China’s EV brand
Denza, a 50:50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler, presented the sleek
Concept X designed by Mercedes-Benz. Since
things move really fast in China’s auto industry, the company has already
revealed the production model that’s called the Denza X. The midsize crossover
stays remarkably close to the concept from a styling standpoint, although the
pop-out door handles and rearview cameras haven’t made it to the production
model.
The bumpers have also
been modified, as have the lights. Inside, the 4.89-meter long SUV
offers seven seats and a dashboard dominated by a massive center display that
can rotate, changing its orientation from portrait to landscape and back. The
Denza X also features a fully digital instrument panel.
Chinese customers will
be able to choose from two powertrains, a plug-in hybrid and an all-electric.
The PHEV combines a 192 PS 2.0-liter turbo-four gasoline engine, two
electric motors, and a battery. The motor mounted on the front axle delivers
150 PS while the one at the back produces 245 PS.
It’s the same
powertrain found on the BYD Tang, with which the Denza X shares its
underpinnings. With a usable output of more than 400 PS, the plug-in
hybrid model is said to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 5
seconds.
As for the
all-electric version, it’s powered by a single electric motor delivering 245 PS and can cover around 500 km on a single charge according
to the NEDC cycle. We’ll
have more on the Denza X on November 22
when it will be fully revealed at the
Guangzhou Auto Show, with deliveries in China expected to start in early
2020.
