Denza, the luxury brand under Chinese carmaker BYD, has announced its entry into India through a recent social media post.

This confirms the previously reported plans for BYD to bring its luxury arm to the Indian market in the coming months. The report also contained details of the brand's first two models for the local market.

India entry announcement

A recent social media post from Denza India shows the brand's blue-and-silver hourglass-style logo with "Arriving soon" written above it. The caption states that the brand is set to introduce a "high-performance EV offering" to the Indian market. Denza models will be positioned above those offered by BYD, particularly in the price segment above Rs. 8 million (US$ 83,150).

Denza was founded in 2010 as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz Group. By 2024, Mercedes-Benz Group had relinquished its entire shareholding in the brand and transferred ownership to BYD. It currently operates in markets including South-East Asia, China, Australia, Europe and Latin America, offering EVs and plug-in hybrids.

Which Denza cars are coming to India?

Z9 GT

The Z9 GT is a four-door shooting brake and is expected to be the only model of its type in the Indian market. It comes with a 122.5kWh battery pack powering three electric motors that produce a combined 1,172 PS, with power sent to all four wheels. The 0-100kph sprint is claimed to take 2.7 seconds, while the top speed is rated at 270kph. The Z9 GT has a WLTP-rated range of 600km and can be charged at up to 1,500 kW. At this charging rate, the battery can be charged from 10 to 97% in nine minutes.

Rear-wheel steering is also available, enabling features such as the 'crab walk', which allows the Z9 GT to move sideways, and 'Compass Turn 360 degrees', which can rotate the car through a full circle, similar to the G-Turn function available on the Mercedes G-Class Electric.

Inside, the Z9 GT features a triple-screen dashboard setup, along with two additional screens that display feeds from the exterior cameras. Other features include Level 2+ ADAS, full leather upholstery, a 20-speaker Devialet sound system, and powered, heated, ventilated and massaging front seats. The Z9 GT is expected to be priced in the Rs. 12 million-Rs. 15 million range.

D9

The second model is the D9, a large MPV that will compete with models such as the MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire. The India-specification D9 is likely to receive a 103 kWh battery pack with a front-mounted motor producing 317 PS and 360 Nm. The D9 has a WLTP-rated range of 520km and can be charged at up to 200 kW using DC charging.

Inside, the D9 features a 2+2+3 seating layout, with second-row captain's chairs offering electric adjustment, heating, ventilation and massage functions. Other equipment includes three-zone climate control, powered thigh extenders, a Dynaudio sound system, full leather upholstery and ambient lighting. The D9 is expected to be priced at around Rs. 9 million, placing it between the MG M9 and Toyota Vellfire.