- Denza has begun testing the hardcore Z Special Edition at the Nürburgring.
- The high-performance EV will attempt to set a new record this fall.
- Upcoming model has a tri-motor powertrain with more than 1,973 hp.
At the Goodwood Festival of Speed, BYD’s Denza introduced their new Z supercar. The company confirmed there will be Coupe, Spider and Racing variants as well as a Special Edition that will attempt to set a new Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record this fall.
It seems like the company is getting in some early practice as a prototype was recently spied on and around the famous track. As you can see, the model appears to be based on the Z Racing, but is far more extreme.
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As a refresher, that variant comes equipped with a carbon fiber front splitter, underfloor vortex generators, and an assortment of vents. The model can also be equipped with an optional carbon fiber rear wing and these features enable the coupe to generate 2,337 lbs (1,060 kg) of downforce at 217 mph (350 km/h). The special touches don’t end there as the car’s rear seats can be replaced by a roll cage.
More: BYD’s New Denza Z More Than Doubles A 911 Turbo S’ Power For Less Than GTS Money
The prototype seen by spy photographers builds on that, but is far more aggressive as it has multiple canards and a larger splitter. They’re joined by modified bodywork, a massive wing, and a diffuser that takes up roughly a third of the rear end. We can also see new wheels and tires as well as exposed carbon fiber bodywork.
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The latter shouldn’t be surprising as Denza has previously said the Z Special Edition will feature “race-grade dual-layer composite bodywork, including panels made completely from carbon fiber.” The company has also said the car will be equipped with a “drag-reduction system that coordinates a front active diffuser and a rear wing flap to cut drag by up to 40%, while producing more than 4,409 lbs (2,000 kg) of downforce at 186 mph (300 km/h).”
The regular Z has a 76 kWh Blade Battery that feeds a tri-motor powertrain developing 1,582 hp (1,180 kW / 1,604 PS) and 914 lb-ft (1,240 Nm) of torque. This enables the coupe to accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 2.25 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 186 mph (300 km/h). The Z Racing is even quicker as it hits 62 mph (100 km/h) in 1.96 seconds and has a top speed of 217 mph (350 km/h).
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However, the Z Special Edition is the star of the show as it will have a track-grade thermal management system and a combined output in excess of 1,973 hp (1,471 kW / 2,000 PS). Denza has claimed this will enable the model to rocket from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in less than 1.7 seconds.
Denza has said the car will “undergo additional development assessment” ahead of the record-breaking attempt, and details will be released in “due course.”