Last September, it was announced that BYD would be bringing its Denza brand to Malaysia in the first quarter of this year, and it looks like that market introduction is set to happen very soon. The identity of the first model has been known for a while now, but was fully confirmed last month when the order books opened for the Denza D9.
Introduced in 2022, the right-hand drive version of the D9 in its all-electric form was launched in Hong Kong last June following its production roll-out from its Changsha plant. Measuring 5,250 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 1,920 mm tall, with a 3,110 mm-long wheelbase, the Denza D9 will enter the market as a rival to the Toyota Alphard/Vellfire and Zeekr 009.
While the D9 is available in its home market in full electric and plug-in hybrid forms, it will go on sale here in its all-electric guise, as it is in other overseas markets. Similar to that offered for the vehicle in Thailand and Singapore, Malaysia will be getting both the front wheel-drive and all-wheel drive versions, and they will be known as the Advanced (FWD) and Premium (AWD) here.
The Advanced FWD, which is badged as a Premium in Thailand and an Elite in Singapore, is equipped with a front-mounted electric motor rated at 313 PS (308 hp or 230 kW) and 360 Nm of torque. Performance specs for the 2,764 kg offering include a 0-100 km/h time of 9.5 seconds and a maximum range of 520 km (WLTP) or 600 km on NEDC standard, which Denza has chosen to highlight instead of the WLTP measurement.
As for the Premium AWD version, which is known as the Performance in Thailand and Grandeur in Singapore, it gets an additional rear electric motor with 61 PS (60 hp or 45 kW) and 110 Nm for a total all-wheel drive system output of 374 PS (369 hp or 275 kW) and 470 Nm. While kerb weight climbs slightly to 2,865 kg, the 0-100 km/h sprint time improves to 6.9 seconds as a result of the extra power, although range is reduced to 480 km (WLTP, or 580 km with NEDC).
Both powertrain versions come with the same battery, a 103 kWh Blade lithium iron phosphate (LFP) unit, and the D9 accepts up to 166 kW of DC fast charging and 11 kW of AC charging power. Regardless of variant, the company says that the battery can be juiced up from 30-80% in 30 minutes via fast charging, and that 10 mins of DC charging will provide 150 km of range.
The D9 is equipped with adaptive dampers, on the FWD through a Frequency Selective variable damping suspension and on the AWD, via a DiSus-C Intelligent Damping Body Control System.
One of the highlights touted by the automaker is the quietness of the cabin, with mention that the noise level inside the D9 measures only 64.6 dBA when cruising at 120 km/h. Space is another, with the D9 able to comfortably accommodate seven adults, each 180 cm tall.
Meanwhile, the cargo area (410 litres, but expandable up to 2,310 litres with the rear seats folded) is claimed to be able to handle up to seven 20-inch suitcases and seven business backpacks.
Standard equipment includes automatic LED headlights, LED tail lights, 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels (wrapped with 235/60 profile tyres, Michelin e-Primacy on the Advanced and Continental PremiumContact C on the Premium), powered front and sliding doors, keyless entry, push-button start, remote vehicle/AC start, a panoramic glass sunroof and a three-zone independent climate control system.
General specifications also include a 15.6-inch central touchscreen infotainment display (non-rotating) – with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay – and a 10.25-inch digital instrument screen, a 14-speaker Dynaudio audio system, three 50 watt wireless charging pads (one front row, two second row) and six USB ports (one Type A, five Type C).
You’ll also find a 6.8 litre fridge with dual temperature control (offering adjustment between -6 and 50 degrees Celsius), located below the arm rest in between the front seats.
The D9 also comes with premium leather upholstery and fabric headlining, eight-way power-adjustable and ventilated front seats as well as second-row powered 10-way adjustable captain seats, each with their own armrest digital screens and equipped with heating/ventilation and 10-point massage functions.
Also on are four-way manually-adjustable third-row seats, ambient lighting, a PM2.5 air cleaning system with a negative ion purifier and a powered tailgate, and as you would expect, the AWD model gets additional interior kit, in the form of front seat massage and driver’s side memory, Nappa leather upholstery, real wood veneer trim, textured suede headlining and a head-up display.
As for safety and driver assistance equipment, the list for these includes eight airbags and the usual raft of ADAS kit, with the hardware element consisting of no less than five millimetre wave radars, eight ultrasonic radars, four surround cameras and a driver monitoring camera.
The ADAS list includes items such as adaptive cruise control, autonomous emergency braking, front and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake, rear collision warning, lane departure warning, lane keeping assist and high beam assist. The D9 also features four Isofix mounts, across the second and third rows.
As for exterior colours, three are available for the D9 in our market, and these are Arctic White, Whale Sea Blue and Cosmos Black.
With this, all that’s left is the formal introduction and, of course, the going price. Nothing has yet been indicated on that front, but pricing in Indonesia, where the MPV was launched recently, provides a general benchmark. In the republic, pricing for the D9 currently starts from Rp.950 million (RM259,000), so we can definitely expect it to get here for under RM300k. Full details soon when the MPV is launched.
GALLERY: Denza D9 Advanced FWD
GALLERY: Denza D9 Premium AWD
