Denza, BYD’s premium marque, is gearing up to enter the European market before the end of this year. Leading the launch is the Z9 GT, an all-electric shooting brake designed to turn heads.
In its flagship specification, the Z9 GT pairs three electric motors for a combined output of 710 kW (965 hp) and 1355 Nm. Even so, raw power is not the most striking part of the story.
A car with a brain
Beyond performance figures, the Z9 GT also debuts a highly advanced platform called e3, notable for its exceptional capabilities in power delivery, dynamic control and "intelligence".
The key point is the e3 platform’s ability to merge the vehicle’s "brain" and "neural network" into a single architecture. At the centre of this is the Vehicle Motion Control (VMC) system, which acts as a hub: it manages incoming information from the car’s main actuators (brakes, suspension and steering) with near-instant data transmission.
With this level of integration, the system can not only detect changes inside and outside the vehicle in real time, but also consolidate that data within milliseconds, send it back to the central "brain" for rapid decision-making, and then adjust vehicle conditions to enhance driving enjoyment, safety and comfort.
Next-level safety
The benefits for dynamic safety are substantial-particularly in extreme scenarios such as a high-speed tyre blowout. In that situation, the VMC identifies the issue in 10 milliseconds, manages the rear wheels to maintain a neutral steering angle, and immediately modifies torque distribution across the three motors.
In real terms, this lessens the load on the damaged tyre and improves traction at the remaining wheels, increasing overall stability. The outcome is a 47% reduction in the maximum rate of sudden trajectory change. On top of that, the e3 platform’s intelligent driver-assistance systems help keep the car in the correct lane, further limiting the incident’s impact.
Tested and proven
To demonstrate the system’s effectiveness, Denza set up a controlled demonstration-one we had the chance to witness-showing how it performs at the Italian magazine Quattroruote’s test circuit near Milan.
During the run, the Z9 GT was travelling between 180 km/h and 200 km/h when the front-left tyre burst. The result was remarkable: the car continued straight ahead and was brought to a stop without any obvious difficulty.
This technology could save lives not only in Denza models, but also in vehicles from other manufacturers-if the industry chooses to democratise it. Systems like this may mark the beginning of a new era in automotive safety.
Dynamic advantages
Safety aside, when it comes to how the e3 platform manages vehicle dynamics, the standout feature is its ability to vary each motor’s torque split in real time according to what the driver and the road "ask" of the car at any given moment.
The system can also blend functions such as torque vectoring from the two rear motors and rear-wheel steering using two independent motors, delivering far higher levels of control in challenging situations. It even enables parking in extremely tight spaces thanks to lateral or diagonal movement.
When will it arrive?
Denza’s European arrival is scheduled for the end of the year. Initially, the Denza Z9 GT will be offered only with battery-electric powertrains, but a plug-in hybrid (DM-i) variant is expected to join the line-up from the first quarter of next year. The Z9 GT is the brand’s first model, with more to follow: including the D9, a luxury MPV, which should be followed by a pair of SUVs.
It is worth remembering that Denza was created through a 50/50 joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz. However, the German firm reduced its stake in 2021 and then sold the remaining 10% in October last year. Denza is now wholly owned by BYD.
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