BYD’s luxury brand Denza has launched the improved Z9GT, offering something buyers rarely see: a lower price and significantly improved features. If the company’s announcements prove true, the Tesla Model Y will finally have a competitor that offers a better deal.
A significant price cut with even better specifications
The battery-electric variant now starts at 269,800 yuan ($39,150), down from 354,800 yuan, a reduction of 23.96 percent. For that money you get a CLTC range of up to 1,036 kilometers (644 miles), a new world record for pure electric models, and a 64 percent increase over the older model’s range of 630 kilometers (391 miles).
For comparison, the premium edition of the Tesla Model Y with rear-wheel drive costs $44,990 and offers a range of around 575 kilometers. This means the new Z9GT offers almost twice the range at a lower cost.
Loading times that could change the way you think about car journeys
Range numbers are only part of the story. With BYD’s second-generation blade battery and ultra-fast flash charging technology, the Z9GT BEV can be charged from 10% to 70% in just five minutes. A near full charge from 10% to 97% takes just nine minutes. This is virtually unique to any electric car and gives BYD a significant advantage over the competition.
The PHEV variant is also no problem
The PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) now has a 63.8 kWh battery, almost doubling the all-electric range of its predecessor to 401 kilometers (249 km). With a full tank of fuel, you get a combined range of 1,301 kilometers, a number that dwarfs any of its competitors.
Intelligent technology to match the larger battery
The new improved Z9GT is equipped with the e3 intelligent vehicle control platform, the God’s Eye 5.0 advanced driver assistance system and the DiSus-A intelligent body control system, which represents a significant step forward in driving experience and real-world safety.
Prices and availability
BEV offers Z9GT in five variants. BEV models are priced at 269,800 (US$39,150), 299,800 (US$43,465) and 369,800 (US$53,610) yuan. The two PHEV variants start at 309,800 (US$44,910) and 339,800 (49,260) yuan, respectively. Deliveries are expected to begin at the end of March and the exhibition vehicles are already arriving in the showrooms.
