BYD challenges European legacies with the 1,582-horsepower Denza Z
Chinese automaker BYD is squaring up against Europe's premium brands with its latest high-performance offering. The company revealed its new Denza Z supercar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, seemingly ready to compete with high-end sports cars from Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz. This premium model expands the reach of the company's dedicated sub-brand, Denza, into the global luxury segment. Unfortunately for the European customers, the vehicle arrives with a massive pricing difference between its domestic market and export destinations - what is a bargain at home turns into a luxury investment abroad.
All versions of the Denza Z have an all-wheel-drive powertrain that uses three electric motors - one on the front axle and two independent electric motors on the rear axle. The rear power units can spin up to 30,000 rpm, and together, this tri-motor system delivers 1,582 horsepower (1,604 PS), putting the Z far ahead of traditional combustion rivals.
Buyers can choose between three trims: a Coupe hardtop, a Spider convertible, and a track-focused Racing edition. When fitted with optional semi-slick track tires, the Racing variant accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 1.96 seconds, and it continues accelerating until it reaches a verified top speed of 350 km/h. The standard Coupe hardtop completes the same sprint in 2.25 seconds, and the open-top Spider takes roughly 2.3 seconds.
The Denza Z is noticeably larger than a standard sports car - the Coupe variant measures 4,780 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and 1,330 mm in height, sitting on a 2,780 mm wheelbase. This size matches the general dimensions of a Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe. Unlike most traditional two-seat supercars, the cabin features a more practical four-seat interior layout. The Spider convertible stretches out to 4,865 mm in length and stands 1,350 mm tall. The Racing edition is even longer at 4,870 mm because it has a large front splitter and a fixed rear wing.
The newly launched BYD Denza Z delivers up to 1,582 horsepower and a 0-{{100 km/h}} sprint of under two seconds, aggressively undercutting European luxury competitors.
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