BYD’s luxury sub-brand, Denza, has officially landed in Malaysia with the grand debut of its all-electric MPV, the Denza D9. But it wasn’t the only reveal yesterday as the Denza D9 GT was given the spotlight only for a brief moment to make its first-ever appearance Malaysia. This sleek and sporty ‘shooting brake’ was teased as a preview of what’s to come – and let’s just say, it left quite an impression!
Denza Malaysia gave guests and media a tantalising glimpse of the Z9 GT, even showing off its ‘crab walk’ feature, which allows the car to move diagonally at an angle of up to 15 degrees. It was a moment that had everyone leaning in for a closer look – but unfortunately, Denza wasn’t ready to let anyone get too close just yet.
PHEV Powerhouse with Mind-Blowing Performance
What we do know is that the Z9 GT showcased at the event was a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) rather than the fully electric (EV) variant. But that’s not a bad thing – in fact, the PHEV version packs an absolute punch.
Under the bonnet, you’ll find BYD’s impressive DM-p powertrain, which combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with a 38.5 kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery. The real magic happens with the trio of electric motors that churn out a staggering 870 PS.
The result? A blistering 0-100 km/h sprint in just 3.6 seconds and an astonishing total range of up to 1,100 km. Of that, around 201 km can be driven purely on electric power. And even when the battery is drained, the Z9 GT still manages a frugal 5.6 litres/100 km fuel consumption.
Fully Electric Variant – Even More Insane
If you think that’s impressive, wait until you hear about the EV version. Swapping the petrol engine for a larger 100 kWh battery pack, the all-electric Z9 GT ups the ante with a monstrous 963 PS and 710 Nm of torque. That shaves the 0-100 km/h time down to just 3.4 seconds while delivering an estimated 630 km of driving range (CLTC-rated).
Luxury Meets Cutting-Edge Tech
Beyond sheer performance, the Z9 GT is a rolling showcase of futuristic design and luxury. Inside, the dashboard is dominated by multiple screens, including an instrument cluster, a central infotainment display, and a passenger-side screen – with the option to add even more screens for side-view camera displays.
Then there’s the ‘zero-gravity’ fully reclinable front passenger seat, a high-end Devialet audio system with rising speakers, dual fridges, and a panoramic glass roof that lets in plenty of natural light. Not to mention, the Z9 GT is loaded with advanced driver assistance features, promising a semi-autonomous driving experience.
When Will We See the Z9 GT on Malaysian Roads?
That’s the golden question. Denza Malaysia remained tight-lipped about its plans, but insiders hinted that the Z9 GT’s local launch is a strong possibility. The key factor? Production of a right-hand-drive (RHD) version.
For now, we’ll just have to wait and see – but if this teaser is anything to go by, Malaysia’s EV and hybrid market is about to get a serious upgrade!
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