BYD is set to unveil its premium sub-brand Denza in India by the end of 2026, with two electrified performance cars leading the charge. First details trickle out about the Z9 GT supercar and the D9 luxury MPV, which will enter the Indian market as fully developed vehicles targeting the top end of the premium EV segment. The Denza Z9 GT is a striking fastback that blends every-day practicality with supercar-esque performance, while the D9 is set to bring the luxury MPV segment into the limelight. The Z9 GT will enter the Indian market as a purely electric performance car with a three-motor powertrain good for 1,156 horsepower, while the D9 will bring its own share of innovation and luxury. We take a closer look at the details surrounding the launch of the two vehicles.
The Denza Z9 GT is a high-performance shooting-brake cross between a four-door sports car and a family saloon. With power drawn from a single front and two rear-mounted electric motors, the Z9 GT promises to deliver a combined 1,156 horsepower and 1,420 Nm of torque. On the road, this power is good for a 0-100 km/h sprint figure of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 270 km/h, despite the car weighing nearly 2.9 tonnes when dry. A 122.5 kWh battery pack delivers a claimed WLTP range of 600 km on a full charge, while the Flash ultra-fast charging technology allows the car to charge from 10 to 97 percent in just nine minutes. At the same time, the Z9 GT promises to offer a smorgasbord of tech features including rear-wheel steering with crab walk functionality, multiple displays throughout the cabin, cell-to-body construction and L2+-level driver assistance. It is expected to cost between Rs 1.2 – 1.5 crore in India.
The D9, on the other hand, is a luxury multi-purpose vehicle and will see the introduction of the sub-brand in India. The electric front-wheel-drive model will feature a single motor producing 313 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque, with the company claiming a WLTP range of 520 km on a full charge. Meanwhile, the 103 kWh blade battery pack will enable up to 200 kW of DC fast-charging. Inside, the D9 is expected to provide seating for seven in a 2-2-3 arrangement, with the two captain’s seats in the second row offering executive-grade climate control, massage, ventilation and seat adjustment. It is expected to be priced at around Rs 80 lakh, making it more expensive than the MG M9 but cheaper than the petrol-engined Toyota Vellfire.
When it comes to distribution, Denza is expected to focus on big cities like Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, with showrooms dedicated to ultra-luxury vehicles. As such, they are unlikely to share space with other BYD dealerships, which also highlights the brand’s intent to appeal to a different customer base than the mainstream Chinese automaker. With the introduction of ultra-high-performance vehicles like the Z9 GT and the luxury-oriented D9, it is safe to assume that the premium sub-brand is set to disrupt the local premium EV market.