Denza 400 (Update)
Daimler’s interest in electric cars gave
birth to the Denza, China’s first Sino-German joint venture developed together
with BYD.
There are reports about the
German colossus speeding up Mercedes’ electric car agenda seemed to focus only
on the Stuttgart-based car maker, but it looks like Daimler extended its
portfolio of new energy vehicles (NEV) with the introduction of this particular
model.
The Denza isn’t a new vehicle, as
Daimler and its Chinese partner BYD have lifted the veil off their model at the
Beijing Auto Show, two years ago. Described as “Made in China, for China”, the
car featured a 47.5 kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, framed by a lightweight
aluminum case with extrusion profiles, that could offer a driving range of up
to 300 km.
The second generation, however, called
the Denza 400, offers increased battery capacity from 47.5 kWh to 62 kWh, and
an upgraded range up to 400 km – hence the name. Battery charging
can be done at any household power outlet, public charging facilities or
special wall boxes; the latter reducing charging times from seven hours to less
than an hour.
Styling is nothing has changed, as
the Denza remains a roomy, family car with a trunk volume of 460 liters. Since the car's launch in September 2014 (with a starting price of RMB
369,000/US$ 59,250), Daimler and BYD sold nearly 3000 units.
