Skip to main content

BYD’s electric supercar beats Porsche on both speed and price [Video]

With a tri-motor setup delivering over 1,500 horsepower, the Denza Z can hit 0 to 62 mph in under 2 seconds. It’s also cheaper than a Porsche 911 Turbo S.

BYD’s new Denza Z beats Porsche on speed and price

Denza is gearing up to go on the offensive in Europe, where it will go head-to-head with premium automakers like Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and BMW.

BYD opened orders for the Denza Z at the Goodwood Festival of Speed last month, starting at £142,900 ($193) in the UK.

The Denza Z is “the world’s first intelligent supercar,” BYD said, equipped with its latest breakthrough technology, batteries, and drive components.

Advertisement - scroll for more content

It’s available in three variants: Coupe, Spider, and Racing. All are based on its e3 platform, which delivers “shattering performance,” BYD said. The setup consists of three electric motors, providing a combined 1,82 horsepower (1,604 PS) and 914 lb-ft (1,240 Nm) of torque.

The flagship Racing variant is the fastest of the group. With the optional semi-slick tires, the Denza Z Racing can hit 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in just 1.96 seconds. It can also reach a top speed of 217 mph (250 km/h).

To see just how fast the BYD’s electric supercar really is, the folks at CarWow got their hands on one to put it to the test. In the video, you can see how quickly the Denza Z accelerates from 0 to 60 mph. It’s so fast that the G-force can pin you to the seat.

Later in the video, you can see other premium features the Denza Z offers, like rear-wheel steering to make parking in tight spots a breeze, along with added exterior and interior design details.

BYD-Denza-Z-Porsche
Denza Z Racing (Source: Denza)

BYD’s new e3 platform is its first with a fully self-developed steer-by-wire system for added control and handling.

It also features BYD’s Disus-M magnetorheological intelligent suspension system, enabling it to “dance,” hop over obstacles, and absorb bumps.

BYD-Denza-Z-Porsche
Denza Z Racing (Source: Denza)

All Denza Z models use a 76 kWh BYD Blade Battery 2.0 battery. The Coupe has a WLTP range of 410 km (254 miles). The Spider and Racing variants get up to 400 km (248 miles) and 380 km (236 miles), respectively.

They all use an 800V architecture with BYD’s new Flash Charging system, enabling the Denza Z’s battery to charge from 10% to 70% in as little as five minutes. To go from 10% to 97%, it takes just nine minutes.

BYD-Denza-Z-interior
Denza Z Coupe interior (Source: Denza)

The Denza Z measures 4,780 mm in length, 1,990 mm in width, and 1,350 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,780 mm, or slightly bigger than a Porsche 911. It’s closer in size to the Mercedes-AMG GT Coupe.

BYD’s electric supercar is not only faster than the Porsche 911 Turbo S, which can hit 0 to 62 mph (to 100 km/h) in as little as 2.5 seconds, but also cheaper.

BYD Denza Z variantStarting Price UKStarting Price ChinaHorsepower0 to 62 mph
Coupe£142,900 ($193,000)680,000 RMB ($100,000)1,582 hp (1,604 PS)2.25 seconds
Spider£159,900 ($216,000)780,000 RMB ($115,000)1,582 hp (1,604 PS)2.30 seconds
Racing£172,900 ($234,000)1.18 million RMB ($175,000)1,582 hp (1,604 PS)1.96 seconds
BYD Denza Z price, horsepower, and 0-62 mph time by trim in the UK

The Porsche 911 Turbo S starts at £199,100 ($270,000). That’s even more than the Denza Z Racing, priced from £172,900 ($234,00).

In China, the Denza Z is about half the cost of that in Europe, starting at just 680,000 RMB ($100,000) for the Coupe Hardtop. The Spider and Racing trims start at 780,000 RMB ($115,000) and 1.18 million RMB ($175,000).

After launching the Denza Z, BYD said that “global pre-orders are booming,” with over 1,000 in just five days.

Which one would you drive? The Denza Z or Porsche 911 Turbo S? Let us know your pick in the comments.

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.

Stay up to date with the latest content by subscribing to Electrek on Google News. You’re reading Electrek— experts who break news about Tesla, electric vehicles, and green energy, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow Electrek on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Don’t know where to start? Check out our YouTube channel for the latest reviews.

Comments

Author

Avatar for Peter Johnson Peter Johnson

Peter Johnson is covering the auto industry’s step-by-step transformation to electric vehicles. He is an experienced investor, financial writer, and EV enthusiast. His enthusiasm for electric vehicles, primarily Tesla, is a significant reason he pursued a career in investments. If he isn’t telling you about his latest 10K findings, you can find him enjoying the outdoors or exercising