The Chinese luxury brand BYD has unveiled the world's longest-range fully electric vehicle, the Denza Z9 GT, with a staggering CLTC range of 1,036 km on a single charge. This impressive feat surpasses its current model by an astonishing 64% improvement. The new Z9 GT boasts a massive central touchscreen and advanced ADAS features like Navigate on Autopilot and Automatic Emergency Steering.
BYD's luxury brand Denza has been teasing the all-new Z9 GT, a high-performance luxury electric shooting brake, with a first look at its social media post. The updated model will be available in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle powertrains, offering an impressive range of over 400 km on a single charge for the PHEV version.
The new Denza Z9 GT features a length of 5,195 mm, a width of 1,990 mm, and a height of 1,480 mm, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm. Its size is comparable to that of the Porsche Panamera, making it a formidable competitor in the luxury EV segment.
The updated model will be equipped with BYD's God's Eye 5.0 system, which provides advanced ADAS features like Navigate on Autopilot and Automatic Emergency Steering. The single-motor variant features a rear-mounted electric motor with 370 kW (496 hp), while the tri-motor model packs a combined 850 kW (1,140 hp).
BYD will reveal prices closer to launch, but the current Denza Z9 GT EV starts at 354,800 yuan ($51,700) in China. The brand plans to launch Denza in Europe and the UK this year to challenge Porsche, BMW, and other domestic luxury brands.
The Denza Z9 GT will debut on March 5 during BYD's 'disruptive technology' event, where it's expected to showcase its new BYD Blade 2.0 battery, megawatt ultra-fast charging system, and advanced ADAS features. Recent social media posts claim the updated model was spotted charging at BYD's new 1,500 kW flash charger ahead of its debut.
While the Denza Z9 GT boasts an impressive range, it's essential to note that this is on the CLTC rating scale. On the WLTP scale, its range would be closer to about 900 km (559 miles). Nevertheless, a range of over 1,000 km on a single charge is still an impressive feat for a production electric vehicle.
The introduction of more efficient, longer-range electric vehicles is transforming the EV market. As new battery, powertrain, and other EV tech continue to advance, EVs are becoming more efficient, safer, and faster to charge. It's exciting to think about what they will be capable of in another 5 or 10 years.
The Denza Z9 GT is not the only contender in the luxury EV segment. Other manufacturers like Mercedes EQXX and Lucid Air Grand Touring have achieved impressive ranges with innovative technologies like solar panels on the roof. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect even more exciting developments in the world of electric vehicles.
