Denza, the premium brand co-owned by BYD and Mercedes-Benz, has launched its new Z9S battery-electric (BEV) sedan in China, priced from 255,800 to 325,800 yuan (about $36,000 to $45,900) before taxes and incentives. The model is positioned as a tech-luxury electric sedan and is the latest addition to the Denza 9-series family, according to NetEase Auto.
The Z9S is a midsize-to-large fastback with dimensions of 5,090 mm in length, 1,980 mm in width and 1,490 mm in height, on a 3,025-mm wheelbase. It is more compact than the Denza Z9 and is tuned for urban driving and agile handling, the report said.
Powertrain and range
Denza offers two powertrain options. The single-motor rear-drive version uses a 370-kW (496-hp) rear motor and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds. The entry-level Flash Honor trim packs a 102.3-kWh second-generation Blade battery with a CLTC range of 920 km, while the Flash Flagship trim uses a 122.5-kWh pack for a CLTC range of 1,100 km - among the highest for a production electric sedan, the report said. (CLTC figures are typically 15-20% more optimistic than WLTP, so the 1,100-km figure would be roughly 880-935 km WLTP est.)
The top-spec tri-motor "Easy Three" version combines 890 kW (1,194 hp) of peak power, hits 100 km/h in 2.68 seconds and has a CLTC range of 780 km. All versions support megawatt-level fast charging, with a 10% to 97% charge in about 9 minutes, the report said.
The Z9S also features a bidirectional 10-degree split rear-wheel steering system that gives a minimum turning radius of just 4.75 meters, enabling crab-walk and pivot-turn maneuvers. This combines large-car space with small-car agility, a key differentiator, according to NetEase Auto.
Standard equipment and rivals
Standard kit includes the Yunian-A intelligent air suspension with CDC dampers, rear-wheel steering, front four-piston brake calipers and the God's Eye 5.0 lidar-based driver assistance system, which supports city NOA (urban advanced driver assistance), highway pilot and all-scenario automated parking. The cabin features a wrap-around layout, a 7-inch control screen in the rear center armrest, 44 storage compartments and a front trunk.
NetEase Auto compared the Z9S with three rivals in the 250,000-320,000 yuan segment. Against the Xiaomi SU7, the Z9S counters with standard air suspension and rear-wheel steering, a longer 1,100-km CLTC range, faster charging and a larger rear cabin, but loses on weight and the maturity of Xiaomi's software and ecosystem. Against the Huawei-backed Zhijie S7, the Z9S offers stronger tri-motor performance and the crab-walk mode, but the S7's HarmonyOS cabin and Huawei ADS are seen as strengths. Versus the Avatr 12, the Z9S has a lower entry price and standard rear-wheel steering, but the Avatr is considered more design-led and premium in character.
The Z9S targets buyers who value chassis hardware, long range and a luxurious cabin, and its launch raises the equipment benchmark in the 250,000-320,000 yuan electric fastback segment, the report concluded.
