Daimler-BYD
Denza
The
joint venture co-owned by Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler and Chinese
company BYD has formally introduced its Denza electric car for the Chinese
market.
Powered
by a 47.5 kWh bank of BYD's lithium iron phosphate batteries located underneath
the body, the sedan is claimed to provide a range of up to 186 miles. Its
electric powertrain is said to produce 115 horsepower and up to 214 lb-ft of
torque, supporting a top speed of up to 93 mph.
Despite
the modest performance figures, the Denza is designed to provide occupants with
a luxury experience. A "lifestyle" edition pairs 18-inch alloy wheels
with leather seats and an eight-inch multimedia touchscreen, while the
"executive" variant adds a Harman Kardon sound system, adaptive xenon
headlights and an upgraded navigation system.
Focusing
on the preferences of Chinese customers, the car is said to have a spacious
trunk and a long wheelbase to comfortably accommodate up to five passengers, like rides on a modified Mercedes-Benz B-Class platform.
The
Denza is on sale now in Beijing, Shanghai and a number of other big cities
across China. Prices start around US$ 60,000, though the companies suggest the car
is eligible for central and local subsidies totaling as high as US$ 19,500.
