DENZA brings Super Hybrid tech to MPV segment with D9 DM-i
- DENZA’s second model in Europe is high-tech first-class lounge on wheels – with plentiful space for seven and their luggage
- Super Hybrid DM-i (plug-in hybrid) powertrain delivers 130 miles* of WLTP pure-electric range, and a combined range of 590 miles*
- Second row of seats features ‘Air Spa’ ‘zero gravity’ seats, complete with 152° reclining, heating, ventilation. 16-point massage function and in-built 50W smartphone chargers
- Devialet theatre-grade sound system, plus six-zone voice recognition offer seamless infotainment for all on board
DENZA, the premium technology-oriented automotive brand of the BYD Group, presents its second model for Europe, and a high-tech, refined entry to the region’s MPV market: the ultra-flexible D9 DM-i.
Supported by a state-of-the-art Super Hybrid DM-i powertrain that can take it 130 miles* on electricity alone, or as much as 590 miles* on a full tank of petrol and a full charge, the D9 is just as well suited to operating as family transport in urban areas as it is an executive business tool for long-distance travel. Sumptuous interior finishes and a flexible seven-seat layout, complete with a useful load space, are matched by a string of standout cabin technologies, including a Devialet sound system and ‘zero-gravity’ second-row seats that deliver first-class comfort.
Stella Li, BYD Executive Vice President, commented: “DENZA is a technology-focused brand, and the D9 DM-i is a valuable addition to the range as it expands into Europe. It’s first-class travel on wheels, regardless of whether you’re in the driver’s seat or the third row. We believe that state-of-the-art connected technologies, the comfort of the cabin environment and the huge cruising range of the DM-i powertrain make the D9 a truly sophisticated companion – another superb realisation of DENZA’s ethos: technology drives elegance.”
Elegant design, inside and out, for supreme first-class travel
The D9 features an MPV body style that still embraces DENZA’s approach of ‘Technology drives elegance’. Its pure, clean shape and refined surfacing are supported by a subtle front-end approach that encloses a dynamic grille in an assertive metal-finish frame. Along the sides, the high waistline and neatly integrated sliding door rails complete the profile, while also reducing wind noise. And at the rear, a powered tailgate opens smoothly to reveal a flexible load space. This trunk plays a key role in the D9’s ‘777’ ultimate comfort – namely, its ability to accommodate seven 180cm-tall adults along with seven 20-inch carry-on suitcases and seven business backpacks.
As it should be in any MPV, the cabin environment has been meticulously designed to offer not only the space for seven adults, but also the quality, finish, materials and technologies to ensure their complete comfort on every journey, regardless of the distance involved. The interior is bathed in daylight thanks to a 1.1m2 panoramic glass roof, complete with an electric sunshade and 99% UV isolation.
Up front, the two occupants are served by heating and ventilation on their seats, plus 10-point massage functionality and eight-way electrical adjustment. There’s also a heated steering wheel for even greater onboard comfort in winter.
The middle row rivals first-class travel on airlines, thanks to the finest seats on offer in any MPV. Called Air Spa ‘zero-gravity’ seats, they have 14-way electrical adjustment and a 16-point massage function. They can also recline to up to 152°, allowing their occupants to lean back and sleep on late-night journeys.
The D9 is designed to offer best-in-class comfort for all its passengers, so even the third-row seats can feature heating and ventilation, along with four-way electrical adjustment.
The car’s cabin can operate in four configurations. In ‘four-occupants comfort mode’, the second and third rows are moved to their rearmost positions, maximising the space for four passengers and making the D9 ideal for family outings or business trips with an assistant. In ‘full-occupancy comfort’, the third-row seats are in their rearmost position, maximising comfort for seven passengers when less luggage space is required (there’s still 430 litres, even in this layout).
The D9 can cope with seven occupants and plentiful luggage in ‘full-occupancy mode’, in which the positions of the third-row, second-row and front-passenger seats are adjusted to increase the trunk capacity to 570 litres. And finally, with the third-row seats folded down, the second-row seats can be moved fully forward and the front-passenger seat can be adjusted to maximise trunk space at 2,310 litres – ideal for large loads or even a camping trip.
Regardless of which seating layout is chosen, access to the cabin is simple via the two sliding doors; they operate electrically and feature a soft-close mechanism for greater refinement, as well as an anti-pinch safety delay. They can also be operated by foot gesture, along with the electrically powered tailgate – perfect for when you’ve got your hands full.
Best-in-class technologies enhance the cabin experience
DENZA believes in the power of technology to transform its owners’ lives, and this approach is exemplified by a cabin that makes it easier than ever to stay connected and entertained on the move. Up front there’s a 15.6-inch central infotainment touchscreen, flanked by a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel on one side and a 10.25-inch passenger touchscreen on the other.
Powered by DENZA’s DiLink software, the system is fully compatible with over-the-air updates and features Google built in and Apple CarPlay™️.
There are two more LCD screens in the armrests of the second-row seats, allowing occupants to make adjustments to content and entertainment choices. And the second-row seats can also have their own 12.8-inch multimedia screens, mounted neatly on the front seat backs.
It’s easy to keep devices charged up too, thanks to no fewer than four 50W wireless smartphone-charging pads (two in the front, two in the second row), five USB Type-C ports (one in the front, two in the second row, two in the third row) and a further USB Type-A port in the front.
Everyday usability is a priority for D9 customers, so the cabin is packed with useful technologies that could make a big difference to a long journey or a family out. These include tray tables mounted on the front-seat backs, allowing the second row to be used as a dining area or a mobile office.
The space between the front seats has been used to offer an intelligent climate-controlled refrigerator; measuring seven litres, it can keep items cool to between
-6°C and 6°C, and warm to between 35°C and 50°C.
The D9 features the highest-grade audio system ever available in an MPV, thanks to DENZA’s breakthrough partnership with French sound specialist Devialet. The theatre-grade set-up has 16 speakers and has been specifically tuned to deliver crisp, clean treble and mid-range, and powerful bass, for an immersive audio experience that makes entertainment more emotionally connected than ever.
It’s important for the occupants of all three rows to be able to interact with the D9’s systems – so the car features six audio zones throughout the cabin, enabling everyone to access more than 200 voice-control instructions.
FLASH Charging brings ‘Ready in 5, Full in 9, Cold Add 3’
As with all DENZA models in Europe, the D9 features BYD’s latest FLASH Charging technology. Designed to remove one of the last remaining obstacles to new-energy vehicle adoption and supported by the rollout of BYD’s self-developed charging stations, FLASH Charging features industry-leading recharge speeds, even in freezing-cold temperatures.
In the case of the D9 DM-i, the 58.5kWh battery at the heart of the Super Hybrid system can be refilled at up to 559kW, allowing it to deliver the DENZA promise of ‘Full in 5, Ready in 9, Cold Add 3’. Recharging from 10% to 70% takes just five minutes, while refilling from 10%-97% requires only nine minutes. And even in
-30°C, extreme cold that normally causes charging speeds to drop significantly, the D9 DM-i’s Blade Battery can be taken from 20%-97% in only 12 minutes.
In this respect, FLASH Charging opens the possibility of replenishing the DM-i battery mid-journey to maximise overall efficiency on a longer trip. And because faster top-ups at public charging points are also possible, it’s easier to run the D9 in zero-emissions electric mode, more of the time.
Super Hybrid DM-i powertrain brings outstanding flexibility
The D9 DM-i is supported by a Super Hybrid DM-i powertrain, delivering game-changing efficiency in both pure-electric mode and as a hybrid. The 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine produces 120PS (88kW), and it acts primarily as a generator for the battery and dual electric motors – one on the front axle with 231PS (170kW), one at the rear with 61PS (45kW), for all-wheel drive.
The total system output is 353PS (260kW), ensuring effortless performance. This translates to 0-62mph acceleration being completed in just 8.6 seconds, and a top speed of 112mph.
Super Hybrid’s ‘DM-i AWD’ designation stands for ‘Dual Mode Intelligent and All-Wheel Drive’, although this simplifies a configuration that includes three electric motors (two drive motors, one generator motor), a petrol engine and constant management by power-control units to optimise the required mix of performance and efficiency. There are indeed two modes – ‘EV mode’ and hybrid ‘HEV mode’ – but the second of these can operate in several different ways.
In ‘EV mode’ the car operates like a pure-electric vehicle, relying totally on battery power. It uses only the electric drive motors, which can also recoup energy that would otherwise be lost during braking, to help recharge the battery.
