Denza Z9GT Electric Vehicle to Launch in UK with £105,000 Price Tag and Five-Minute Charging

The Denza Z9GT, a new high-performance electric vehicle from China, is set to launch in the UK with a price of £105,000. Order books have opened, and the first deliveries to UK customers are anticipated before the end of the year. This marks the first model under the Denza brand, owned by EV giant BYD, to be released in European and UK markets.

Unrivaled Charging Speed

The Z9GT features BYD's second-generation Blade battery pack with a 122kWh capacity. When paired with BYD's upcoming network of 1,500kW 'Flash Chargers,' the vehicle can charge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes. This rapid charging adds approximately 224 miles of range in the time it takes to visit a service station. For comparison, Tesla's fastest Superchargers at 500kW require three times longer to add a similar amount of range.

Even in extreme temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius, the BYD-developed EV can reportedly recharge from 20% to 97% in 12 minutes. Charging from 10% to 97% (adding 323 miles of range) takes a total of nine minutes.

While there are currently no compatible BYD Flash Chargers in the UK, the company plans to install 300 of the 1,500kW chargers over the next 12 months, with a total of 600 planned across the UK as part of 6,000 new locations globally. BYD currently operates between 6,700 and 7,000 flash-charging stations in China and aims to expand this to 20,000 by the end of 2026.

Performance and Specifications

The Z9GT is described as a 'shooting brake,' a style of coupe-estate car. It is powered by a three-motor layout, with one at the front and two at the rear, producing 1,140bhp and a torque output of 1,210Nm. This configuration allows the EV to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 2.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 167mph. With a fully charged battery, the Denza Z9GT is estimated to have a range of 373 miles.

Hybrid Variant and Optional Extras

A plug-in hybrid version, the DM (Dual Mode), will also be available at a later date, starting from £95,000. This model utilizes three electric motors and a smaller 63.82kWh battery pack, offering an electric-only range of up to 126 miles. It also features a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, providing a combined range of 500 miles with a full battery and fuel tank. The Z9GT PHEV produces 765bhp and 1,035Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from 0 to 62mph in 3.6 seconds and reaching a top speed of 161mph.

Customers can personalize the Z9GT with optional extras, which can increase the final price. These include digital side mirrors for £1,600 and 21-inch alloy wheels for £2,500. While seven exterior paint finishes are offered, three are standard, with others costing an additional £2,500 or £4,500 for matte finishes. The quoted prices for the EV include a high standard specification.