BYD’s Denza brand definitely has a thing about Porsche. We’ve already heard plenty about the Z9 GT, a Panamera-lookalike EV with a triple-motor drivetrain, and now there’s the Denza Z, an electric concept that seems to have Porsche’s 911 and upcoming 718 Cayman EV in its sights.

Denza is calling the Z a concept, but you won’t convince us this stylish coupe’s story is going to fizzle out once the Shanghai Auto Show has wrapped. And if it reaches production with as much heat as the Z9 GT, Porsche better watch out.

Related: BYD’s Denza Z9 GT Rivals Porsche’s Panamera And Taycan For A Fraction Of The Price

Though the Z’s size (judging by the images) and presence of two rear seats call to mind the 911, the design seems to take its lead from various Lamborghini and Lotus cars. The concept has a deep lower bumper and splitter, a big rear diffuser and a gigantic rear wing, all of which could potentially appear on a range-topping performance model, though we’d expect most production trims to look rather less OTT.

Denza didn’t reveal much in the way of specs, but we do know that the Z has steer-by-wire tech that removes the mechanical link between the steering wheel and the front axle. We also know the lack of a mechanical link means the steering wheel can be folded away under the dashboard when not needed, which hardly sounds like something attractive to hardcore drivers, but will definitely appeal to anyone whose car doubles as a mobile office.

Images show a double-wishbone front suspension and magnetorheological shocks that can change damping force in 10 ms in response to changes in the road surface, but don’t give us any clue as to what kind of electric powertrain the Z is running. But it seems logical that the setup will borrow heavily from the Z9 GT, and we know the top-end versions of that fastback sedan have three motors and a combined output of 952 hp (965 PS / 710 kW).

BYD is introducing the Denza brand to the European market and believes it has a real shot at stealing sales from premium brands, including Mercedes, which founded the brand with BYD but later walked away. In a recent interview with Car Magazine, BYD boss Stella Li claimed Denza’s new vehicles were ‘ten times better’ than rival products.

Images: Denza

The 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, kicking off on April 23, promises to be another stage for China’s local automakers to flex their muscles. Among the highlights, BYD is ready to showcase a slew of production vehicles, but it’s the two concept cars inspired by the hit video game Black Myth: Wukong and Chinese mythology that are set to steal the spotlight.

BYD’s collaboration with “Black Myth: Wukong” was announced in October 2024 with the goal of “protecting Chinese ancient monuments and national treasures”. However, this will be the first time that the automaker will present actual models with references to the game.

More: BYD Boss Brags Z9 GT Is ‘Ten Times Better’ Than Premium Euro Rivals

The concepts appear to be based on the BYD Han L sedan and the Denza Z9 GT shooting brake respectively. Starting with the Han L, it features a massive rear wing with a texture that resembles the skin of a dragon. It also features matching canards and splitter on the front bumper, side skirts, mirror caps, and rear bumper extensions, while riding on large-diameter alloy wheels.

The Denza Z9 GT is dressed in gold and brown, looking like a fitting vehicle for a Chinese emperor. The exterior is adorned by dragon sculptures and a livery featuring traditional motifs. We can also see a redesigned front bumper with yellow LEDs, wide fenders, and an aftermarket set of alloy wheels finished in gold.

BYD shared the teasers without much information about the vehicles. However, its fans were able to pinpoint the models they are based on. Judging from the pictures, they will most likely remain one-offs, designed to grab the attention of automotive enthusiasts from the gaming community.

It is not clear if the modified Han L and Denza Z9 GT will feature any performance or chassis upgrades over the standard production models. However, with a healthy output of 952 hp from a trio of electric motors, the Denza Z9 GT doesn’t really need them.

More: BYD’s 1,100HP EV Monsters Promise Insane Charging Speeds

According to Wikipedia, “Black Myth: Wukong” is an action role-playing video game inspired by the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West. It was released on August 2024 by Game Science, and sold 20 million units within the first month. It’s popularity has sparked a tourism craze in historical sites in China, which are presented within the game with great realism.

We will update this story with the official photos of the concepts once they go live tomorrow.

BYD

Launching a new brand into an established market is a brave move with no guarantee of success. But if she has any doubts about Denza’s chances in Europe, BYD boss Stella Li isn’t letting on, claiming in a recent interview Denza’s new vehicles were ‘ten times better’ than than those they aim to outpace, and which include the likes of Mercedes, Audi, BMW, and possibly even Porsche.

BYD’s gains in Europe with its own EVs and PHEVs gives Li reason to be confident. But Denza is shooting for a totally different, more image and status-conscious audience. A premium brand designed to slot between everyman BYD and pricey YangWang, Denza will take on established European names like Mercedes, which could be embarrassing for Benz because Denza started off as a BYD-Daimler co-op before BYD carried on alone.

Related: Chinese Brand Mercedes Created With BYD Is Now Coming For Mercedes In Europe

The Z9 GT is odds-on the first Denza to hit European roads later this year and will offer a more coupe-like alternative to cars like the Audi A6 and A6 e-tron Avant, and BMW 5-series and i5 Touring. A sporty shooting brake whose Porsche Panamera-like profile is the work of former Alfa Romeo and Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger, the Z9 is a triple-motor EV with 952 hp (965 PS / 710 kW). An 858 hp (870 PS / 640 kW) 2.0-liter PHEV is also available.

‘This car is really ten times better than the competition,’ Li told Car Magazine at the Denza brand launch at Milan Design Week. ‘We have a lot of unique features the other legacy brands do not have.’

