BYD and Mercedes' 1,600HP Denza Z Convertible has futuristic feature that stops you from having to do any manual 3-point turns
Published on Jul 15, 2026 at 7:03 PM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 15, 2026 at 7:07 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
At Goodwood Festival of Speed, we had the chance to get well acquainted with the BYD Denza Z.
Built as a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes, this convertible is based on the same platform as the Z9 and Z9 GT.
Designed for both the track and the road, there’s no denying what a special car this is.
Supercar Blondie’s newest presenter, Chloe, was able to drive the car at Goodwood as part of its grand debut.
The Denza Z got its chance to shine at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
If ever there was a Christmas day in the world of cars, Goodwood Festival of Speed would be it.
This year’s offering included Gordon Murray’s 5.50s Niki Lauda supercar, Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar, and a full-size Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear made out of Lego.
The Supercar Blondie team got the chance to see some truly awe-inspiring cars.
Chloe was also given the chance to drive the Denza Z around the track, where three things stood out.
The noise it makes, the speed, and the stability.
Despite being incredibly fast, it feels stable and solid at high speeds.
But beyond its capabilities, there were a ton of cool features that Chloe got the opportunity to see for herself.
Hate turning your car around? The Denza Z has you covered
We’ve all been in a situation where we’ve had to turn our car around, usually to get ourselves out of a tight spot.
It’s annoying, and even the most seasoned driver can find it a bit tiresome.
The Denza Z has an awesome feature which eliminates this menial driving chore.
Pressing one button on the center console allows you to select the direction in which you want to spin the car – and hey presto, your car is moving all on its own.
“It’s very user friendly,” Chloe commented.
“That’s very impressive.”
We reckon if they led with this feature on every commercial, the car would go straight to the top of millions of drivers’ wish-lists.
Self-parking is another awesome perk
Speaking of tasks that some drivers dread doing – parking.
The Denza Z allows you to park the car, without even being in the driver’s seat.
Via a phone app, drivers can park the car so long as they’re within Bluetooth range of the car.
This feature is undeniably helpful and may consign parking anxiety to the dustbin of history.
Here’s what the Denza Z can offer you if you enjoy drifting
But enough of the features that make life easier.
What does the Denza Z offer for drivers who like living on the edge?
Self-drifting mode, that’s what.
If you want to feel like you’re bein taken for a wild ride, this car has you covered.
“This car drifts by itself! No hands, it’s absolutely mental! How sick is that?!” Chloe said, as the car took her for a ride.
By the time it was done, she was left admitting she needed a hairbrush.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
