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BYD’s 1,000+ hp drop-top luxury EV spotted undisguised [Images]

BYD is already calling it the world’s first intelligent electric supercar. Packing over 1,000 hp, the Denza Z can sprint from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under 2 seconds, and it’s about to go head-to-head with Porsche, Ferrari, and other luxury brands in Europe.

BYD gears up to launch the Denza in July

After unveiling the Denza Z at the Beijing Auto Show in April, BYD said it was “a watershed moment for the global auto industry,” as it gears up to take on the multi-billion-dollar luxury supercar market.

The segment has long been dominated by European brands like Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz, but BYD believes it may have an edge.

Former Lamborghini and Audi designer, Wolfgang Egger, now BYD’s global design director, led the design, tailoring it for the European market.

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The design features BYD’s latest “Pure Emotion” theme, with added carbon-fiber bodywork, seats, and other components to reduce weight. It also features air ducts on the hood to provide “ground-hugging flight” and improve downforce while driving at high speeds.

With BYD planning to officially launch the Denza Z next month at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the electric hypercar was spotted undisguised in near-production form.

The new images from ThinkerCar (shown above) offer a closer look at the hardtop version. It will also be available with a soft top, alongside a souped-up track edition model.

A few weeks ago, we caught a glimpse of what appears to be the track-edition model racing around the Nürburgring, thanks to spy images from @WilcoBloc (shown below).

Based on the same e3 platform as the Denza Z9 GT, the drop-top version will be equipped with three electric motors, delivering a combined output of over 1,000 hp (750 kW), which BYD said will enable it to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in under 2 seconds.

It will also feature BYD’s new Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging system, enabling a full recharge (10% to 97%) in just nine minutes.

BYD has yet to reveal the full details, but the Denza Z will likely offer a WLTP driving range of around 599 km (372 miles), similar to the GT version.

The Denza Z9 GT is available to preorder in Europe, starting at €115,000 ($134,500), including VAT. The Z will likely cost slightly more.

It’s available in both purely electric (EV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrains. The EV variant uses a 122.49 kWh battery pack and three electric motors, delivering a combined 1,140 hp (850 kW) and a WLTP range of up to 599 km (372 miles).

Leading up to its global launch next month, expect to see more near-production models out for testing.

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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