Two variants of the Denza D9 are available locally: Advanced FWD (RM 259,000) and Premium AWD (RM 309,000).
BYD has recently brought in its Denza subsidiary to Malaysia, and the first product from this more upmarket branch of the Chinese automaker over here is to be its D9 all-electric MPV. This new tailpipe-less premium people mover on the block is available locally in two variants: Advanced FWD (RM 259,000) and Premium AWD (RM 309,000).
Starting with the literal big things first regarding the D9, this all-electric MPV comes in at a whopping 5,250 mm long, 1,960 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,110 mm. This thus puts it to be a tad larger than the already-massive default premium people mover Toyota Alphard/Vellfire twins (+41 mm in length, +72 mm in height, +110 mm between the wheels), and has hence lead Denza to claiming its offering to have a 7+7+7 carrying capacity (7 passengers + 7 suitcases + 7 carry-ons).
Talking powertrains now, the Advanced FWD name is predictably powered by a single front-mointed e-motor, which outputs 230 kW and 360 Nm of torque for a century sprint time of 9.5 seconds. The Premium AWD trim in turn adds rear motor to the mix, that bumps combined output to 270 kW and 470 Nm, for a reduced 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds.
Both variants of D9 come packing a massive 103.6 kWh BYD Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which translates to WLTP-rated ranges of 520 km for the FWD and 480 km for the AWD. Maximum charging input for this all-electric people mover is 166 kW DC (for a claimed 30% to 80% top up in 30 minutes or an additional 150 km of range in 10 minutes), and only 11 kW when connected to an AC supply.
In terms of its kit list meanwhile, this luxury e-MPV from China is expectedly kitted out to the nines. Here below is what is available in just the base Advanced FWD Denza D9:
Exterior:
- LED projector headlights
- Soft-close front doors
- Powered sliding rear doors
- 18-inch alloy wheels
- Tilt-and-slide front sunroof
- Panoramic rear sunroof
- Powered tailgate
Chassis:
- FSD variable damping suspension
Interior:
- 8-way powered front seats
- Ventilated driver’s seat
- Knitted fabric headliner
- Tri-zone climate control
- Interior ambient lighting
- PM2.5 air cleaning system with a negative ion purifier
- 4-way power adjustable centre seat with memory, massage, ventilation and power-adjustable leg rests
- Centre console refrigerator
Tech:
- 15.6-inch central touchscreen (non-rotatable) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration
- 10.25-inch digital instrument display
- 14 Dynaudio speakers
- Four tone zone voice interaction system
- 3 x 50-watt wireless charging pads (one front row, one in each second row captain chairs)
- 1 x USB-A port and 5 x USB-C ports
- LCD screen in second row captain chair armrest
- Bluetooth key and NFC key
Safety:
- 8 airbags
- 360° surround view camera
- Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
- Traction Control System (TCS)
- Full Speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC)
- Traffic Sign Recognition (TSR)
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB)
- Cross traffic alert with auto brake (front and rear)
- Door Opening Warning (DOW)
- Lane Departure Warning (LDW)
- Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
- High Beam Assist (HBA)
- Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
As for what is to gain in stepping up to the Premium AWD, here are all the things that this higher-end variants nets, aside from the addition of a rear motor.
Exterior:
- LED DRL of front grille flanks
Chassis:
- DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control
Interior:
- Nappa leather upholstery (beige)
- Front seat massage
- Driver seat memory function
- Real wood veneer interior trim
- Suede headlining
Tech:
- Driver’s heads-up display
- Automatic anti-glare digital rear view mirror
The Denza D9 is available locally with a choice of three exterior hues (Arctic White, Whale Sea Blue or Cosmos Black). The first 800 customers who order this e-MPV will also be entitled to a free 22 kW wallbox (including installation), free six years/120,000 km service, a free exclusive Denza neck and waist pillow, as well as a free exclusive set of Denza luggage.
The warranty offered with the D9 are a six years/150,000 km package for the vehicle, eight years/160,000 km for the battery and eight years/150,000 km for the drive motor and motor controller. Though the more interesting thing regarding the available warranty is for its geographical coverage to extend beyond a single country’s borders, as Denza is currently touting a Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand cross-border aftersales warranty programme.
What is unfortunately not available yet however is the option of an engine to supplement the batteries in the Denza D9. Such is as while this e-MPV is sold in its home market as a PHEV, this particular powertrain configuration that was previously teased for an imminent local launch has yet to officially materialise this far.
Going by how it made a surprise appearance during the launch though, Denza has nevertheless tacitly confirmed that it’s next model set for a Malaysian debut will be its crab-walking Z9 GT. And this crab-walking shooting brake will certainly be a bigger statement piece than the D9!
