Automobile Desk: The premium electric segment of the Indian automobile market is entering a new phase today. The high-end luxury brand 'Denza' of the leading Chinese car manufacturer BYD (Build Your Dreams) is officially knocking in India today i.e. on 13 November 2026. With this new beginning, the company is going to simultaneously introduce two powerful electric vehicles – 'Z9 GT' and 'D9'. Both these models will be completely manufactured abroad (via CBU route) and will hit the Indian roads, due to which their price has also been kept in the ultra-luxury category. According to market experts, the ex-showroom price of the sporty looking Z9 GT can be around Rs 1.2 crore to Rs 1.5 crore, while the family oriented D9 can be available in a budget of around Rs 90 lakh.
Started in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and German giant Mercedes-Benz, the command of this brand is now completely in the hands of BYD. Denza has been positioned well above BYD's existing vehicles in India. The company directly aims to attract buyers who place their bets on luxury cars priced above Rs 80 lakh. For this, exclusive showrooms apart from BYD's normal outlets have been prepared across the country. In the initial phase, the company will offer the option of only pure electric vehicles to Indian customers.
Denza Z9 GT: An unmatched combination of speed and modern technology
If we talk about Denza Z9 GT, then it is a 4-door 'shooting brake' style car, which will be the first model of its kind in the Indian market. Its front end looks like a sleek sedan, but the sloping roofline at the rear gives it a sporty hatchback look. The cabin of this car with a long body of 5,180 mm and wheelbase of 3,125 mm is very high-tech. There are three large screens on the dashboard, including a 17.3-inch main touchscreen in the middle and 13.2-inch displays on either side. The front seats come with ventilation, heating and massage comfort. Apart from this, 20 speaker Devialet sound system, four-zone climate control, Augmented Reality (AR) head-up display and Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) make it special. Its most surprising feature is the rear-wheel steering, thanks to which this heavy car can move diagonally on the road like a crab and can rotate 360 degrees while standing in place.
On the performance front, Z9 GT is no less than a supercar. It has a large 122.5kWh battery, which powers three electric motors. This setup produces a total of 1,140bhp of power and 1,210Nm of torque. The company claims that this car accelerates from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in the blink of an eye i.e. in just 2.7 seconds and its top speed is 270kmph. Once fully charged, it can travel up to 600 kilometers as per WLTP standards. In the global market, it supports 1,500kW ultra-fast DC charging, which charges the battery from 10 to 97 percent in just 9 minutes, although the charging speed of the Indian model is yet to be revealed.
Denza D9: 7-seater electric MPV for royal travel
The Denza D9, on the other hand, has been specifically designed for large families and corporate giants who want first-class travel comfort. This 7-seater electric MPV comes with a seating arrangement of 2+2+3. Very comfortable captain seats have been installed in its second row, which have features like heating, ventilation and massage with electric adjustment. To make entry and exit easier in the car, power sliding doors and electric tailgate have been provided. There are also separate screens and control panels for entertainment for the rear passengers. Its cabin has a 15.6-inch main infotainment system, 10.25-inch digital driver display, 14-speaker Dynaudio audio system, panoramic sunroof, ambient lighting and 360 degree camera.
Talking about powertrain, D9 has a battery pack of 103.36kWh. Its front-wheel drive (FWD) variant offers a range of 520 kilometers on a single charge, while the all-wheel drive (AWD) version is capable of running up to 480 kilometers.
Which giants will there be competition with in the Indian market?
Due to its unique design, the Denza Z9 GT currently has no direct rivals in India, however, it will emerge as a strong alternative to the BMW i5 M60 for those looking for a fast electric car. At the same time, in the luxury MPV segment, Denza D9 will compete directly with MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire. With an expected price of around Rs 90 lakh, the D9 will slot in between the electric MG M9 priced at Rs 79.95 lakh and the hybrid technology Toyota Vellfire.