BYD’s luxury brand Denza has launched one of its most ambitious vehicles yet: a seven-seat, 710 kW electric SUV, the so-called N9.
Unveiled at the Guangzhou Motor Show, the electric N9 fits well into the full-size SUV category, with dimensions of 5258mm long, 2030mm wide and 1830mm high and a wheelbase of 3125mm.
Car news China reports that it is in the form of an electric vehicle (EV) powered by a trio of electric motors with a combined power of 710 kW.
The N9 will feature BYD’s Blade battery technology, although battery specifications have not yet been announced.
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A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the N9 will reportedly also be available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, alongside a 200kW motor on the front axle and a pair of 240kW motors on each rear corner.
The combined power of the PHEV will be 680 kW, while a 47 kWh lithium iron phosphate leaf battery will give it an electric driving range of 165 km.
Unlike many seven-seat SUVs, the N9 uses a 2-2-3 seating layout, with captain’s chairs in the second row.
The example shown at the Guangzhou show featured blackout windows to hide the N9’s interior for the time being.
The exterior of the N9 has a square appearance, with horizontal lighting elements at the front and rear that accentuate its width. However, the strong shoulder lines mean it doesn’t look as boxy as other recent Chinese SUVs.
The SUV is one of three flagship models that will be built on Denza’s e3 platform, alongside the Z9 sedan and Z9 GT wagon.
EVDirect, BYD’s local distributor, has confirmed that the Denza luxury brand will launch in Australia in 2025, although it has yet to confirm which vehicles will be offered here.
If the N9 were to be sold Down Under, it would likely compete with vehicles like the plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90 and the electric Kia EV9.
Denza was originally a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, although the latter sold its stake in the brand in September.
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