Chinese rival to Maserati Grancabrio Folgore is an electric 2+2 roadster with huge power reserves
Specifications for the new Denza Z have been disclosed in Chinese regulatory filings, revealing the electric supercar will pack a huge 1582bhp.
The 2+2 roadster was previously revealed at the Beijing motor show as the BYD-owned luxury brand’s new flagship.
Denza has said it will be capable of sprinting from 0-62mph in less than 2.0sec – as fast as the Rimac Nevera – and its top speed has now been revealed as 217mph.
The Z weighs 2650kg in soft-top form or 2580kg with a metal roof.
It will also be offered with a sporting package that adds a large rear spoiler and boosts the top speed from the standard 186mph to its full potential.
Shaped by BYD’s chief designer Wolfgang Egger (whose previous works include the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione), the Z remains true to the concept car that was shown in last year with smooth surfacing and a cab-forward silhouette.
Inside the show car’s brightly decorated cabin, with turquoise and yellow upholstery, it departs from BYD convention in gaining a smattering of physical controls on the dash and squared-off steering wheel – including what look to be drive mode and suspension adjustment functions.
Exposed carbonfibre in the centre console and in the backs of the bucket seats further nod to the Z’s sporting remit.
Unusually, Denza will launch the Z first in Europe, as it aims to establish a foothold for its fledgling premium brand in a market historically dominated by the British and German stalwarts, before starting sales in its home market.
The Z is powered by three electric motors (two on the rear axle, one up front). It is also equipped with a steer-by-wire system, four independently controlled electric motors and the same ‘DiSus-M’ magnetorheological suspension as the wild Yangwang U9 hypercar.
This will give the four-seater the same predictive damping technology that primes the chassis for upcoming changes in the road surface, but it’s unconfirmed whether it will be able to jump into the air on command, like the U9.
Denza has yet to give a steer on pricing, but the Z’s closest rival on paper would be the Maserati Granturismo Folgore, which starts at around £180,000.
The brand could look to undercut the established competition with its new super-GT, but it will naturally cost significantly more than the new Denza Z9 GT, which is tipped to start at around £100,000 when it lands in the next few months.
