Denza Z9 GT: road test, technology, consumption, prices, interiors

Since its presentation, the Denza Z9 GT has obtained great media clamor by way first of all of some technological goodies quickly become viral on the net, such as the parallel parking facilitated And the “walking walk”. Just describing it for these qualities, however, would be very reductive, because behind these original found there is a concrete car with a really interesting premise. That is, that of a Chinese manufacturer, the byd groupwhich is considered ready to land in Europe with a brand that puts the car manufacturers in the sights premium European, not on the level of economic convenience, but for technology and technology. Also because the Denza Z9 GT everything will be cheap. The price list prices For the market of the old continent it has not been officially communicated and for the moment no indicative figures have been widespread. Given the level of equipment and technical complexityhowever, it seems reasonable to expect a figure in the order of 90,000 euros. For a definitive response it will be necessary to wait for the start of the deliveries, foreseen for the First months of 2026. Starting with players and technical staff of theInterby virtue of the recent sponsorship agreement.

1Denza Z9 GT, how it is made

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To move the car is a driving group Plug-in hybrid including four different engines, one thermal and three electric. Specifically, the combustion component is a four Turbo petrol cylinders from 2 liters of displacement capable of delivering a maximum power equal to 207 horses. Of the three electric engines, however, one is located in front of the cabin and delivers a maximum power of 200 kW (272 HP), while the remaining two are located on the rear axle, where they unload up to 220 kW (299 HP) each. The result is a total power equal to 870 horses. Among the technical peculiarities of the Z9 GT Denza, the adoption of a battery pack integrated into the frame as a structural element, a characteristic seen so far only on totally electrical cars. The battery sizing is also particular for a plug-in hybrid: we are in the order of 38.5 kWhfor an autonomy in electrical mode which, according to the Chinese CLTC approval cycle, can reach the 201 km. As per byd tradition, it is a Blade Batterya unit LFP (lithium-firing-phosphate) with long and narrow cells, of the “laminates” arranged in a very close way. On the level of performance, the Denza Z9 GT VA from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and can reach a maximum speed of 230 km/hwhile downloaded battery consumption approved in the Nedc cycle is 7.6 l/100 km.

2Denza Z9 GT, The outsiders

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The lines of the Z9 GT Denza arise from the pencil of Wolfgang Eggerwith a past in Alfa Romeo (where he signed, among the various, 156, 147 and 8c competition) and since 2017 Design director For Byd. For the group’s flagship, Egger has declaredly chosen to have been inspired by the image of an object covered with a thin silk drape. The result is a car with soft and rounded shapes, for an elegance not “screamed” with a pinch of sportiness. In the frontthe two voluminous optical groups are partially replicated by the thin strip of day -light LED LEDs, while the lower section of the grille effectively masks the radar sensors. Also the rear, from the cut “Brake Shooting“, It stands out for two lights with generous dimensions, accompanied by a bipartite rear spoiler at the top of the rear window and a second mobile wing, or a active aerodynamic element That in speed “cleans” the air flows in the queue. Imposing the size of the car. The length, in fact, is equal to 5.195 metersthe width is 1,990 me the height of 1.500 m.

3Denza Z9 GT, The interiors

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The voluminous dimensions of the Denza Z9 GT translate into a habit with particularly generous spaces. Passengers of the rear row, for example, can benefit from a considerable step, well 3,125 meterswhich combined with the totally flat background gives total freedom of movement to the legs. The care for the second row continues with the presence of Four seats out of five ventilated, heated and massageall equipped with further support for the electrically removable legs. Prerogative for the front sessions, on the other hand, i Active seat supports. Translated, when cornering the external edge hardens in the opposite direction compared to that of march for greater containment. The management of the prevalence of functions passes through the voluminous 17.3 “display At the center of the dashboard, flanked by a 13.2 “digital instrumentation and a similar secondary display for the passenger, in which it is also possible to look at streaming content. Oppo for the digital rear view mirrors, the range of screens is completed with the two displays of the respective cameras. The interior of the interior, where the seats and the lower ends of the dashboard are entirely covered in soft skincombined with wooden moldings and soft carpet. On the specimens made available to the test, the models in specific pre-series specifications reserved for the Chinese market, there are also some “goodies” such as two compartments at controlled temperaturerefrigerated from -6 to 6 degrees or heated up to 50 degrees, but also a habitable selfie camera, including filters and even a karaoke microphone. We still do not know how many of these equipment will also be resumed from the models for the European market.

