(Elbil24): You recognize a Porsche Panamera when you see one, some say. Well, there’s a lot of truth in that, but damn it, someone wants to pick up the fight, and it’s not just anyone.
If I say the car manufacturer Denza, it probably won’t ring any bells. For some it sounds more familiar if I say BYD, but not everyone gets the ignition here either. Not yet, but just wait.
Because what would you say if Porsche launched a fully electric Panamera with 952 horsepower at half the price of what one of the hottest Panamera versions costs today?
Many would of course think: run and buy!
Photo: Fred Magne Skillebæk
view more
The point is that the car I’m talking about is a Denza Z9 GT, a brand made by BYD, which is unofficially coming to Europe. Photos of it driving around Germany have already been shown, and it fits in perfectly in Europe, more so than in China.
To really make it custom, BYD has turned it into a station wagon, or sports wagon if you will. If you are still skeptical, then I must add a detail that might make the choice somewhat easier, because Denza is not only owned by BYD. Mercedes-Benz actually owns 10 percent of the company, but BYD is so large and worth far more on the stock market than Daimler, that here it is really more about who should look down on whom.
Porsche Macan test drive: A rawhide of a family car
Big car
The car is not exactly small, with its 5.18 meters in length, but the fact that it is not tall only enhances the sporty appearance.
The car also has a wheelbase of over 3.12 metres, so there is no doubt that this is physically a car with seven-mile boots.
Photo: Fred Magne Skillebæk
view more
But of course it does not stop with the physical, because the car also follows up with the forces. The Z9 GT has three electric motors – one more than Porsche has ever had – and the three produce a total of 952 horsepower.
Now it must be said that in the new Taycan, Porsche’s two deliver more than BYD’s three, as those with boost function produce more than 1,000 horsepower. It is also part of the story that BYD has greatly increased its Blade batteries, with much higher energy density and charging speed. It is something that belongs to a real sports car.
A new battery is charged at one kilometer per second
To Europe?
Well, I’ve already said it: the car is already in Europe, and it’s been tested and seen around in different districts.
Unofficially, it is said that the brand will be launched in 2025. Then it remains to be seen whether the importer of BYD will take the Denza to Norway. As you know, BYD also has the brand Yangwang, which is their luxury brand. BYD will also have distributed this widely in all European countries, but Norway is not big enough for everyone.
We hinted at the start that the Z9 will cost half as much as a Panamera, but at the same time we have to admit that we have no idea of the prices for a Z9 in Norway. At the same time, we know what the intentions of the Chinese manufacturers are. We just know that they will use all means, and that price is one of them.
However, the Denza Z9 is not the only car we have compared to the Porsche Panamera recently. Another car – another Chinese one – is the Zeekr 001. It’s also shaped like a sort of Panamera and will also come in a worsting version, and at a screamingly good price.
Test run: Zeekr 001 delivers on absolutely everything
In other words, there will be a lot to choose from in the future.
Elbil24 has been in Beijing and Shanghai this week in connection with the Auto China 2024 car exhibition. Here they are crystal clear in their speech. They have margins to go on that the German manufacturers are unable to meet, they say.
And we believe it, without doubting that they are right.
