In what seemed like an electric vehicle race at first turned into an attack on European EVs with BYD firing a stunning salvo directly at Tesla and Germany’s luxury car giants. BYD, in attempts to increase its global footprint, is set to launch its premium sub-brand, Denza, in Europe. With the launch comes the prospect of a 22nd-century supercar hitting European streets and resembling a car that time-traveled from the future. The Z9GT combines luxury craftsmanship with EV tech, luxury and advanced sci-fi-level features making the message loud and clear: it’s over for other European electric vehicle brands.
Denza redefining the European car market
Although President Trump seems to be doing everything in his power to prevent Chinese EVs from trespassing into the U.S. EV market, BYD is not shifting its focus from the European market. Europe is home to the eco-conscious consumer and soon the auto-market in Euro will welcome Denza.
Denza is considered to be a high-end luxury brand finding a balance between BYD’s mainstream offering and the most luxurious Yangwang marque. Founded initially in 2010 as a joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BYD, Denza is now fully under BYD’s control. BYD has reported a record breaking $107 billion in 2024 revenue exceeding Tesla’s $97,7 billion in sales and thus the European launch of BYD’s Denza comes as no surprise.
The launch will begin with the Z9GT, an electric vehicle set to compete with the likings of BMW, Mercedez Benz and Audi. While the sleek Z9GT will be the showstopper, it will be followed by the D9 MPV, a statement-making seven-seater luxury van.
About Z9GT and its technological design
The Denza Z9GT doesn’t preach about a sophisticated vehicle, it delivers what it preaches. Z9GT was designed by Wolfgang Egger, the former design chief at Audi and Lamborghini. This car boasts a Cell-to-Body structure integrating BYD’s Blade Battery into the chassis for extra strength and a flat interior floor. Increased cabin space is also on offer.
The e3 platform gives the Z9GT the edge that concept cars have. The rear-wheel-dual-motor steering system is a feature that is the most noteworthy. It enables each rear wheel to steer separately from the front wheels and each other. Equipped with a Vehicle Motion Control system, suspension, braking, and torque distribution are all taken over. The Z9GT fully electric version further vows a 0-60 mph sprint in approximately 3.4 seconds.
Looking inside the Z9GT
The inside of the Z9GT is just as impressive as the outside. Featuring a 7.3-inch floating infotainment display and dual 13.2-inch ultrawide screens for the front passenger, it surely is an attention grabber. The front seats contain 10-point massage functions, heating, and even active side bolsters for added grip during cornering.
A 20-speaker audio system by Devialet and a refrigerated compartment can also be found inside the Z9GT. While the price of this stunner has not yet been confirmed, it could be quite the game changer in the luxury EV market. With an enhanced level of tech and a comfort offering, it shreds other German EVs to pieces. Although all there are concerns that all EVs are set to disappear soon, this EV offers hope that the future of EVS can be redefined.
It’s over for Tesla
While BYD’s European expansion can be seen as putting Denza in the driver’s seat and beating Tesla, it’s more than that. BYD is set to redesign the entire EV map. While Tesla has been experiencing declining deliveries from 2011, BYD is swooping forward and growing overseas. In Q1 of 2025, 206,000 vehicles were sold internationally.
Despite rising tariffs and the Western market tightening control, moving Denza to Europe can be seen as quite the strategic move with BYD always being far ahead of European competitors in the EV race. With the new Tesla cars set to shock the world, is it really over for Tesla?
