We got to drive BYD and Mercedes' 1,600HP Denza Z Convertible and three things stood out about it
Published on Jul 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM (UTC+4)
by Alessandro Renesis
Last updated on Jul 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
We had to chance to check out the Denza Z in the metal at Goodwood, and we even got to drive it.
The first impression confirms what most people are saying about up-and-coming Chinese automakers.
Denza, a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes, is one of those brands.
And we can definitely see why some people think other brands are cooked.
The Denza Z is a supercar designed for Europe
The Z convertible is based on the same platform as the Z9 and the Z9 GT, a four-door sedan and five-door shooting brake respectively.
Like other equivalent supercars, the Denza Z Convertible is designed for both the road and the track.
You can drive it around Monaco, or you can drive around le Sarthe at Le Mans.
Built on BYD’s e3 platform, the vehicle features three electric motors for a grand total of 1,600 horsepower.
It takes less 2 seconds to get to 60mph and, even more importantly, it takes less than 10 minutes to charge using BYD’s Flash chargers.
This is huge because it solves, at least in part, the range anxiety problem.
Also, unusually for a supercar, Denza Z features independent rear-wheel steering, which means it can do tank turns and crab walk like the Hummer EV, for example.
The supercar is also autonomous, thanks to BYD’s self-driving system, God’s Eye, and AI also powers the DiSus-M suspension system, which scans the road in real time and changes the suspension setup accordingly.
The reason why they chose Goodwood to unveil this car
Supercar Blondie’s newest presenter, Chloe, was able to drive the car at Goodwood because that’s where the car made its dynamic debut.
She was given the chance to drive it 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, which is important because so many fast cars can be undrivable.
But the most important element here is the geography, so to speak.
This car was launched at Goodwood because it’s built for Europe.
Most Chinese cars are built for the domestic market and then exported and adapted for other markets.
But with the Denza Z, the brand is specifically targeting European buyers who are looking for a sports car in the mid-to-high luxury segment.
And if this is the new bar, European manufacturers have reason to be worried.
Alessandro is an automotive journalist with 10 years of experience covering supercars, automotive history, emerging vehicle technology, and luxury transportation. He wrote the first article published on SupercarBlondie.com when the website launched in 2022 and has since built a reputation for insightful reporting across the automotive and transportation industries. His expertise is grounded in hands-on experience. Alessandro has driven every Tesla model ever produced, from the original Roadster to the Cybertruck, and regularly covers the latest developments in electric vehicles and automotive innovation. His passion for transportation extends beyond cars, he has even flown a Boeing 787 Dreamliner simulator in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. His reporting spans everything from classic American muscle cars and rare automotive discoveries to luxury yachts, private aircraft, high-end watches, and cutting-edge vehicle technology. Known for his deep knowledge of automotive history and ability to uncover the stories behind iconic vehicles, Alessandro brings readers a blend of historical context, technical expertise, and first-hand experience.
