BYD Unveils a New Masterpiece: Equipped with 2.0T + 3 Electric Motors and 10 Large Screens, Will It Catch Fire?
Can BYD truly create an SUV that rivals the Land Rover Range Rover? Some say the Yangwang U8 is one such contender, but its design may not appeal to everyone. It relies more on technological and intelligent superiority. Moreover, with a price tag exceeding one million yuan, it's not exactly what you would call a "small beating the big" BYD vehicle. If even the Yangwang U8 couldn't achieve this, who can? Perhaps the Denza N9, set to launch in the first quarter, could be the answer.
The Denza N9 doesn't overdo it with flashy design elements like the Yangwang U8. Its front end maintains a robust feel similar to a Land Rover, featuring integrated headlights, open C-shaped air intakes, and horizontal decorative elements reminiscent of off-road SUVs. Although the Denza N9 isn’t designed specifically for improved off-road capabilities, it visually imparts a rare ruggedness among its peers.
Similarly, the side profile continues this upright design with straight rooflines, window sills, and a flat undercarriage, giving the Denza N9 a commanding presence. The vehicle’s dimensions—5258mm in length, 2030mm in width, and 1830mm in height—along with a 3125mm wheelbase, contribute to a sense of imposing closeness. It’s fair to say it can compete with the Land Rover Range Rover. Of course, the Denza N9 isn’t all about being upright; there are structural changes along the waistline, with undulations near the pillars that prevent the vehicle’s silhouette from appearing too outdated.
From the rear three-quarter view, the Denza N9 avoids the traditional floating roof design. The D-pillar features an additional brand logo, and the bumper and surrounding structures are elevated, optimizing ground clearance to some extent. Naturally, the highly recognizable long strip taillights serve as a signature element, adding a flagship feel to the vehicle.
Inside the cabin, a display corresponding to the electronic exterior rearview camera is positioned at the front end of the door, flanked by a 13.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a passenger entertainment screen on either side of the 17.3-inch central touchscreen. Five screens line up in a row, forming part of the wraparound cabin décor. Additionally, the use of black piano lacquer, wood grain panels, Nappa leather, and a four-spoke steering wheel enhanced by contrast colors and metallic accents lend a businesslike yet avant-garde atmosphere to the cabin.
Beyond the cutting-edge front row design, the Denza N9, as a six-seater, ensures rear cabin entertainment with a 17.3-inch ceiling screen. Features like the driver’s active side bolster support, the passenger’s queen seat ottoman, a 26-speaker Devialet sound system, a center console with an independent compressor fridge, and third-row seats with adjustable cushion heights combine technology and luxury. These configurations not only make the Denza N9 “resemble” the Land Rover Range Rover but even surpass it in some usage details.
Aside from these visible features, the Denza N9’s intelligence is a key competitive edge. Supported by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip, the DiLink smart cockpit is similar to the Denza Z9, allowing up to ten screens to interact. This makes many infotainment functions more engaging and convenient, enhancing the user experience typically expected from a top flagship model.
Additionally, the LiDAR sensors on the Denza N9 indicate its advanced driver assistance capabilities. The DiPilot 300 "Heaven's Eye" advanced driver assistance system covers highways, urban areas, and high-speed roads. Features like remote parking, memory parking, and other advanced parking functions make this large vehicle easier and more convenient to handle.
Of course, the Denza N9’s strongest weapon lies in its tri-motor technology platform. A 2.0T dedicated engine combined with three electric motors delivers a total power output of 680kW, while a 46.992kWh blade battery provides 165km of pure electric range. For a full-size model, achieving a consumption rate of 7.29L/100km when the battery is depleted is quite impressive.
The driving capability provided by the three motors works synergistically with the vehicle’s intelligent control system, enabling tight turning radius maneuvers, crab walking and independent rear wheel drive controls. The Yunnian-A intelligent body control system offers comprehensive support under various conditions with adaptive adjustments to damping stiffness and suspension height, making it easy for this flagship urban SUV to handle off-road scenarios.
Reportedly, the Denza N9 will also introduce a drone version in the future, which has already been filed for approval. With a drone bay and skylight design similar to the Yangwang U8, this version aims to enhance comprehensive driving capability in complex environments. With models like the Wenjie M9 already present in the full-size luxury SUV market, the arrival of the Denza N9 will offer a fresh choice helping Chinese new energy vehicles compete for market share against the likes of the Land Rover Range Rover and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
