Denza, the luxury brand of Chinese carmaker BYD, has officially announced its entry into India through a social media post. The announcement confirms the brand's plans to enter the Indian market in the coming months, following earlier reports about its India strategy.
Denza is expected to position itself above BYD in the Indian market, particularly in the Rs 80 lakh-plus price range. Its initial India line-up is expected to comprise the Z9 GT and D9.
Denza India Entry Confirmed
Denza's India announcement features its blue-and-silver hourglass-shaped logo along with an "Arriving soon" message. The brand says it plans to bring a "sophisticated, high-performance EV experience" to India.
Denza was established in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz Group. Mercedes-Benz subsequently exited the partnership completely in 2024, transferring its remaining ownership to BYD.
The brand currently operates across markets including Southeast Asia, China, Australia, Europe and Latin America, offering luxury EVs and plug-in hybrids.
Denza Z9 GT
The Denza Z9 GT is a four-door shooting brake and is expected to be the first model of its body style in the Indian market.
It uses a 122.5kWh battery and three electric motors producing a combined 1,156hp, with drive sent to all four wheels. Denza claims a 0-100kph time of 2.7sec and a top speed of 270kph. The Z9 GT has a claimed 600km WLTP range and supports charging at up to 1,500kW. At this charging rate, Denza claims the battery can go from 10 to 97 percent in nine minutes.
Rear-wheel steering is also offered, enabling features including crab walk and Compass Turn 360°, which allows the car to rotate through a full circle.
The cabin gets a triple-screen dashboard layout, along with two additional displays showing feeds from the exterior cameras. Other equipment includes Level 2+ ADAS, full leather upholstery, a 20-speaker Devialet sound system and powered, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats.
The Z9 GT is expected to be priced between Rs 1.2 crore and Rs 1.5 crore.
Denza D9
The second model expected for India is the Denza D9, a large luxury MPV that will compete with models such as the MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire.
The India-spec D9 is expected to use a 103kWh battery and a front-mounted electric motor producing 313hp and 360Nm. It has a claimed 520km WLTP range and supports DC fast charging at up to 200kW.
The D9 gets a 2+2+3 seating configuration, with second-row captain's chairs offering electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage functions. Other equipment includes three-zone climate control, powered thigh extenders, a Dynaudio sound system, full leather upholstery and ambient lighting.
The D9 is expected to be priced at around Rs 90 lakh, placing it between the MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire.