Daimler’s commitment to the EV segment and Chinese
car market has been strengthened with the introduction of the Denza 500.
Created by the Denza brand, which is part of the Daimler and BYD joint venture,
it’s actually an evolved version of the Denza 400 that was launched two years
ago.
In addition to the styling changes made at the front
and rear, the all-electric minivan features a new battery that provides an
extended range of around 500 km, hence the ‘500’ name. It also gets
a weight reduction compared to the previous model, which uses a 62kWh battery
range and can travel for up to 400 km on a single charge.
No technical details have been announced yet, but
the Denza 500 is seen as an important contributor to the “development of
electric mobility in China“. as Daimler put its. It’s also said to be able to
cope with extreme weather after being tested in temperatures as low as -40C
(-40F).
Things haven’t changed that much inside, but the
company mentions a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system that’s larger than
before. Features such as smartphone connectivity, navigation system, climate
control, multi-function steering wheel and leather upholstery are also
available, while the foot-operated parking brake appears to have been replaced
by an electronic one.
Just like the 400, the Denza 500 EV is aimed solely
at the Chinese market, where it’s expected to go on sale later this year.
