BYD’s premium sub-brand Denza appears to be carving a bold path in the electric vehicle (EV) space—and it's not shy about taking aim at some of Europe’s most iconic sports car makers. After generating buzz with the Z9 GT, an all-electric sedan bearing a striking resemblance to the Porsche Panamera and boasting a powerful tri-motor setup, Denza is now turning heads again with the reveal of the Denza Z. This sleek electric concept coupe is clearly eyeing the territory of the Porsche 911 and the upcoming all-electric 718 Cayman. While Denza is officially referring to the Z as a “concept,” the production-ready appearance and ambitious engineering suggest it may be headed for showrooms in the not-too-distant future.
Stylistically, the Denza Z has echoes of both Porsche and other exotic brands. Although its overall proportions and inclusion of two rear seats are reminiscent of the Porsche 911, the coupe’s aggressive design elements appear inspired by Lamborghini and Lotus. The show car features a sculpted front bumper with a deep splitter, a substantial rear diffuser, and an oversized rear wing. These features are typical of high-performance variants and may be toned down for base production models, but they underscore Denza’s performance ambitions and visual bravado.
In terms of innovation, the Denza Z introduces some intriguing technology. One of its standout features is steer-by-wire, a system that eliminates the physical connection between the steering wheel and the front wheels. This allows for the steering wheel to retract under the dashboard when not in use—an unusual feature in a performance-oriented car but one that reflects growing demand for cars to serve multiple roles, including as mobile workspaces. While traditional driving purists may scoff at the idea, tech-forward customers might find it appealing.
The vehicle also sports a double-wishbone front suspension and uses magnetorheological dampers, which can adjust their firmness in as little as 10 milliseconds based on road conditions. While Denza hasn’t disclosed specifics about the Z’s powertrain, it's reasonable to expect that it might share drivetrain components with the Z9 GT, which boasts a tri-motor setup producing a whopping 952 horsepower.
Denza is making moves well beyond the Chinese market. BYD has confirmed plans to bring Denza to Europe, where it intends to compete directly with high-end automotive brands. This is particularly bold considering Mercedes-Benz originally co-founded the Denza brand with BYD before eventually exiting the partnership. Yet BYD is pressing forward with confidence. In a recent interview with Car Magazine, BYD executive Stella Li asserted that Denza’s new lineup is “ten times better” than the competition—a claim that underscores the company’s ambitious goals and its desire to disrupt the established order in the premium EV space.
If Denza continues this trajectory and brings cars like the Z to production, Porsche and other legacy brands may soon find themselves facing serious new competition—especially as the market for stylish, high-performance EVs continues to heat up.