Denza Enters India With D9 Luxury MPV And Z9 GT Shooting Brake, Prices Start From Rs 90 Lakh!

Denza, the luxury arm of BYD, has set foot in India with two models, the D9 MPV and the Z9 GT. Both come as completely built unit (CBU) imports, with the D9 priced at Rs 90 lakh and the Z9 GT at Rs 1.56 Crore (ex-showroom). The D9 is for those who want a large, three-row electric MPV, while the Z9 GT is a, performance-focused 5-door EV that is the only shooting brake-type car on sale in India. 

If you are wondering what this new brand brings to the table and want to know more about their new offerings, then read on as we cover both models in detail: 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by ZigWheels (@zigwheels)

Prices

The new Denzas will be sold through exclusive Denza dealerships despite sitting under the BYD brand in India. Reservations for both models can be made with a token price of Rs 10 lakh. 

Denza D9

Exterior

The D9 boasts an upright face dominated by a large, blanked-off grille with vertical patterned elements. The grille is flanked by thick silver strips that merge into the LED DRLs, which sit below the dual-pod LED projector headlamps. The lower bumper gets a separate set of LED DRLs. The tall and flat-ish fascia is typical of a luxury MPV.

In profile, the D9 measures over 5.2 metres in length with a wheelbase of around 3.1 metres. It has a straight beltline and roofline, 18-inch dual-tone alloy wheels and powered sliding doors with a soft-close function.

The rear end features a chunky full-width LED tail-light bar, Denza lettering on the powered tailgate and a silver strip on the lower bumper that adds some contrast. It also gets a roof-mounted spoiler for a sporty look. 

Interior

The D9 gets a seven-seat layout, featuring 2 seats at the front, two in the second row and three in the last row. The cabin gets Nappa leather upholstery, along with wood inserts and suede trims. To elevate the comfort, the second row gets individual captain seats with all the features that you would expect. Rear passengers have dedicated touchscreen controls in the armrests. 

Similar to most BYD models, it gets a large 15.6-inch infotainment screen and plenty of storage spaces in the lower centre console. The flat bottom, two-spoke steering wheel further gives the interior a clean look. 

The good thing is that all passengers get dedicated AC vents and grab handles. 

Features And Safety 

The dashboard houses a 15.6-inch touchscreen, a 10.25-inch digital driver’s display, a 16-speaker Devialet sound system, a panoramic sunroof, 3-zone climate control and ambient lighting. 

Safety is taken care of by an ADAS suite, nine airbags, an electronic parking brake (EPB), a 360-degree camera with blind-spot monitor, front and rear parking sensors, ISOFIX child seat mounts, multiple parking sensors and a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS).

Powertrain

The D9 is powered by a 115.07 kWh BYD Blade battery pack with a claimed NEDC range of over 500 km.

Here are the detailed specifications: 

*FWD: Front-wheel drive, AWD: All-wheel drive

Denza Z9 GT

Exterior

The Z9 GT is unlike anything that you have seen in India. It comes in a unique new body style, featuring a sporty silhouette. At the front, the Z9 GT gets split LED headlamps with 108 lighting zones, a ridged bonnet and discreet air intakes on the bumper. A LiDAR sensor sits on the leading edge of the roof.

It measures around 5,180mm in length, 1,990mm in width and 1,490mm in height, with a 3,125mm wheelbase. It sits on 20-inch alloy wheels, a prominent character line, flush door handles for a premium effect, and the Denza logo on the D-pillars. 

At the rear, you get a dual-ridge roof spoiler with a stop lamp in the centre, a heavily raked windscreen, wide LED tail-lamps and a layered bumper. A cool feature is that even the rear wheels steer by up to 15 degrees, which allows the Z9 GT to ‘crab walk’ and perform 360-degree turns.

Interior

The Z9 GT is a five-seater, and the dashboard is dominated by a triple-screen layout and a dual-tone cabin scheme. You also get a screen on each front door. On cars with camera-based mirrors, these show the camera feed, while on cars with conventional mirrors, they display a pattern synced with the ambient lighting.

The centre console gets multiple storage spaces for your mobile phones and cups, and there are also physical buttons for certain controls. It comes with a three-spoke steering wheel and well-bolstered seats. 

Overall, the interior is a fun yet comfortable place to be in, with plenty of displays and a minimalist approach that looks clean. 

Features

The equipment list includes a triple-screen setup: a 17.3-inch central touchscreen, a 13.2-inch passenger screen and a 13.2-inch digital driver’s display. You also get powered seats with ventilation, heating and massage functions, an AR head-up display, four-zone climate control, connected car tech and a dual-pane sunroof. 

Other features include a 20-speaker Devialet sound system, powered doors with soft-close, a powered tailgate and auto park assist. 

Safety amenities include an ADAS suite, nine airbags, ISOFIX child seat mounts, front and rear parking sensors, a tyre-pressure monitoring system (TPMS), traction control (TC), electronic stability control (ESC), and a 360-degree camera.

Powertrain

The Z9 GT comes with a 122.49 kWh battery pack powering as many as three electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, sending power to all four wheels. Here are the detailed specifications:

ZigSays...

Denza has picked two very different cars to introduce itself in India. Out of the D9 and Z9 GT, the former is the more practical of the two. It slots in as a plush, all-electric alternative to luxury MPVs like the Toyota Vellfire, and sits above the MG M9. The Z9 GT is the showpiece and the eye-candy. It is the only shooting brake on sale on our shores, with the BMW i7, Porsche Taycan and the Mercedes-Benz EQS as one of its closest rivals. 

Both these cars will give BYD a distinct luxury offering in India that goes well beyond its existing lineup. Since Indians are moving towards luxury MPVs, there is a potential market for the D9 to capture. On the other hand, the Z9 could be a solid weekend car to have fun with, while also offering enough space inside to take your family for a joyride. 

What are your thoughts on both the new entrants? Let us know in the comments below.