A shock preview on the paultan.org Premium Auto Automotive Expo (PACE) is the Denza Z9 GTwhich is being opened to the general public for the primary time. Officers on the present say that the automobile, first seen on the launch of the D9 MPV earlier this yr, is deliberate to be launched in Malaysia within the first half of subsequent yr.
The Z9 serves because the flagship of BYD’s premium model, and the GT is the taking pictures brake model; a sedan can be accessible in China. Its closest rival is the Zeekr 001 that’s not supplied in Malaysia; its pure competitor right here is as an alternative the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismothe one electrical wagon being offered on our shores.
In China, the Z9 GT is on the market in full electrical and plug-in hybrid variants. The previous, which this left-hand-drive preview instance is, makes use of three motors – a single motor on the entrance making 313 PS (230 kW) and 430 Nm of torque and two motors on the rear, every churning out 326 PS (240 kW) and 360 Nm.
Collectively they make a whopping 965 PS (710 kW) and 1,150 Nm, propelling the automobile from zero to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. A 100 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery gives a spread of 630 km on China’s CLTC cycle and helps as much as 270 kW of DC quick charging, topping the pack from 30 to 80% in 19 minutes.
In the meantime, the PHEV has barely much less highly effective motors making 272 PS (200 kW) and 315 Nm on the entrance and 299 PS (220 kW) every on the rear, resulting in a complete system output of 870 PS (640 kW) and 1,035 Nm. As such, the automobile is marginally slower to finish the century dash, taking 3.6 seconds.
A 207 PS/325 Nm 2.0 litre turbo four-cylinder serves as a generator, serving to to juice the motors and cost the 38.5 kWh LFP battery. The automobile has a pure electrical vary of 201 km, contributing to a complete vary of 1,101 km. With a DC charging capability of 82 kW, it too will cost from 30 to 80% in 19 minutes.
Being the cream of the Denza crop, the Z9 GT is packed filled with options, coming as normal with DiSus-C adaptive dampers; DiSus-A air suspension is non-obligatory (normal on the electrical model) and makes use of the entrance digital camera to scan the street forward for any imperfections. You additionally rise up to fifteen levels of rear-wheel steering, and mixed with the torque-vectoring twin rear motors it permits the automobile to crab side-to-side and even swivel into tight parking areas.
On the surface, the Z9 GT cuts a particular determine, lengthy and low and with options similar to dual-bar headlights, entrance wheel effectively vents reduce into the doorways, a break up rear prime spoiler with double vertical brake lights, an energetic decrease spoiler, a big rear diffuser and wide-set taillights. The latter will get spindle-shaped graphics mirroring the Denza brand, that are additionally fitted on the C-pillars.
Whichever means you slice it, the Z9 GT is big – measuring 5,180 mm lengthy, 1,990 mm broad and 1,480 mm tall, it’s 203 mm longer than the 001 however 9 millimetres narrower and 65 mm decrease, whereas its 3,125 mm wheelbase is 120 mm longer.
Subsequent to the Taycan Cross Turismo, the Denza is 206 mm longer, 23 mm wider and 71 mm taller and has a 221 mm longer wheelbase. The preview unit rides on 20-inch two-tone alloy wheels with aero fairings (different choices can be found, after all), wrapped in Goodyear ElectricDrive Uneven 5 tyres.
Step inside by the powered doorways and the tech-forward presentation continues, with a minimum of three screens – a 13.2-inch digital instrument show, a 17.3-inch “floating” infotainment touchscreen and one other 13.2-inch show for the entrance passenger. An augmented-reality head-up show can be fitted, as is generative AI-based voice management.
Decrease down, the centre console homes twin 50-watt Qi wi-fi chargers and a crystal gear selector. Beneath the armrest is a heated and cooled fridge, which can be fitted on the rear, making the Z9 the primary mass-produced automobile to have entrance and rear fridges.
Elsewhere, the entrance seats include 12-way energy adjustment, reminiscence, built-in ottomans and a one-touch “zero gravity” recline perform. The rear seats are additionally powered, and all 4 get heating, air flow and ten-point therapeutic massage. Befitting such a fancy automobile, the cabin is absolutely trimmed in leather-based with real wooden trim.
Different options embody four-zone auto aircon, power-adjustable entrance air vents, a rear touchscreen behind the centre console, a panoramic glass roof, a 20-speaker Devialet sound system and a 6 kW vehicle-to-load (V2L) perform. The powered tailgate opens to disclose a 488 litre boot, with the electrical mannequin additionally getting a 53 litre entrance boot.
In China, the Z9 GT comes with BYD’s top-of-the-line God’s Eye A (DiPilot 300) suite of driver assists, with a roof-mounted lidar sensor offering highly-automated metropolis and freeway driving. Don’t anticipate this to seem in Malaysia, nonetheless, with world markets possible getting the same old Stage 2 semi-autonomy.
The 2026 launch window signifies that except it’s CKD assembled regionally, the Z9 GT will possible miss out on the import and excise obligation exemptions at the moment afforded to CBU fully-imported EVs. As such, anticipate the automobile to command a major value premium, particularly given this automobile’s high-end standing.
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