BYD unveiled the record-breaking electric sedan Denza Z9S
Denza, the premium sub-brand of Chinese automotive giant BYD, has officially announced the launch date for its new tech-focused flagship. The large electric sedan Denza Z9S will hit the market on September 23. This new model serves as a slightly more compact alternative to the previously introduced Z9. The company has already opened pre-orders for three trims, priced between 319,800 and 389,800 yuan ($45,700–$55,700).
The main feature of this model lies in its new batteries, which enabled it to set an official world record for longest range among production electric vehicles.
The design of the new model features a coupe-style silhouette. The vehicle’s length is 5090 mm, with a wheelbase of 3025 mm. It comes equipped with a two-level main LED lighting system, pull-out door handles, a roof rack, and an active electric spoiler on the trunk lid.
The interior is upholstered in Nappa leather and suede. The dashboard features three large monitors for the digital cockpit, while the second-row passengers have a separate 7-inch screen in their armrests for controlling climate and seats. A notable feature of the interior is a magnetic panel in front of the passenger for quickly attaching tablets or wireless headphones.
In addition to the main 470-liter trunk, there is an additional front compartment of 120 liters under the hood. Safety is ensured by a reinforced body structure that is 91.1% made up of ultra-strong alloys.
The Denza Z9S offers two types of drive architectures to choose from. The base model is equipped with a single rear electric motor delivering 503 hp/370 kW. The top-tier version features a three-motor all-wheel-drive powertrain with a total output of 1210 hp/890 kW, enabling it to reach 100 km/h in just 2.68 seconds. The flagship sedan is powered by a cutting-edge second-generation BYD Blade Battery lithium-iron-phosphate battery with a capacity of 122.5 kWh, providing a world-record driving range of 1100 km under China’s CLTC standard (891 km per European WLTP standard). Standard features include the e3 technology platform with fully steerable wheels (allowing the rear wheels to turn and reducing the turning radius to 4.75 meters), a crab mode, and an intelligent DiSus-A air suspension system.
"AC" Note
The evolution of world records for range in mass-produced electric vehicles (BEVs) reflects the rapid technological advancements in the battery industry over recent years. For a long time, the standard for range on the market was the American Tesla Model S Long Range version, which, with a 100 kWh battery, offered around 650–710 km of range. The next milestone was set by the American luxury sedan Lucid Air Grand Touring, which, thanks to its low aerodynamic drag of Cd 0.197 and a 112 kWh battery, achieved an EPA-rated range of 830 km. However, it was the Chinese company BYD and its premium brand Denza that brought about a true engineering breakthrough. Initially, the Denza Z9 GT set a record of 1036 km, while the new Denza Z9S improved this figure to 1100 km.
