BYD launched the new Denza Z9 GT e3 Premium, a lower-priced version of its top-selling electric luxury GT, starting at about $50,000.
BYD launches lower-priced Denza Z9 GT e3 Premium
We knew it was coming. Li Hui, Denza’s general manager, confirmed earlier this week that a new “lightweight” variant of the tri-motor EV would go on sale on September 9.
Denza launched the new Denza Z9 GT e3 Flash Charge Premium Edition on Wednesday, as a more affordable option to the range-topping e3 Performance model.
Like the Performance version, the new Premium trim is based on BYD’s e3 platform. The setup uses three electric motors: one 230 kW (308 hp) motor up front and two 310 kW (415 hp) motors in the rear, delivering a combined 770 kW (1,032 hp) and 1,210 Nm (892 lb-ft) of torque.
Denza said the tri-motor setup enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in just 2.8 seconds.
While the Performance version still beats it by 0.1 seconds (2.7 seconds 0 to100 km/h), the new e3 Premium is about $6,000 (40,000 yuan) cheaper.
The new Denza Z9 GT e3 Premium starts at 329,800 yuan in China, or about $49,000, compared to the Performance version, which starts at 369,800 yuan ($55,000).
Powered by a 122.5 kWh BYD Blade Battery 2.0, the new Premium trim offers a CLTC range of up to 860 km (534 miles), beating the Performance with up to 820 km (509 miles).
It also has BYD’s Flash Charging technology, which lets it charge from 10% to 70% in 5 minutes. A full charge (10% to 97%) takes just 9 minutes.
To offer it at a lower price, the new Premium trim does have a few equipment changes from the Performance variant. For one, it trades the carbon-ceramic brake discs for cast-iron discs and uses different wheels.
The new Denza Z9 GT e3 Premium is the same size as the other trims, measuring 5,195 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and 1,480 mm in height, with a 3,125 mm wheelbase.
Like the other version, the new model comes standard with premium features, including its God’s Eye 5.0 driving assistance technology and DiSus-A dual-chamber air suspension system.
According to Li, the new Z9 GT has been China’s top-selling luxury GT for several consecutive months after it went on sale earlier this year.
BYD also sells the Denza Z9 GT in Europe, starting at €115,000 ($134,500) in Germany, and in the UK, where it’s available starting at £95,000 for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and £105,000 for the fully electric version.
Whether or not BYD will launch the new Denza Z9 GT EV Premium model overseas has yet to be confirmed.
In Europe and the UK, BYD’s luxury electric GT has a WLTP driving range of up to 599 km (372 miles).
FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.
