Denza, the premium electric-vehicle brand jointly owned by BYD and Mercedes-Benz, has opened small deposits for its new N8 SUV, with a formal launch planned for November. The N8 is positioned as a technology-focused five-seat SUV, and the battery-electric (BEV) version will be the first to hit the market, followed later by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant.
Range and charging take centre stage
According to Gasgoo, the N8 is equipped with BYD's second-generation blade battery and flash-charging technology. Two battery sizes are offered: 130.15 kWh and 105.792 kWh, enabling CLTC range ratings of 1,003 km, 970 km, 840 km and 800 km. Note that CLTC figures are typically 15-20% more optimistic than the WLTP standard, so a WLTP estimate for the top version would be roughly 800-850 km (est.).
Denza claims the vehicle can add significant range in minutes, with a 10% to 97% charge taking just 9 minutes. In extremely cold conditions of minus 30 degrees Celsius, charging time increases by only 3 minutes, according to the company. The upcoming PHEV version will offer an electric-only range of 435 km on the CLTC cycle.
Powerful drivetrain and luxury cabin
The N8 measures 5,150 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width and 1,820 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,075 mm. It features a five-seat layout and a boot capacity of 1,046 litres. Buyers can choose between a rear-mounted single-motor rear-wheel-drive setup and a three-motor all-wheel-drive configuration. The tri-motor version delivers a combined system output of 890 kW (about 1,194 hp) and includes features such as a "compass turn" and intelligent creep mode.
Inside, the N8 boasts a 30-inch panoramic screen and a 1.1-metre-wide PHUD head-up display. Four zero-gravity seats are fitted, with the front seats reclining up to 165 degrees. The cabin also includes a Devialet audio system, a built-in refrigerator and rear-seat entertainment screens.
For driver assistance, the N8 comes with the "God's Eye 5.0" system, paired with Yunian-A intelligent air suspension and rear-wheel steering. As competition intensifies in the mid-to-large new-energy SUV segment, the final pricing and real-world range of the N8 will be key factors in its market performance.