When the driver selects ‘HEV’ or ‘Hybrid mode’, or the car activates this itself due to a depleted battery, the ‘Intelligent’ systems take over to flick between five configurations, depending on factors including the state of charge and the driving situation. These can include using the generator motor to further boost the potential of the drive motors and maximise performance, and, on rare occasions, the petrol engine joining the drive motors to drive the wheels.
The beauty of DM-i is that, apart from having the freedom to choose whether to run in EV or HEV mode, the user doesn’t need to make a decision on how to have the best mix of driving experience and efficiency; the car does this for them, and on a constant basis.
The Blade Battery at the heart of the DM-i system in the D9 has a capacity of 58.5kWh – enough for 130 miles* of pure-electric range. And when the car’s 64-litre petrol tank is filled and the Blade Battery is fully charged, the D9 DM-i has a combined WLTP range of 590 miles*. This new-energy flexibility sets the car apart from anything else in the premium MPV segment, with the ability to operate as an EV for many urban and suburban journeys complemented by long-distance cruising capability beyond those of conventional ICE models.
The D9’s chassis configuration is designed to deliver accomplished dynamics and incredible levels of comfort. It features MacPherson-strut front suspension and multi-link rear suspension, along with DiSus-C intelligent damping. This decouples compression and rebound damping and is meticulously tuned to deliver comfort and ensure an enjoyable ride on every journey.
When the road surface is poor, DiSus-C can soften the damping to make the ride more compliant, preserving comfort; when the surface is good and the driver enters a corner at high speed, the damping can be stiffened to reduce body roll. And DiSus-C adjusts these parameters in real time, thanks to a fully integrated control system that can make decisions in milliseconds.
Generous equipment lists and FLASH Charging standard on both versions
The D9 DM-i is being offered in a choice of two trim levels, both powered by the same cutting-edge DM-i powertrain with a 58.5kWh Blade Battery and 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine to give 590 miles* of combined range on a full charge and a full tank of petrol.
Two trim levels are available in Europe. Elegance trim has a generous standard-equipment list, including power activation for both sliding doors and tailgate, the 15.6-inch central infotainment screen and 10.25-inch digital instrument panel, the six-tone voice interaction system and LCD armrest screens in the second rows. It gets FLASH Charging as standard too.
Ultimate trim adds dynamic ‘welcome-home’ lights, foot gesture-activation for the sliding doors and the tailgate, real wood trim, Nappa-leather upholstery, the ‘zero-gravity’ second-row seats, heating and ventilation on all three rows of seating, a rear-view mirror camera and further screens for the driver (12-inch head-up display), front passenger (10.25in) and second-row passengers
(2x 12.8in).
Buyers can opt for one of five exterior colours, along with a choice of three interior treatments – black, dark chocolate and beige, as well as a combination of dark chocolate and warm almond brown.
The D9 will go on sale in the coming weeks in newly established retail points in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, with more than 20 further markets added in the second half of the year. DENZA customers will enjoy a premium ownership experience, with dealer interaction organised through the bespoke smartphone app, and complimentary collection and return of cars for routine maintenance.
| DENZA D9 DM-i specifications | ||
| Items | DM-i | |
| Dimensions (L/W/H, mm) | 5250/1960/1900 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 3110 | |
| Kerbweight (kg) | 2895 | |
| Drive mode | AWD | |
| Minimum turning radius (m) | 5.85 | |
| Petrol engine displacement | 1.5L 4cyl turbocharged | |
| Max petrol engine power (PS/kW) | 120/88 | |
| Max petrol engine torque (Nm) | 220 | |
| Front electric motor max power (PS/kW) |
231/170 | |
| Rear electric motor max power (PS/kW) |
61/45 | |
| Total system max power (PS/kW) | 353/260 | |
| 0-62mph acceleration time (s) | 8.6 | |
| Top speed (mph) | 112 | |
| Battery capacity (kWh) | 58.5 | |
| WLTP electric range (miles*) | 130 | |
| WLTP combined range (miles*) | 590 | |
| Max charging power (AC/DC) | 11kW/559kW FLASH Charging |
11kW/559kW FLASH Charging |
| Battery type | BYD Blade Battery (LFP) | |
| Trunk volume (3rd row fully back/3rd row fully forward/3rd row folded down & 2nd row fully forward) |
430/570/2310 | |
| Seating configuration | Three rows,2+2+3 | |
*UK specifications to be confirmed