China’s BYD is positioning its Denza brand at the top of the range race with a major upgrade to the Z9 GT. The company says the new all-electric model can travel up to 644 miles on a single charge under the CLTC testing cycle, making it, by its claim, the world’s longest-range production EV.
That represents a significant jump from the current Z9 GT, which offers up to 391 miles under the same standard – an improvement of roughly 64%.
Regulatory filings published earlier this month in China outline two battery options for the updated model: 102.326 kWh and 122.496 kWh. These packs are rated to deliver between 509 and 644 miles of CLTC driving range, depending on configuration.
Standard Denza Z9 may top 660 miles of range
Beyond the Z9 GT, Denza’s standard Z9 sedan may ultimately claim the true range crown. Using the same battery packs, the standard Z9 is rated for up to 664 miles under the CLTC cycle – a figure that would surpass the Z9 GT’s maximum estimate. However, Denza has not formally positioned it as the world’s longest-range EV.
The new Z9 GT will continue to be offered in both fully electric and plug-in hybrid configurations. The updated plug-in hybrid variants will feature a 63.82 kWh battery pack, delivering more than 248 miles of all-electric range under CLTC testing – nearly double the 125-mile electric range of the current Z9 GT plug-in hybrid.
In addition to its range upgrades, the latest Denza model integrates BYD’s next-gen driver assistance architecture, branded as God’s Eye 5.0. The system underpins a suite of advanced driver assistance features designed to enhance both urban and highway driving.
Among its core capabilities is Navigate on Autopilot (NOA), which supports guided driving in city traffic as well as on controlled-access highways. The platform also includes Automatic Emergency Steering (AES), enabling the vehicle to actively intervene with steering inputs to help avoid potential collisions when braking alone may not be sufficient.
Denza enters new era with the launch of the Z9 GT
Denza formally stepped into its next phase as a standalone brand with the debut of the Z9 GT on September 20, 2024. The model marked the company’s first flagship grand touring sports car following its transition to independent operations, signaling a strategic shift toward premium positioning and higher-end performance vehicles.
Founded in February 2011, Denza began as a 50–50 joint venture between China’s BYD and Germany’s Daimler, combining BYD’s battery and EV expertise with Daimler’s premium automotive engineering.
In February 2022, Daimler officially rebranded as Mercedes-Benz, aligning the corporate identity more closely with its flagship automotive brand. The shift marked a broader strategic transformation within the German automaker, even as Denza’s ownership structure and long-term direction continued to evolve in the years that followed.
Control of Denza shifted decisively toward BYD in 2022, when the Chinese automaker raised its ownership stake to 90%, leaving Mercedes-Benz with a minority 10% share. The move effectively positioned Denza under BYD’s strategic direction, aligning the brand more closely with its expanding EV portfolio.
