BYD’s luxury brand Denza has launched one of its most ambitious vehicles yet – an electric seven-seat SUV with 710kW of power, called the N9.
Unveiled at the Guangzhou motor show, the electric N9 well and truly fits into the full-sized SUV category, measuring 5258mm long, 2030mm wide, and 1830mm high with a wheelbase of 3125mm.
Car News China reports that in electric vehicle (EV) form, it’s powered by a trio of electric motors with a combined output of 710kW.
The N9 will feature BYD’s Blade battery technology, although battery specifications have not yet been announced.
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A plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the N9 will also reportedly be available with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, in addition to a 200kW motor on the front axle and a pair of 240kW motors at each rear corner.
Combined outputs for the PHEV will be 680kW, while a 47kWh lithium iron phosphate blade battery pack gives it a claimed electric driving range of 165km.
Unlike many seven-seat SUVs, the N9 utilises a 2-2-3 seating layout, with captain’s chairs in the second row.
The example displayed at the Guangzhou show was fitted with blackout windows, so as to disguise the interior of the N9 for the time being.
The N9’s exterior has a squared-off look, with horizontal lighting elements front and rear that accentuate its width. However, strong shoulder lines stop it looking as boxy as other recent Chinese SUVs.
The SUV one of three flagship models that will be built on Denza’s e3 platform, joining the Z9 sedan and Z9 GT wagon.
EVDirect, BYD’s local distributor, has confirmed the luxurious Denza brand will be launching in Australia during 2025, though it has yet to confirm which vehicles will be offered here.
If the N9 were to be sold Down Under, it would likely compete with vehicles such as the plug-in hybrid Volvo XC90 and electric Kia EV9.
Denza was originally a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz, although the latter sold its stake in the brand back in September.