At the 2025 Shanghai Auto Show, Denza — BYD’s luxury brand, which has just made its European debut — unveiled a concept car previewing its first four-seater electric coupé, clearly aiming at the Porsche 911.
Boasting a sleek design, it promises top-tier performance thanks to a new electric motor that spins at 30,511 rpm — a record-breaking unit. The production model, whose release date is still unknown, is expected to cost around 300,000 yuan (approximately €36,000). In Europe, it will likely be more expensive, though still undercutting traditional German and European sports cars.
Design inspired by Pininfarina
There’s a hint of the Battista by the famous Italian design house, but aside from that, the Denza Z stands out with its streamlined, sporty look. It features a low stance, a sculpted front end with a pronounced splitter, and sharp headlights that enhance its aggressive style.
The side profile is dominated by a compact two-door body, with a line that narrows sharply past the B-pillar, emphasizing the muscular rear wheel arches. Other notable details include frameless windows, flush door handles, and generously sized wheels. The model will be available in both closed coupé and convertible versions.
The real revolution is under the skin. The Denza Z ditches traditional mechanical systems for steer-by-wire technology — an electronic steering system with no physical connections, governed by advanced AI algorithms. According to Denza, this ensures smoother and more precise handling, whether on the road or the track. While BYD isn’t the first to adopt such a system — we’ve already seen it in Tesla’s Plaid models and the Lexus RZ — it remains to be seen whether Denza can implement it more convincingly.
Adding to the futuristic experience is a foldable steering wheel, designed to enhance cabin space in the event of a crash and improve passive safety. It’s an unprecedented solution that nods to the design of the future and maximizes space efficiency.
The technological heart of the vehicle is the new Disus-M system, an evolution of the already-known Disus-Z. It’s an active body control system based on magnetorheological fluids, capable of reacting to road conditions in under 10 milliseconds. This translates to greater stability in high-speed corners and improved grip in all situations. Denza has confirmed that the Disus-M will be adopted across other upcoming BYD group models.
