In Brief
BYD’s Denza Z9S promises spectacular range, capable of reaching up to 1,100 km according to the Chinese CLTC cycle, though that figure should be treated with caution. In real-world European terms (WLTP), the estimated range would be around 800 km, which remains highly competitive. The Z9S uses a 102 kWh LFP battery and benefits from ultra-fast charging technology with BYD’s Flash Charging solution. Initially launched in China, it could arrive on the French market at a price well above €41,000.
Range remains a decisive argument when buying an electric car. Buyers still worry about running out. 500, 600, 700 or even 800 km: automakers keep pushing to offer ever more range. But BYD appears to be the first to breach the 1,000 km mark with a Denza Z9S… or almost.
A New Electric Sedan
In Denza’s lineup, BYD’s upscale division, the Z9 GT was already known—a high-performance electric wagon now marketed in France with up to 600 km WLTP. Now the manufacturer has opened orders in China for the Z9S, a sedan version of the Z9 GT that promises better range.
Don’t expect a styling revolution. It borrows the look from the Z9 GT while dropping the liftgate in favor of a traditional trunk. The profile resembles that of other high-end electric sedans like the Porsche Taycan, which stands as a benchmark among premium EV sedans, but also the Xiaomi SU7.
On the other hand, the front and rear headlights are identical. Thus, Denza applies the same playbook as Porsche with its Taycan or Audi with its A6 e-tron: an electric sedan and wagon built on the same platform with barely any styling differences.
An Extremely Large Range?
If you look at the technical sheet published in China, the Denza Z9S uses a 102 kWh LFP battery for ranges between 780 and 1,100 km. There are two versions of the Z9S: a rear-wheel-drive model with a single motor delivering 503 hp and a dual-motor version delivering 1,210 hp. Naturally, the less powerful is the one offering the best range, potentially approaching 1,100 km according to CLTC.
However, that range seems a bit optimistic. A 102 kWh battery paired with 1,100 km of range would imply electricity consumption under 10 kWh/100 km, which is difficult to achieve—even in a compact electric car—under mixed-cycle testing. This highlights the gap between the CLTC cycle in China, which is more favorable to manufacturers, and the WLTP cycle in Europe, which better reflects real-world use.
Applying WLTP, the propulsion version should show an estimated range of around 800 km. That remains an excellent figure. Few cars manage to do better: BMW, for example, claims up to 900 km of range with the new i3.
On the charging front, BYD gains an edge with its Flash Charging technology. Building on the BYD Blade 2.0 battery, the manufacturer can offer a car that accepts up to 1,000 kW of charging power on 1,500 kW-capable stations. The 10 to 70% recharge is accomplished in 5 minutes, while 10 to 97% takes 9 minutes. At -30 °C, only three additional minutes are needed for a full recharge.
The Denza Z9S lineup begins in China at 319,800 yuan, roughly €41,000. This version could reach France since the Z9 GT has already paved the way. However, its price would be significantly higher. It could approach €100,000, similar to the Z9 GT offered in its top-end variants, whether with two motors or high-end hybrids, equipped with the most generous features.
Comparison Table
| Model | Battery (kWh) | CLTC Range (km) | WLTP Range (km) | Power (hp) | Charging Power (kW) | 10-70% Charge | 10-97% Charge | China Price (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denza Z9S (RWD) | 102 | 1,100 | ~800 | 503 | 1,000 | 5 min | 9 min | 319,800 (€41,000) |
| Denza Z9S (AWD) | 102 | 780 | – | 1,210 | 1,000 | 5 min | 9 min | 319,800 (€41,000) |
| Denza Z9 GT | – | – | 600 | – | – | – | – | Up to €100,000 |
| BMW i3 (new) | – | – | 900 | – | – | – | – | – |
Key Takeaways
- The Denza Z9S is BYD’s new flagship luxury electric sedan.
- It claims up to 1,100 km of range according to the Chinese CLTC cycle, but realistically around 800 km WLTP.
- The Z9S uses a 102 kWh LFP battery and offers two versions: rear-drive (503 hp) and all-wheel drive (1,210 hp).
- Flash Charging enables very fast charging: 10-70% in 5 minutes, 10-97% in 9 minutes.
- Prices start at 319,800 yuan in China (about €41,000), but would be much higher in France.
- The CLTC cycle tends to overstate range compared with the more realistic WLTP used in Europe.
FAQ
What is the announced range for the BYD Denza Z9S?
BYD claims up to 1,100 km of range according to the Chinese CLTC cycle for the Denza Z9S.
What variants are available for the Denza Z9S?
There is a single-motor propulsion version with 503 horsepower and a two-motor version delivering 1,210 horsepower.
What is the battery capacity of the Denza Z9S?
The Denza Z9S is equipped with a 102 kWh LFP battery.
How long does it take to recharge the Denza Z9S?
From 10% to 70% in 5 minutes, and 10% to 97% in 9 minutes with Flash Charging.
What is the price of the Denza Z9S in China?
The Denza Z9S starts at 319,800 yuan, about €41,000.
