BYD’s premium brand Denza has unveiled the Z9 GT, claiming more than 1,000 km of range on China’s CLTC test cycle – a new benchmark for production electric cars.
In a post on Weibo, the company shared an image with the caption: “Denza Z9 GT: The All-New Denza Z9 GT – The world’s longest-range pure electric model.”
Crossing the 1,000 km mark is symbolically significant and, while based on China’s more generous CLTC test cycle, would likely translate to well over 800 km on the WLTP standard.
Reports from China last month revealed key specs for the new Denza Z9 GT model, as part of the approval documents submitted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT).
This upcoming Z9 model will come with two new batteries, using BYD’s lithium iron phosphate (LFP) blade batteries with capacities of 102 kWh and 122 kWh.
The larger 122 kWh pack delivers up to 1,036 km on CLTC, while the tri-motor version drops slightly to 1,002 km
due to added power.
Specs also showed that the model will be available in both single and tri-motor versions. The single-motor version will come with a 370 kW rear-wheel-drive configuration, while the tri-motor version will have a combined power output of 850 kW.
New wheel designs are aimed at reducing cabin noise, while an integrated roof-mounted lidar forms part of Denza’s “God’s Eye” advanced driver assistance system.
Having driven the current-generation Z9 GT in Shenzhen last year, I found it more comfort-focused than outright sporty, positioning it as a long-distance tourer rather than a track weapon.
The performance figures for touring and daily driving in the Z9 GT are still well above pretty much anything else available in the Australian market.
With Denza’s D9 already approved for sale in Australia, the Z9 GT could follow if the premium brand expands its local lineup.
With rapid battery development, 1,000 kW charging claims and now four-digit range figures, BYD is accelerating its technological push and reshaping expectations around what mainstream EVs can deliver.
Riz is the founder of carloop based in Melbourne, specialising in Australian EV data, insight reports and trends. He is a mechanical engineer who spent the first 7 years of his career building transport infrastructure before starting carloop. He has a passion for cars, particularly EVs and wants to help reduce transport emissions in Australia. He currently drives a red Tesla Model 3.