The fully-electric Denza D9 luxury MPV is enjoying considerable sales in Malaysia and its plug-in hybrid version (PHEV) is now taking on the world as exports have begun to Europe. Is it only a matter of time before it expands the D9 range on our shores?
Powered by the Dual Mode Intelligent (DM-i) powertrain, the PHEV D9 sees a 120 PS and 220 Nm of torque 1.5-litre turbo inline-four under the hood. Mated to it is a 231 PS front electric motor and a 61 PS unit at the rear. Both make less power than those in the BEV D9.
Under the DM-i system, the petrol motor is not just limited to a generator but can also be linked by a clutch to drive the front wheel when required. This brings the total system output to 353 PS.
Power is stored in BYD’s new Blade 2.0 LFP battery, sized 58.5 kWh here, and good for a pure electric range of 210 km on the WLTP cycle. Combined with a 61-litre fuel tank, the total range is 950 km. The century sprint is dispatched in 8.6 seconds with a 180 kph top speed.
More importantly, the D9 DM-i supports BYD’s 1,500 kW DC Flash Charging technology but is limited to just 559 kW. That still allows it to charge from 10-70% in five minutes and a full charge (10-97%) in nine minutes.
To support adoption of its brand, 3,000 Flash Charging stations will be built in Europe over the next 12 months, part of the 6,000 meant for outside of China.
Cosmetically, the D9 DM-i is almost identical to the BEV D9, save for the blacked-out grille. Inside, Denza has confirmed the passenger will receive a 10.25-inch display. The rest comprises a 15.6-inch infotainment display with another10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 16-speaker sound system. In Europe, the D9 DM-i will also support Google services such as Google Maps built-in.
The rest of the cabin remains identical to the D9 BEV, with a 2-2-3 seating layout and captain’s chairs in the middle including Ottoman function, heating + ventilation, massage functions and armrest touchscreens to control the seat. There is also a heated and cooled refrigerator. Second row occupants will get a 12.8-inch touchscreen each.
Keeping the ride plush are BYD’s DiSus-C semi-active, adaptive dampers suspension technology and coil springs.
Denza sold 1,200 units of the D9 BEV in Malaysia last year as it proved to a competent rival to the mainstays of the luxury MPV segment, the Toyota Alphard and Vellfire duo. Furthermore, Denza has sold over 300,000 units of the D9 in just three years.
The addition of a PHEV variant will enable the MPV to truly elevate its challenge against the Toyota twins and the GWM Wey G9 PHEV here.
Given that the flagship Z9GT wagon is already confirmed for Malaysia, the D9 DM-i appears likely to join it here.
Currently, the D9 BEV range in Malaysia comprises the following two variants:
- Denza D9 Advanced (FWD) – RM 299,000
- Denza D9 Premium (AWD) – RM 355,000
