We hit the track to see if the Denza Z9 GT has the dynamic chops to worry the Porsche Panamera
Chinese carmakers are often accused of copying their European rivals, but with this – well, the tables could be turning.
The Z9 GT is the flagship model from Denza – BYD’s premium sub-brand – and arrives in Europe later this year. It is, undeniably, Porsche-adjacent.
Previously, this estate might have been considered a direct rival to the Panamera Sport Turismo and Taycan Sport Turismo. However, Porsche revealed earlier this month that it is considering merging the Taycan and Panamera into a single model line-up, offering petrol, plug-in hybrid and fully electric variants. So, perhaps BYD is ahead of the curve this time around.
The Z9 GT is sold as a saloon in China, but only the estate is bound for the UK. It is available as a 933bhp tri-motor EV too – but our test drive was in the PHEV on the Goodwood’s circuit.
This powertrain pairs a 204bhp 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with a 268bhp front electric motor and two 295bhp rear electric motors, delivering a combined output of 858bhp. The engine exists primarily to charge the battery that powers the motors, although it can drive the wheels directly at higher speeds.
Inside, the cabin closely resembles that of the Denza B5, which is also en route to the UK. There are three enormous screens: one for the driver, one for the passenger and a massive central display – presumably to be shared. The bulky, airline-style gear selector will be replaced by a column-mounted shifter for the UK market to free up space. At the time, the deep plum interior colour seemed odd; on reflection, it is truly bizarre. Not in an unpleasant way, but I simply cannot imagine a European buyer choosing it. The interior – like the rest of the car – is not to UK specification, but the requisite quality is certainly present.
Pulling onto the home straight from the pits, there is an immediate kick. It doesn’t quite feel like 850-odd bhp, but then the car weighs close to three tonnes. Braking for Madgwick corner, I discover that the brakes are robust, offering a fluidity and communicative feedback that breeds confidence. Turn-in is keen, with the steering in Sport mode verging on heavy. Feedback is perhaps a touch too muted, however, and I would appreciate a bit more sensation coming through the steering wheel into my digits.
The fast right-hander of Fordwater proves its high-speed stability – it feels remarkably tied down here – while the tight left-hander of St Mary’s tests the grip of the all-season tyres. Accelerating through Lavant, I deliver a sudden heave of power which yields a strong serving of understeer, swiftly followed by a heavy intervention from the traction control.
The battery was low on charge to begin with, and by the time I reached the Lavant Straight on the next lap, I was entirely out of juice. With the petrol engine now providing direct propulsion, the CVT is left to do its thing, resulting in a proper, old-school moo and a distinct lack of speed.
Pulling back into the pits is a tight manoeuvre, but one the Z9 handles with surprising ease thanks to an aggressive rear-wheel-steering setup that allows the rear wheels to turn by up to 10 degrees at low speeds.
The Z9 GT is a very different proposition to a Panamera. It is a lot softer and a little less sporty, yet it retains a genuine bite of performance. With no UK price set, it is hard to draw direct comparisons, but if Denza can persuade brand-conscious premium buyers to look past the badge, they may be pleasantly surprised.
