That was quick. Just a day after announcing job openings for its Kuala Lumpur and Penang outlets, Denza Sime Motors has revealed that the Denza D9 electric MPV is open for booking. This is in line with the planned timeframe for an introduction of BYD’s premium brand in the first quarter of the year and hints that the car will be launched very soon.
For those not familiar, the D9 is a luxury electric MPV that competes with the likes of the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire and the Zeekr 009. Measuring 5,250 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall, the Denza is longer and taller but narrower than the 009, while its 3,110 mm wheelbase is about 100 mm shorter; both dwarf the circa-five-metre-long Toyota twins.
In China, the D9 is available both as a full EV and a plug-in hybrid, but we’re putting our money on the electric version coming here, as that’s the only one sold overseas. Two variants are available in other markets, the first being a front-wheel-drive model that puts out 313 PS (230 kW) and 360 Nm of torque, enabling it to get from zero to 100 km/h in 9.5 seconds.
The all-wheel-drive version adds a rear motor for a total output of 374 PS (275 kW) and 470 Nm, shaving over two and a half seconds off the century sprint, in which it completes in 6.9 seconds.
Both models come with a 103 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that delivers a WLTP-rated range of 520 km for the base model and 480 km with AWD. The car accepts up to 166 kW of DC fast charging and 11 kW of AC charging power. The D9 is also equipped with BYD’s DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System, adding adaptive dampers.
Malaysian specifications should closely mirror those of the Thai market, where the D9 comes fully decked out with features such as a 10.25-inch digital instrument display, a 15.6-inch (non-rotatable, unlike BYD’s screens) infotainment touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four-way power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs with lumbar adjustment, ventilation and massage functions, three 50-watt Qi wireless chargers for the first and second rows and a 14-speaker Dynaudio sound system.
Other bits of standard kit in the Land of Smiles include automatic LED head- and taillights, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, powered front and sliding doors, keyless entry, push-button start, a panoramic glass sunroof, triple-zone climate control, real wood trim, power-adjustable and ventilated front seats, four-way manually-adjustable third-row seats and a powered tailgate. The AWD model adds front seat massage and driver’s side memory, Nappa leather upholstery, suede headlining and a digital rear-view mirror.
Denza claims the D9 can seat seven 180 cm tall adults and swallow up to seven 20-inch suitcases and seven business backpacks. Sound insulation has also been touted, with noise levels kept at just 64.6 dBA when cruising at 120 km/h.
As for safety, the D9 is fitted with eight airbags and the usual raft of driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, front and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, rear collision warning, a door opening warning, a driver attention monitor and automatic high beam.
No information on Malaysian pricing has been released just yet, but expect the D9 to be priced similarly to the Thai-market version. There, the car is being offered at a promotional price of 1,999,900 baht (RM262,700) for the regular Premium version and 2,699,900 baht (RM354,700) for the Performance AWD until the end of the month. Read more about the Denza brand here.
GALLERY: Denza D9 RHD in Changsha
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