Denza has partnered with luxury Swiss watchmaker Chopard to create a custom version of its Z9 GT electric sedan for the 2026 amfAR Gala in Cannes. The Chinese premium EV brand – owned by BYD – donated the one-off vehicle to the charity event that raises money for AIDS research.
The collaboration marks another high-profile move as Denza expands across Europe. The brand has signed endorsement deals with former James Bond actor Daniel Craig and 11-time Formula 1 winner Felipe Massa.
BYD confirmed it’s setting up a massive 2,016 square meter display at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. The showcase will feature models from BYD’s UK lineup plus vehicles from Denza and its luxury Yangwang brand.
Custom Interior Features Violet Gemstones
The Denza Z9 GT Chopard – which the companies call a “moving piece of jewellery” – gets wood and leather upholstery throughout. Violet gemstones are embedded in several cockpit controls while Chopard’s signature ‘C’ logo appears embroidered on the headrests.
Drawing on Chopard’s watchmaking history dating to 1860, the custom Z9 GT includes two timepieces. The set features ‘his and her’ watches based on Chopard’s 36mm ‘Happy Sport’ and 41mm ‘Alpine Eagle’ models. Both use what Denza calls “ethical” 18-carat rose gold with snow-set diamonds.
The car’s 17.3-inch infotainment display runs a dedicated Chopard theme. A handcrafted luggage set from Japanese beauty brand Shiro completes the package.
“Our Denza brand made its full debut in Europe at the Palais Garnier in Paris only a few weeks ago, so our collaboration here with Chopard feels entirely appropriate and natural,” said Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president. “The tailor-made Denza Chopard Z9 GT is the perfect example of how the finest technology becomes natural, almost invisible.”
Li added that the partnership shows “how a refined house of luxury can take the finest details and raise them to another level altogether.”
UK Launch This Summer
The standard Denza Z9 GT goes on sale in the UK this summer with pricing just over £100,000.
The electric sedan targets the Porsche Taycan and newly-launched Mercedes AMG EQS 4-Door. Denza’s UK debut packs nearly 1,000 horsepower and delivers 497 miles of range from its 122kWh ‘Blade’ battery – manufactured by parent company BYD.
UK customers will access BYD’s ‘Flash’ charging network when the Z9 GT arrives. The system promises ultra-rapid charging speeds up to 1,500kW – allowing 10-70% charging in just five minutes.
BYD plans to install 300 Flash chargers across the UK by mid-2027.
