Remember Daimler’s Denza brand? In case you don’t,
let us refresh your memory. The China-exclusive marque was set up in 2012 by Daimler and BYD
specifically for the production of electric vehicles. However, Denza’s only
product so far has been an EV based on the previous-generation B-Class Electric
Drive. Sold under various names from launch, the Denza EV hasn’t been
particularly successful, especially in recent years.
For example, sales in 2018 fell by a massive 60
percent, with only 1,974 vehicles sold. For a huge market like China, that
equates to almost nothing. Does this mean the Denza brand is nearing extinction? Not really, as
the Chinese company has just unveiled a new concept vehicle that offers a
glimpse at its first SUV. The Denza Concept X has debuted at the Shenzhen Auto
Show with a design signed by Mercedes-Benz and we have to say, it’s a lot more
attractive than their old EV model.
Actually, we’d dare say it looks better than
Mercedes’ own EQC. For the moment, the Concept X is only a mockup without a
chassis and interior, but it’s not hard to imagine it packing the same
drivetrain as the EQC — or at least some parts of it.
Denza says the production model will be able to
cover up to 500 km on a single charge and that it will sprint from
0 to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds. These numbers are similar to the
EQC’s range and acceleration times. Not much else is known about the
upcoming Denza electric SUV other than the fact that it will also be offered as
a plug-in hybrid version. The production model is expected to arrive next year.