4Denza Z9 GT, how it goes

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The conception of luxury car for the European public does not pass only by form and substance, but largely also for theexperience of use. In this sense, it is necessary to make a premise before going to the test. As mentioned, the Z9 GT Denza made available for the test are models of pre-series with Chinese specifications and this also includes the structure, calibrated according to the preferences of Asian motorists. For the European market, the manufacturer has already confirmed that he was working on one Specific developmentincluding the response of the steering and the calibration of the suspensions. Having said that, opting for the “sport” guide mode we can compensate for the softer Chinese structure, approaching a behavior more in line with European expectations. Also because in this mode, the Pneumatic suspensions They do an excellent job in compensating Rollio and Pancieggio, transmitted in the passenger compartment in a much more veiled way than you might expect from an admiral with a not indifferent weight, 2,740 kg according to what was communicated to the Ministry of Chinese industry. All without compromising the comfort marching, absolutely remarkable, thanks not only to the ability to absorb the suspension, which “eat” rather marked roughness of the road surface, but also to the comfortable and soft seats, to the very generous dimensions and theExcellent soundproofingwhich comes to hide almost totally even the voice of the thermal engine, when on.

5Denza Z9 GT, between the curves

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The area chosen for the test are the narrow hairpin bends that gives Riva del Garda (TN) They climb up to Lake Tenno. A context that on paper would not seem ideal for a long, indeed long -run admiral, from 5.20 meters And with a step well over three meters. Here, however, the Denza shows off one of its axes in the sleeve, the Up to 10 degree steering rear wheels in counter-phase. A solution made possible by the adoption of two engines in the queue, one by axis, for greater freedom of movement. As a result, the Z9 GT manages to “cling” to the internal lane also in hairpin More tight, with a steering arch that has nothing to envy compared to cars with decidedly lower size. Always thanks to this technical setting, the car is able to make the rear wheels inwards in the emergency braking to increase stability, but also towards the outside, replicating the direction of the front ones, to allow the “Crab Walk” facilitated parking: just align the car in the chosen place, select the desired rotation angle on the display and, if the space allows it, the car lets “slip” the rear to align independently, without further maneuvers are necessary. The freedom of movement with the possibility of selecting an angle of 180 ° (0 360 °), for one ‘U -reversion In a really low -steering radius, only 4.62 meters. To make a comparison, one Smart Fortwo It would cover the same maneuver with a range of 6.95 meters. However, the scotto to pay is early wear of the tires. The black signs on the asphalt is evident, while we experimented with this function.

6Denza Z9 GT, engine and consumption

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The complex management between the thermal engine and the three electrical units, which also depends on the context of use and on the selected marching methods, is up to the on -board computer. For example, proceeding uphill in the Sport mode The 2.0 Turbo Petrol tends to operate rather frequently to guarantee maximum performance. As acceleration is progressive and full -bodiedfirst of all of the resulting resulting power, 870 horses downloaded on four driving wheels. Where he gives his best he is in recovery, always reactive and rather intense. On the other hand, i consumption They are not indifferent. During our test, in a rather heavy context, we have detected peaks in the order of 11 l/100 kmwhile the on -board computer reported an average of 8.6 l/100 km in the last 5,000 km traveled by the car. For this, we refer the necessary surveys to when we can put hand to a definitive specimen. Relating to the electric component, however, considering a 38.5 kWh battery pack And a declared autonomy of 201 km, we can estimate an average consumption of 19.5 kWh/100 km.

7Denza Z9 GT, strengths and weaknesses

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Below, strengths and weaknesses detected during our road test of the Denza Z9 GT.

Strength

• ​Driving comfort: you travel on velvet, in a spacious and perfectly soundproofed passenger compartment;
• Rear seats: you feel anything but “Serie B passengers” even in the second row. The seats are ventilated, heated and even massage. The air conditioner is independently adjustable through a special touch screen;
• Handling: Despite the important dimensions, the Z9 GT is maneuverable in contained spaces, both thanks to the steering rear wheels with a remarkable angle and, if desired, with the facilitated parking functions.

Defects

• Consumption: The specimens under test recorded rather high values.