What is DENZA?

Denza is a premium automotive brand born from a joint venture between Chinese electric vehicle giant BYD and German luxury icon Mercedes-Benz (Daimler). Positioned as BYD’s upscale offering, Denza combines cutting-edge electric and hybrid technology with European-inspired design and craftsmanship.

What to Expect From DENZA’s Launch in the UK

This launch is a bit of a statement from BYD, really. They’ve already made a name for themselves in the world of EVs, and now they’re going after the premium crowd. Think German and British brands—BYD says it’s even aiming to outshine Mercedes-Benz in the tech and luxury stakes.

If you fancy seeing them up close, the 2025 Festival of Speed will be your first chance in the UK. DENZA’s bringing the Z9GT estate, the plush D9 MPV, and the chunky B5 SUV to show off.

Denza Z9GT: Flagship Estate with Up to 1,000bhp

Taking the lead is the DENZA Z9GT, a sleek estate—technically a shooting brake—that you can get as a fully electric model or with a plug-in hybrid setup. It’s built on BYD’s new “e3 Platform” and packs a serious punch, with up to 1,000bhp thanks to three electric motors. It’s got rear-wheel steering and a smart system helping control how it moves. One cool trick up its sleeve: it can do a “crab walk” to get into tight spots—pretty unusual for something that’s meant to be classy rather than off-road capable.

We don’t know the UK price yet, but people in the know reckon it’ll be in the ballpark of the Porsche Taycan Sport Turismo, starting at around £90,000. Given the performance and kit, that sounds about right.

 

Denza B5 SUV: Defender-Rivalling Plug-in Hybrid

Next up is the DENZA B5 SUV, and this one’s a bit of a beast. It’ll be at the Goodwood launch too—comes with a plug-in hybrid setup based on what BYD calls the “DMO Super-Hybrid Off-Road” platform. Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine, and it’s backed up by electric motors on both axles, giving you a solid 677bhp in total. The electric-only range is up to 78 miles (using China’s CLTC figures), so it’s not just about power—it’s got some eco credentials, too.

This one’s clearly aiming to compete with the likes of the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz GLE. Price-wise, again no UK figures yet, but it’s shaping up to land in the top tier of the SUV market.

Denza D9 MPV: Executive Comfort with Hybrid Power

Then there’s the DENZA D9 MPV—also showing up in right-hand drive at the festival. This one’s very much about comfort and space, aimed at families or executive travel. It’s a long-wheelbase plug-in hybrid, looking to square up to models like the Lexus LM. With its roomy interior and a smooth ride, it rounds out the launch line-up quite nicely.

Designed in Europe, Built in China

All the new DENZAs share a design style that’s been shaped by Wolfgang Egger—he’s the chap who used to be in charge of design at Audi and Lamborghini. The look is all about smooth, flowing lines, inspired by silk, and the interiors have been given a proper upscale feel. The idea is to combine Chinese tech with a bit of European flair, and it looks like they’ve made a solid go of it.

Exclusive Retail Network and Premium Ownership Experience

To keep things feeling high-end, DENZA’s setting up its own dealer network in the UK—completely separate from BYD’s regular operations. They’re promising the full works when it comes to service: proper aftercare, a buying experience that’s a cut above, and all the bits and pieces you’d expect from a premium brand.

They’re also going after the business crowd. With more people looking at company car schemes and EV salary sacrifice deals, these hybrids and EVs might tick the right boxes—plenty of appeal for fleet buyers and the like.

Executive Vision and Market Outlook

Here’s what BYD’s Executive Vice President, Stella Li, had to say about the whole thing:

“We’re confident that British car enthusiasts will find inspiration in how DENZA blends European influence with our sophisticated technologies, the finest craftsmanship and, for the first time in this segment, a true focus on efficient, sustainable new-energy powertrains.”

She didn’t hold back either, adding that BYD plans to outdo Mercedes-Benz when it comes to offering a more premium feel and better tech. So, clearly, they see DENZA as a bit of a game-changer.

Denza Brings a New Kind of Luxury to UK Roads

Timing-wise, DENZA is landing just as more UK drivers are looking beyond the usual German luxury fare. Searches for things like “Denza Z9GT vs Porsche Taycan” and “Denza B5 vs Land Rover Defender” have been popping up more and more—so people are definitely curious.

By getting prime billing at Goodwood and rolling out customer sales in early 2026, DENZA’s giving itself a decent shot at standing out. Full pricing will be revealed before cars go on sale, but early signs suggest they’ll be up there alongside Europe’s most high-end names.

With the UK shifting more and more towards electric cars, DENZA’s mix of style, innovation and performance might be just the thing for drivers who want something fresh in a space that’s usually dominated by the old familiar badges.