Blade Battery, overall capacity degradation is reduced by 2.5%, according to the company.
e3 Platform and Powertrain Options
The Z9GT is built on the e3 platform, developed specifically for DENZA. The platform supports five core technologies: three-motor independent drive, rear-wheel dual-motor independent steering, Vehicle Motion Control (VMC), Cell-to-Body (CTB) battery integration, and DiSus-A dual-chamber air suspension.
All-Electric EV
The tri-motor EV version produces a combined 1,156 PS (850 kW). The front motor delivers 313 PS (230 kW), while each rear motor produces 422 PS (310 kW). The result is a 0–62 mph time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 167 mph.
The EV carries a 122.49-kWh second-generation Blade Battery. DENZA estimates 372 miles of range under the WLTP Combined cycle. A rear-wheel-drive variant is expected before the end of 2026, with an estimated range of up to 500 miles.
Super Hybrid DM
The plug-in hybrid version adds a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine to the tri-motor layout. The petrol engine produces 173 PS (127 kW) and serves primarily as a battery charger. Total system output reaches 776 PS (570 kW).
The DM carries a 63.82-kWh Blade Battery, offering an estimated 126 miles of electric-only range. With a full charge and full tank, DENZA claims a combined range of up to 500 miles. Acceleration from 0–62 mph takes 3.6 seconds, with a top speed of 161 mph.
Notably, DENZA said the Z9GT DM is the first plug-in hybrid to use Cell-to-Body construction, matching its all-electric counterpart. Flash Charging is also available on the DM variant, with the same charging times as the EV.
Vehicle Motion Control and Rear-Wheel Steering
VMC acts as a central control hub, managing braking, suspension, and steering actuators with a signal-transmission time as low as 10 milliseconds. DENZA said this response speed allows the system to detect and respond to situations like high-speed tire blowouts at speeds up to 112 mph.
The Z9GT features dual independent rear-steering motors, one per rear wheel. These enable three distinct modes:
- Same-direction turning: Rear wheels turn opposite to front wheels, reducing the turning radius. They can also match the front wheel angle for lateral “crab walking” at up to 8.5 degrees.
- Toe-in rotation: Both rear wheels angle inward to improve braking stability.
- Toe-out rotation: Rear wheels pivot outward, enabling a minimum turning radius of just 5.35 meters — comparable to many compact hatchbacks despite the Z9GT’s 5,180 mm (EV) or 5,195 mm (DM) body length.
Cell-to-Body Construction
CTB integrates the battery into the vehicle’s body structure. The passenger compartment floor serves as the top of the battery pack, saving vertical space. DENZA said CTB increases torsional rigidity by 32% and reduces intrusion rates in front-crash and side-pole crash tests by 15% and 35%, respectively.
Interior and Technology
The Z9GT’s flat-floor architecture creates what DENZA describes as limousine-level cabin space. Premium materials include fine-grain leather and light-smoked wood trim, complemented by multicolor ambient lighting.
Key interior features include:
- 17.3-inch central display with Google-integrated navigation and an AI-powered digital assistant
- Dual 13.2-inch screens for driver instrumentation and front-passenger entertainment
- 50-inch augmented-reality head-up display
- Optional digital side mirrors with high-definition door-mounted screens
- 20-speaker, 1,150 W Devialet sound system with Dolby Atmos spatial audio
- Front seats with eight-way electric adjustment, 10-point massage, ventilation, heating, and air-suspension-linked active side bolsters
- Rear seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and extended leg rests
Additional amenities include a refrigeration compartment cooled to -6°C, four-zone climate control, a panoramic glass roof with sunshade, and three 50 W wireless charging pads.
Exterior Design
Design Director Wolfgang Egger led the Z9GT’s exterior development. The shooting brake body draws on a silk-inspired surfacing philosophy.
Wolfgang Egger said: “Take a sculpture, or a vehicle like the DENZA Z9GT, and cover it in silk. Then take the same item and cover it with cotton, and you will see something very different. The silk falls naturally and covers the body but still shows, under the surface, the beauty of what is already there.”
Active air-cooling vents in the front maximize aerodynamic efficiency. At the rear, a single-piece suspended spoiler extends the roofline, while a retractable tail wing functions as a lower spoiler. Both work with the air suspension to lower the car at speed.
Pricing, Availability, and Launch Offers
The Z9GT launches in a single, fully equipped trim level in both EV and DM configurations. European pricing starts at approximately €115,000 (roughly $134,550 USD). UK-specific pricing has not been confirmed.
Sales will begin in the coming weeks through newly established DENZA stores in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the UK. Additional markets will follow in the second half of 2026. The brand plans to cover more than 30 European countries and establish over 150 retail locations by year-end.
All Z9GT purchases include one year of complimentary Flash Charging. Orders placed before the end of September 2026 receive an additional six months, for a total of 18 months of free charging.
Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, said: “The Z9GT represents the true spirit of DENZA — where advanced technology, beautiful design and emotional driving come together. That makes it the perfect model to lead the brand as we extend its reach beyond China, starting with Europe. Delivering the promise of ‘Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3’ will make the Z9GT the car that breaks down the final barriers of electrification for premium customers.”
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