Denza Z9 GT gains up to 1,036 km of range and 1,156 hp

Denza Z9 GT only arrived in Europe recently, yet BYD’s premium brand is already updating the model for its home market. It remains offered in two forms - fully electric and plug-in hybrid - but now brings substantial gains in range and performance.

The electric variant can now be specified with a 122.5 kWh battery, replacing the previous 101.1 kWh unit, as well as a 102.3 kWh pack. The result? Up to 1,036 km of range (820 km with the smaller battery), with BYD presenting the Denza Z9 GT as the world’s longest-range electric car.

There are two caveats, however. First, the quoted range figure uses the CLTC cycle; a WLTP figure, the standard used in Europe, has not yet been released. At present, the longest-range electric vehicle on the WLTP cycle is the Lucid Air Touring, which claims 960 km on the combined cycle. It is also necessary to clarify which electric Z9 actually has the greatest range, as data published by the MIIT (China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) indicates that one Z9 surpasses the Z9 GT: 1,068 km versus 1,036 km.

What else has changed on the Denza Z9 GT?

As well as the larger battery and added range, the Denza Z9 GT has gained power. The tri-motor version - with one motor at the front and two at the rear - now produces 850 kW (1,156 hp), compared with 710 kW (965 hp) previously, an increase of 189 hp. There is also a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive version producing 370 kW (503 hp). Top speed is 270 km/h for the all-wheel-drive model and 240 km/h for the rear-wheel-drive version.

The plug-in hybrid Z9 GT has received a 63.8 kWh battery, almost twice the former capacity, providing up to 400 km of electric-only range on the CLTC cycle. This variant pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine producing 207 hp with three electric motors, for a combined output of 640 kW (870 hp) and a top speed of 230 km/h.

In terms of size, the Z9 GT is virtually unchanged: it measures 5,180 mm long (5,195 mm for the hybrid version), 1,990 mm wide, 1,480 mm high, and has a 3,125 mm wheelbase.

Technology in abundance

The updated Z9 and Z9 GT retain an extensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, promising Level 2+ semi-autonomous driving: LiDAR, 360° cameras, facial recognition, and short- and long-range radars. As before, they continue to feature electronically controlled air suspension, an autonomous parking mode, and automatic doors.

When will it arrive?

The Z9 and Z9 GT have now been unveiled in China, although it is not yet known when they will reach Europe. Denza only began operating in Europe last year and is not yet on sale in Portugal.

We were able to see the Z9 GT statically before this update, and it made an impression. Revisit that moment:

Stella Li, BYD’s vice-president, recently said that the brand’s priority is to strengthen its presence in Europe before introducing further marques. “Denza, which previously had links with Mercedes-Benz, is entering certain markets as a premium brand. Yangwang, meanwhile, will have to wait a little longer,” she concluded.