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A production version of the Porsche 911-rivalling Denza Z coupe has been spotted undergoing testing at the Nurburgring.
Electric Cars
BYD’s luxury brand, Denza, is preparing to launch a sports car with serious performance credentials.
The Denza Z, first shown in April 2025, has been spotted at the Nurburgring undergoing testing.
With the infamous race circuit doubling as a proving ground where some of the world’s most capable sports cars are honed, it appears Denza isn’t just aiming for attention-grabbing styling, but is setting the Denza Z up with genuine performance capability.
BYD kept performance details of the Denza Z under wraps when it revealed the car at the 2025 Shanghai motor show.
At the time, BYD claimed the Denza Z would be the most powerful Denza or BYD model yet, meaning the sleek coupe is likely to outgun the three-motor, 710kW Denza Z9 GT already on sale.
BYD did, however, exclude its luxury arm Yangwang from that claim, with the multi-record-setting Yangwang Up producing 960kW in standard guise, or 2220kW in the high-performance U9 Xtreme.
While the Denza Z is unlikely to dethrone the flagship Yangwang U9, it is expected to implement some of the U9’s engineering.
When first revealed, BYD claimed the Denza Z would feature steer-by-wire technology, removing the mechanical connection between the steering wheel and front wheels, and allowing the steering wheel to fold away.
BYD also confirmed DiSus-M suspension, a magnetorheological suspension control system developed specifically for use in electric vehicles.
Air and hydraulic versions of BYD’s DiSus suspension are already in use across the range, showcasing a variety of individual wheel control and road-scanning technologies.
The full extent of those systems, and their implementation on the production version, remains to be seen, but if BYD is serious about tackling the established supercar class, it will have to deliver a steer-by-wire system that provides lag-free inputs and genuine driving feel.
Without a distinct styling heritage to draw on, the Denza Z appears to blend Lamborghini-inspired headlights with the softer, flowing bodywork of a McLaren 750S or GT.
The concept previewed what appeared to be a production-ready form, and the car spied testing shows minimal differences from the show car.
A deep front splitter, massive air intakes to supply fresh air to the motor, battery, and brake cooling, and a prominent rear wing have all made their way from the show stand to the prototype.
The rear wing is held by static mounts and appears to go without active adjustment.
A massive set of carbon-ceramic brake rotors and six-piston brake calipers are visible, but the test car is shod in a set of Giti GitiSport GTR tyres, rather than a high-performance tyre from Michelin, Pirelli or Continental, as is usually seen on European supercars.
It’s not yet known if a right-hand drive version of the Denza Z is in development, nor if the company has any plans to introduce the model here.
The Denza Z is expected to go into production in 2026, with full details to be revealed closer to launch.
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Kez Casey migrated from behind spare parts counters to writing about cars over ten years ago. Raised by a family of automotive workers, Kez grew up in workshops and panel shops before making the switch to reviews and road tests for The Motor Report, Drive and CarAdvice.
