BYD Denza Z9 GT adds affordable 1,140 hp tri-motor variant
The luxury shooting brake expands its lineup with a new 'e3' trim designed to bridge the pricing gap between flagship and performance models.
BYD’s luxury sub-brand Denza is launching a more affordable tri-motor variant of the Z9 GT shooting brake on September 9, 2026. The move aims to broaden the appeal of the high-performance electric vehicle by lowering the entry price for its most powerful powertrain.
The new 'e3' trim is expected to be priced between 329,800 and 339,800 yuan, approximately $49,100 to $50,600. Despite the lower cost, the variant retains the flagship's extreme power output, delivering 850 kW (1,140 hp) and 1,210 N·m of torque. This performance is achieved through a tri-motor configuration consisting of one 230 kW front motor and two 310 kW rear motors. According to Denza General Manager Li Hui, the lower price point is made possible through "more lightweight configuration choices."
Market Positioning
The Denza Z9 GT is positioned as a luxury shooting brake utilizing BYD's e3 platform. It is designed to compete with high-end grand tourers, such as the Porsche Panamera, and has already entered the European market with starting prices around €115,000. The vehicle leverages BYD's proprietary Blade Battery 2.0 and 800V Flash Charging technology, which allows the battery to charge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes.
Strategic Implications
By introducing a lower-cost tri-motor version, BYD is attempting to maintain the Z9 GT's momentum as China's top-selling luxury GT. The new trim fills a strategic pricing void between the RWD Flagship and the high-end e3 Performance models. This allows BYD to offer extreme performance—exceeding 1,100 hp—at a price point that competes more directly with domestic rivals like the Zeekr 001 AWD.
What to Watch
While the core powertrain and pricing expectations are established, the specific luxury features removed to achieve the "lightweight" cost reduction remain to be fully detailed. Market analysts will be watching to see if this aggressive pricing strategy forces other luxury EV manufacturers in China to adjust their pricing for high-output AWD variants. Official confirmation of the final feature list is expected upon the September 9 launch.