Denza, the premium new-energy vehicle brand co-owned by BYD and Mercedes-Benz, has opened reservations for its N8 large five-seat SUV in China, according to NetEase Auto. The model, which will officially launch in November, is the first to feature the company's new Yi Sanfang Evo platform, second-generation blade battery and flash-charging technology, as well as the Yunian-A dual-chamber closed air suspension and the "God's Eye 5.0" advanced driver assistance system.
Powertrain and range
The N8 is offered in both battery-electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) versions. The BEV variant, available with rear-wheel drive or the Yi Sanfang Evo all-wheel-drive system, boasts a CLTC range of 1,003 kilometers (about 623 miles). For context, the CLTC cycle is generally 15-20% more optimistic than the WLTP standard, so a WLTP-equivalent range would be around 800-850 km (est.). The PHEV version, which also comes with Yi Sanfang Evo, offers a CLTC electric-only range of 435 km (about 270 miles).
The Yi Sanfang Evo platform enables a 0-100 km/h sprint in the 2.9-second range, along with features such as extreme steering, "compass" turns (turning on the spot), and intelligent crab-walk lateral movement. The rear wheels have independent dual motors, giving a turning radius of just 4.5 meters. The N8 rides on the Yunian-A air suspension as standard, which can adjust height, stiffness and damping, and uses a road-preview system to anticipate bumps ahead.
Battery and charging
All N8 versions use the second-generation blade battery and support flash charging. Denza claims the battery can be charged from empty to full in about 9 minutes under normal conditions, or 5 minutes to a usable state, with only an additional 3 minutes needed at -30°C. These figures, while impressive, are based on the company's own claims and may vary in real-world conditions.
The N8 measures 5,150 mm long, 1,999 mm wide and 1,820 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,075 mm. It offers a front trunk of 205 liters and a rear cargo area of 1,046 liters, expanding to 2,150 liters when the second-row seats are folded. The cabin features a 1.1-meter panoramic screen paired with a 30-inch "curtain" display, a 17.3-inch rear entertainment screen, and a 6.8-liter smart refrigerator. The front seats have zero-gravity function, and the second row reclines up to 146 degrees with legrests, heating, ventilation and massage. The seats can also be configured into various bed modes, turning the cabin into a flexible rest space.
For smart driving, the N8 is equipped with "God's Eye 5.0," which uses an end-to-end architecture with reinforcement learning, allowing the system to improve based on real driving data. The AI assistant, named "Didi Xia," can understand vague commands and perform tasks like ordering food or booking hotels. The N8 also offers four exterior colors and four interior themes.
Reservations are now open with a 2,000 yuan deposit (about $282) that can be applied toward a 5,000 yuan (about $704) aesthetic package or a comfort kit including side awning, roof rack crossbars, air mattress and sunshades. The final pricing will be announced at launch. According to NetEase Auto, the N8 is positioned as a large five-seat SUV, a segment where Denza aims to compete with other premium electric SUVs in China.
