Following the Yangwang U9 in 2024, BYD has introduced another headline-making electric sports car, the Denza Z. We checked out its Racing version at its public debut, which took place at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Here are some of the key observations from our experience.
Design
The Denza Z remains close to the concept introduced in 2025, retaining its seductive, expressive design. It may have mid-engine sports car proportions, but the relatively softer styling gives it somewhat of the character of a grand tourer.
The sharp, blade-like headlights recall those of the iconic Lamborghini Aventador, with which the regular Denza Z coupe shares its overall length. The hood features a wide, centrally positioned vent, while additional louvered vents sit atop the pronounced front fenders behind the headlights.
The Racing version we examined also features a carbon-fiber front splitter. The Denza Z looks even more fluid in profile. Its steeply raked A-pillar, arcing roofline, and tapering C-pillar form a continuous curve, while the sweeping beltline reinforces its sleek, aerodynamic appearance.
Sculpted bodywork, front-fender vents, and muscular rear haunches round out the profile. At the rear, the upper half of the body has a concave surface and incorporates twin diamond-shaped combination lamps, while a prominent diffuser sits below.
The Racing version featured in this story also has a carbon-fiber rear diffuser, which is an optional feature. The track-focused configuration has underfloor vortex generators as well.
Interior
Inside, the Denza Z has several sporty touches, but its dashboard and display layout do not feel sufficiently distinct from those of BYD’s everyday EVs. On the plus side, this familiarity should make the car feel less intimidating.
A slim horizontal fascia stretches across the cabin, incorporating the air vents and a textured passenger-side panel. A freestanding 12.8-inch infotainment touchscreen occupies the center, while a compact 8.88-inch digital instrument cluster sits within a sculpted binnacle.
Denza has retained several physical controls despite the highly digital layout. A row of metallic switches sits below the central display, while the raised center console houses additional controls, a rotary dial, a wireless charging pad, and a cupholder.
The front seats provide eight-way power adjustment, four-way lumbar adjustment, heating, ventilation, and massage. Denza has also integrated speakers into the headrests as part of the 12-speaker Devialet audio system.
Unlike most supercars, the Denza Z has four seats. The rear seats can also be folded, increasing cargo capacity from 250 to 550 liters. The Racing version can alternatively be specified without the rear seats, in which case they are replaced with a roll cage and additional carbon-fiber trim.
Experience in the Denza Z
I spent time in the Denza Z Track Edition Coupe, and its cabin immediately feels focused and sporty. Naturally, getting in requires some care because of the low roofline, so taller occupants will need to watch their head. Once seated, though, the driving position feels suitably racy.
The front seat provides good back support and well-judged side bolstering. However, the seat base is slightly narrow for someone with a broader build like me. With the seat adjusted to my usual driving position for a 6-foot frame, I still had a surprisingly useful 3.1 inches of headroom.
The electrically adjustable thick-rimmed steering wheel also features dedicated physical buttons to engage a boost mode, enable track mode, activate voice control, and perform various other key functions while driving.
The dual-tone finish, red contrast stitching, and carbon-fiber trim across the center console give the cabin a convincing performance-car atmosphere. The pedal box is also well designed, and the dead pedal provided comfortable support.
The center console includes a drive mode button, start-stop button, wireless phone charger, and adjustable cupholders. Beneath the center armrest, there is a small storage box that can hold a phone, wallet, or other personal items.
Another compartment closer to the dashboard provides space for a small bag or electronic device. Neither storage area is especially large, but together they make the cabin reasonably practical for a low-slung sports coupe.
Outward visibility is naturally restricted by the car’s design. The pillars are thick, and the rear roofline slopes sharply, but these compromises are expected in a performance-focused coupe and did not feel out of character.
One particularly useful feature is the comfort-exit function. Pressing the door-release control automatically slides the seat rearward and retracts the steering wheel, making it much easier to climb out of the low cabin. That feature helps offset the otherwise slightly awkward ingress and egress caused by the low roof and sporty seating position.
Specifications
The regular Denza Z coupe is 188.2 in. long, 77.8 in. wide, and 52.4 in. tall. The Racing version we checked out measures 191.7 in. in length, 78.3 in. in width, and 53.1 in. in height.
BYD also offers a Spider version for customers who want the flexibility to enjoy open-air driving. The convertible is just as long and wide as the regular coupe, but measures 53.1 in. in height.
Based on the brand-exclusive e3 Sports Car Platform, the Denza Z sports a 671 hp/325 lb-ft motor on the front axle and two 456 hp/302 lb-ft motors on the rear axle, one for each wheel. Together, these motors produce 1,582 hp and 915 lb-ft of torque.
The Denza Z Racing hits 0 to 62 mph in 2.25 seconds and 0 to 124 mph in 6 seconds, and achieves a top speed of 186 mph. If equipped with semi-slick tires, the 0-62 mph sprint time reduces to 1.96 seconds, and the top speed increases to 217 mph.
Stopping power comes from carbon-ceramic brakes with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. While the regular coupe and convertible have air springs, the Racing version uses coil springs to deliver a more track-focused experience.
The three motors draw energy from BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery, which uses LFP chemistry and cell-to-body construction. It has a capacity of 76 kWh and supports Flash Charging, allowing a 10–97% recharge in as little as nine minutes. It delivers a WLTP range of 236 miles.
Price & Release Date
In the UK, the Denza Z Racing costs GBP 172,900 before options. BYD will start accepting pre-orders in October and likely commence deliveries at the end of 2026.
Given steep tariffs and U.S. restrictions on Chinese connected-vehicle technology, BYD is unlikely to launch the Denza Z or any other passenger vehicle in the country anytime soon.
An automobile engineer by training, I’ve analyzed the global car market since 2005, with a keen focus on EVs since 2008. My journey in online automotive publishing spans 17 years, during which I have reviewed cutting-edge automotive technologies and interviewed leading global CEOs and vehicle developers.
