BYD’s luxury brand Denza confirmed plans to bring its flagship Z sports car to UK showrooms in 2026. The announcement marks the company’s aggressive push into European luxury markets.
The two-door electric supercar debuted as a concept at Auto Shanghai earlier this year. Denza positioned the Z as a direct competitor to the Mercedes-AMG GT and high-performance Porsche 911 variants.
The Z hits 0-62mph in just 2.7 seconds.
Denza engineers built the Z as a software-defined vehicle featuring by-wire steering, braking, drivetrain, and suspension systems. The car includes what the company calls a “magnetorheological Body Control System” – essentially magnetic field technology that adjusts ride quality for smooth cruising and sharp handling during aggressive driving.
The sports car shares its platform with the upcoming Denza Z9 GT, a shooting brake designed to challenge the Porsche Taycan Cross Turismo. That model packs a tri-motor setup delivering 952bhp, giving a strong indication of the Z’s expected power output.
Advanced Features and Charging Capabilities
Company officials confirmed the Z can perform tank turns – rotating on the spot like the electric Mercedes G-Class. The car also offers semi-autonomous driving capabilities and a dedicated drift mode.
BYD equipped the Z with flash charging technology supporting up to 1,000kW of charging power. That system can add 250 miles of range in five minutes, according to company specifications.
The Z9 GT comes with a 100kW battery delivering 391 miles of range, suggesting similar specs for the flagship Z.
Denza chose the name Z to represent “Zenith” – reflecting its position as the brand’s halo vehicle. However, BYD CEO Stella Li hinted the name might change for UK markets.
UK Launch Strategy
The Z will make its UK debut at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, with pricing announcements expected at the 2026 festival.
Test vehicles have been spotted at the Nürburgring as development continues.
Denza plans to launch four models total in the UK market. Beyond the Z and Z9 GT, the lineup includes the luxury D9 MPV and the B5 SUV – positioned as a Toyota Land Cruiser rival.
The aggressive product rollout represents BYD’s broader strategy to establish Denza as a legitimate luxury brand in European markets dominated by German manufacturers.
