The Denza Z Is the Quickest Four-Seat Production Car Ever Built
China has built an electric supercar that produces more power than a Bugatti Chiron and costs significantly less.
The Denza Z is a new all-electric supercar from Denza, a premium brand owned by Chinese automaker BYD. Denza publicly revealed this car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom on July 9, 2026.
The car sits at the top of Denza’s lineup and competes directly with established European performance cars like the Porsche 911, Mercedes-AMG GT, and Maserati GranTurismo.
The Denza Z combines supercar-level performance with long electric range and extremely fast charging in a package priced well below comparable Western alternatives. It is also one of the clearest signs that Chinese automakers are targeting the highest end of the global car market, not just the affordable segment they are best known for.
Meet the Denza Z
The Denza Z is a four-seater electric grand tourer. It is built on BYD’s new e3 sports car platform and designed by Wolfgang Egger, a veteran automotive designer who previously worked at Alfa Romeo and Audi.
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Three production variants of Denza Z are available at launch:
- The Coupe is the standard hardtop version. It goes from 0 to 62 mph in 2.25 seconds and has a top speed of 186 mph.
- The Spider is the open-top convertible. Its 0 to 62 mph time is 2.3 seconds, making it only marginally slower than the Coupe.
- The Racing variant is the track option. It adds a large rear wing for more aggressive driving. When fitted with optional semi-slick tires, it accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 1.96 seconds and reaches a top speed of 217 mph.
All three share the same tri-motor powertrain.
Performance and Powertrain
The Denza Z uses three electric motors: one at the front axle and two at the rear. The twin rear motors operate independently, enabling electronic torque vectoring. Combined, the three motors produce 1,582hp and 1,240Nm of torque.
The two rear motors can spin to 30,000rpm. The Racing variant ranks among the fastest-accelerating production cars in the world.
Denza also confirmed a Special Edition. It aims to produce over 1,973hp and a 0 to 62 mph time of under 1.7 seconds. The automaker plans to attempt a lap record on the Nürburgring Nordschleife with this variant in autumn 2026.
Battery, Range, and Charging
The Denza Z uses a 76kWh second-generation Blade battery from BYD. Denza quotes a range of up to 254 miles on a full charge.
The standout feature is its charging capability. The car supports BYD’s new Flash Charging system, which can deliver up to 1,500kW of power. This allows the battery to charge from 10 to 97% in approximately nine minutes. To put that in context, most current fast chargers for premium electric cars operate at between 150kW and 350kW. However, BYD’s 1,500kW charging stations are currently rare outside China, so this capability will be limited in practice for European buyers for some time.
Chassis and Suspension
The Denza Z comes with a magnetorheological suspension system called DiSus-M. This system uses metal filaments suspended in the damper fluid, which allows the dampers to change stiffness in milliseconds in response to road conditions. The Coupe and Spider use this same system alongside adaptive air suspension. However, the Racing variant uses lighter coil springs instead.
The battery cells are integrated directly into the chassis structure, which adds rigidity to the car’s body. The braking system has carbon-ceramic discs with six-piston calipers at the front.
Aerodynamics
The front of the car features an S-Duct design, which channels air through the nose and out through the bonnet to increase downforce. Denza claims the full aerodynamic package generates up to 1,060kg of downforce at top speed on the Racing variant.
You can also buy the Racing model with a large, adjustable carbon-fiber rear wing as part of an aero package that provides 2,337 pounds of downforce.
Interior
The cabin is driver-focused, with an 8.9-inch digital instrument display and a 12.8-inch central touchscreen running Google Maps and other integrated services. The steering wheel carries quick-access buttons for driving modes, including a dedicated track mode. The track mode includes telemetry recording and a one-touch drift function.
A Devialet sound system handles audio. Denza also includes a simulated engine sound feature, though the specific sound has not yet been made public.
Storage capacity is reasonable for a supercar: 8.8 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 19.4 cubic feet with them folded. The Racing variant can be ordered without rear seats and with a roll cage.
Pricing
The Denza Z is priced as follows in the United Kingdom:
- Coupe: £142,900
- Spider: £159,900
- Racing: £172,900
European customers will be able to order the car during summer 2026, with first deliveries planned before the end of the year. The Denza Z is not available in the United States due to current trade restrictions on Chinese vehicles.
Final Note
The Denza Z launch is significant for two reasons. First, the performance and technology this car offers at this price point are difficult for established European brands to match today. A Porsche 911 Turbo S, for comparison, produces 650hp and starts above £200,000.
Second, Denza’s presence at Goodwood, with the largest stand in the event’s history according to reports, signals that BYD is not entering the European performance market tentatively. It is investing heavily and aiming for the top.
Whether European buyers embrace a Chinese supercar brand remains to be seen. But on paper, the Denza Z makes a strong case for at least considering it.