Tech-Forward, Price-Savvy Strategy

Those features are not limited to aggressive pricing, though you can be sure Denza’s cars will offer more standard equipment at a much lower cost than than their rivals to help hook buyers in. Technology is a big focus: the Z9 will crab-walk and slow-motion drift into parking spaces and round tight turns, tricks you won’t find on premium Western cars (check out the video below).

‘We are confident that buyers will find distinctive, unique appeal in the car’s mix of sophisticated, elegant design, strong performance and astounding technology,’ Li said, adding that Denza’s superior customer service will be key to it carving market share.

European pricing hasn’t been confirmed yet, but in China, the Z9 GT starts at 334,800 yuan and tops out at 414,800 yuan (around $45,800 to $56,800). That’s a serious value play when you consider the Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo start at 1,008,000 yuan ($138,000) and can balloon past 1,500,000 yuan ($205,000) depending on options.

Credit: BYD/Denza

As Chinese automakers continue to test Europe’s appetite for newcomers, BYD is making a move to stake its claim in the premium segment. The company has officially launched its Denza brand in Europe, aiming to grow its footprint in the region and challenge established luxury manufacturers. The first model to hit European streets will be the Z9 GT, with sales expected to begin by the end of the year.

Denza was originally formed as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz back in 2011. But despite the star power behind it, the brand struggled to gain traction, selling just 23,000 vehicles in its first decade. Mercedes-Benz began scaling back its involvement in 2022, reducing its stake to just 10 percent before fully exiting the partnership last year. Denza is now entirely under BYD’s control.

Read: BYD’s Denza Z9 GT Rivals Porsche’s Panamera And Taycan For A Fraction Of The Price

The Chinese maker launched the Denza brand at a special event in Milan, Italy, earlier this week. According to BYD’s special advisor for Europe, Alfredo Altavilla, Denza will target traditional premium car buyers and younger customers with a keen focus on technology.

Back in China, BYD operates Denza alongside two other premium sub-brands, Fang Cheng Bao and Yangwang. According to ArenaEV, BYD plans to consolidate Fang Cheng Bao into the Denza lineup for Europe, starting with the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard 5, which will be rebadged as a Denza. It remains unclear whether Yangwang models will also be brought under the Denza umbrella for the European market.

Denza has not announced prices for its European lineup. However, while speaking with Reuters, Altavilla said the Z9 GT will be followed up by the luxurious D9 van at the end of the year. Both models will be built in and exported from China, even though the automaker plans to start building cars at its new plant in Hungary from October.

On paper, the Z9 GT is aimed at the likes of Porsche’s Taycan Sport Turismo, though it beats the German EV on size. It’s over 7.8 inches (200 mm) longer and rides on a wheelbase that’s 8.8 inches (225 mm) longer. Power comes from three electric motors producing a combined 952 horsepower, fed by a 100.1 kWh lithium-iron phosphate battery pack. In China, the company also offers a PHEV version that combines a 2.0-liter turbo engine and three electric motors for 858 hp.

The Z9 GT’s performance numbers may place it in the same conversation as Porsche’s offerings, but its pricing in China suggests a very different customer base. There, Denza’s model is priced between 334,800 and 414,800 yuan (roughly $45,800 to $56,800), while Porsche’s comparable models, like the Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Cross Turismo, start around 1,008,000 yuan ($138,000) and stretch well beyond 1,500,000 yuan ($205,000), depending on trim and powertrain.

Chinese automaker BYD has just released a new feature that feels ripped from the pages of a sci-fi movie: a roof-mounted drone docking station. It’s called the Ling Yuan system, and it promises to turn your ordinary drive into an episode of “National Geographic” — or maybe “Top Gun” if you’re feeling dramatic.

The system will cost you ¥16,000 ($2,200), but that price tag buys you a 4K drone, a sleek docking station, and the ability to capture stunning aerial footage of your daily commute.

More: Existing BYD Owners Furious After Car Prices Drop And Features Get Better

This tech was first teased on the Yangwang U8 SUV in 2023, but the Bao 8 SUV from the Fang Cheng Bao brand is the first to actually offer it. And don’t worry, BYD isn’t just aiming this at tech geeks or those with more money than sense—they want to make this high-flying gadget accessible to a broader range of buyers. So, expect to see it rolled out across more BYD brands down the road.

A 4K Drone That Takes Off While You’re Still Driving

The Ling Yuan system was developed in collaboration with Chinese drone maker DJI. It includes a 4K drone and a docking station, covering an area of 0.29 m² (3.1 square feet) on the roof of the vehicle. This drone hangar has an aerodynamic shape and measures 215 mm (8.5 inches) tall.

Once you press that magic button, the roof opens, and the platform lifts, letting the drone soar to the skies. And here’s where it gets really cool: You can deploy and control the drone while the car is in motion—up to 25 km/h (16 mph). Then, the drone can follow the vehicle at speeds of up to 54 km/h (34 mph) to capture the perfect footage, whether you’re cruising down a highway or navigating off-road trails.

When the filming is over, the drone returns to the roof-mounted hangar, where it automatically charges. According to the company, a 20-80% charge takes just 30 minutes, so occupants won’t have to wait long before the next flight.

The drone can be controlled directly from the vehicle’s infotainment display or via the Ling Yuan app, available for smartphones. Additionally, AI software helps organize and edit the footage, making it easier to share on your favorite social media platform.

In addition to the Yangwang U8 and Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8, other models already shown with the system on their roofs include the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 5, Titanium 3, Denza N9, BYD Tang L, and BYD Sealion 07 DM-i. This list is expected to grow in the future as more models are added.

At this point, it’s unclear whether the Ling Yuan system will make its way outside of China. But hey, if you’ve been dreaming of filming your next road trip from the air in your BYD SUV, you might just have to pack your bags for a little international adventure.

Photos and Videos: BYD / Weibo