2026 Denza Z isn’t here to mess about

BYD has shown off its new production-spec 2026 Denza Z hypercar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed; a tri-motor electric Ferrari-slayer packing 1180kW/1200Nm and capable of launching from 0-100km/h in 2.0 seconds… and there’s a faster version still to come.

Those peak power outputs apply to all three core Z variants, as does the 74kWh Blade battery pack, however there is some variance in the 0-100km/h times and top speeds.

The base Z Coupe and Spider will hit the tonne in a claimed 2.3 seconds and push on to 300km/h while the Z Racing, fitted with optional semi-slick tyres, trims the launch time to 2.0 seconds flat and lifts the top speed to 349km/h.

It doesn’t stop there though, because the upcoming Z Special Edition will produce more than 1470kW and stop the clock in a claimed 1.7 seconds thanks in part to “track-grade enhanced thermal management”.

Supporting the immense powertrain – across the range – is a fully adaptive chassis that’s air-sprung on the base models and coil-sprung on the Racing, with the go counteracted by drilled carbon ceramic rotors clamped by six-piston front callipers and four-piston rears.

The Racing features the same stoppers as the lesser variants but offers 32 per cent better cooling efficiency thanks to its unique aero package and bumper designs that also increase motor cooling by 50 per cent.

Headline equipment on the new Chinese hypercar includes an 8.9-inch digital instrument panel, a 12.8-inch infotainment system, Google built-in, wireless smartphone-charging pad, heated, ventilated and massaging eight-way power-adjustable front seats, a Devialet sound system, folding rear seats, power-assisted soft-closing doors, vehicle-to-load (V2L) and a digital rearview mirror.

Flash Charging capabilities (up to 1500kW) also feature and can supposedly provide a 10-70 per cent top-up in five minutes – 11kW is the maximum AC rate.

The WLTP range varies from 409km in the Z Coupe to 380km in the Racing, with the Z Spider splitting the difference at 400km.

We’re yet to learn of any local plans for the 2026 Denza Z, but BYD has already launched the speed machine in the UK where it’s priced from £142,900 to £172,900 depending on the variant, the equivalent of $276,000 to $334,000 plus on-road costs.

Having been partially developed there anyway, the Z Special Edition will attempt a Nürburgring lap record in the coming months – the EV lap record currently stands at 6:55.533 and is held by the Porsche Taycan Turbo GT with Manthey Kit.

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