This Chinese circus horse should also gallop on Luxembourg’s streets

The figures that Stella Li, Vice President of the Automobile Manufacturer BYD, recently presented at the design week in Milan, spoke for itself: According to its own information, the company deployed around 4.27 million electrical and hybrid vehicles last year and is the market leader in this area. In the overall market, where the Toyota and the Volkswagen Group set the tone, BYD went to sixth place.

Not that bad at all, you might think. But in Europe, the Asians, who entered the market in 1995, are not yet able to gain a foothold. Especially on Germany, the Chinese literally bite their teeth. The market share among the eastern neighbors, who, like the Luxembourgers are considered to be crazy, is negligible due to the strong domestic competition.

Market attack with Denza

Now, however, an attack should follow from all sides: « We have to localize BYD more and make a European brand out of it, » Stella Li announced a few weeks ago. A success ingredient in this recipe is the local production, a system in Hungary is said to be in operation this year, a second in Turkey is to follow in 2026; And this shouldn’t be the last. And Last, but guarantees not least, the own brand Denza should also contribute to the success of the group of companies.

Denza? Even artists are not a concept. But how should he be: So far, Denza was only active in China. Mind you: So far … The brand was launched in 2011 by BYD Auto and Daimler AG (the Swabians rose in 2024), the first vehicle went into series production a few years later. Last year, the Chinese showed a model in Europe for the first time on the Geneva Motor Show with the massive Van D9, but the market entry is now being started with a somewhat sleek speed.

As a real eye -catcher, the Gran Tourer Z9GT should set a clear sign and make the premium brand known with a thunderstall. The brand builds on the basic pillar design, performance and technology. A German is responsible for the former: Wolfgang Egger. The 62-year-old automotor designer was already under contract with Alfa Romeo, Seat, Lancia, Audi and Lamborghini. He has been employed by BYD for nine years.

The Dynamic Z9GT designed by it combines China and Europe, as highlighted by Stella Li-and still reminds a little of some models from the Porsche range. During the presentation of the car in Europe, the comparison with silk is repeatedly falling as fluent as the fabric, as fluid, the streamlined outer and the inside of the car, which is bristles before special equipment, is as fluent as the fabric. An example: the standard use of so -called active side cheeks in the front seats, which give additional stopping by air padding during cornering.

The technology is also of high quality: there are three screens in the dashboard. One belongs all by the passenger. The sound system with 20 speakers from the French noble manufacturer Devialet is also not to be scoffed at.

The Z9GT is available in two engine variants: the purely electrical variant should make it with a front engine (230 kW) and two rear engines (240 kW each at up to 21,000 revolutions) to accelerate the car in 3.4 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour. According to the manufacturer, the plug-in hybrid version with a 2.0-liter petrol engine is in no way inferior.

According to Denza, the in-house BYD blade battery with a cell-to-body technology should guarantee a range of up to 630 (e-variant) or 201 kilometers (plug-in hybrid). If you rely on the version with a petrol engine, you should even bring it to up to 1,101 kilometers.

Sensations, attractions

With great pride, Denza mentions a wide variety of security systems: the specialist audience therefore received a demonstration of the skills of the car near Milan. For example, a tire breakdown at speeds of up to 180 kilometers per hour is no longer a danger, since the vehicle reacts to the incident in less than ten milliseconds, adapts torques and power distribution and intervenes with assistance systems.

Of course, the possibilities of the two steering engines on the rear wheels are also mentioned: they can be controlled both independently of one another and independently of the front wheels, which enables one, as it means, « unmatched maneuverability ». In other words: truly circus -ready talent.

The car can rotate on the spot, so to speak, or slide into narrow parking spaces by turning the rear wheels into one of the front wheels in the opposite direction and the other front wheel is blocked. Denza does not deny that this leads to high abrasion wear, but you are relaxed: With 30 missions per day, which would probably be distributed over many weeks in everyday life, the tire set only have to be renewed after 40 days.

Even a tire span at up to 180 kilometers per hour does not throw the Z9 from the track:

On the other hand, the so -called crab gear seems somewhat senseless: here the rear wheels are at the same angle as the front wheels, which, according to Denza, works up to an angle of 15 degrees. With that, explains by means of a visual videos, you can easily get through tight passages. Overall, a turning adius of 4.62 meters is specified, which sounds sensational with a vehicle length of around 5.20 meters.

Unfortunately, extensive test drives were not possible at the European premiere. The journalists present were also not allowed to test the parking facilities themselves. This will probably only be possible if the car will finally land on the continent. Probably with some changes, because you still work on « improvements ».

Denza is still silent about the price, but it will probably be in the upper five -digit range. Where and especially when the car will be available is also questionable. There should be your own sales channels. In the Benelux countries probably only from 2026. Until then it means: wait and drink green tea!