- The 5.2-meter-long Denza N8L starts at RMB 299,800 ($42,210), poised to intensify competition in China’s large six-seat SUV segment.
- The N8L represents Denza’s latest push in the premium market as it seeks to reduce sales reliance on the D9 MPV.
(Denza N8L. Image credit: Denza)
BYD’s (HKG: 1211) premium brand Denza has officially launched the N8L large six-seat SUV (sport utility vehicle) as its latest effort in China’s premium new energy vehicle (NEV) market.
The N8L was officially launched at an event this evening, offering two variants starting at RMB 299,800 ($42,210) and RMB 329,800.
These official prices are lower than the RMB 319,800 and RMB 349,800 pre-sales prices announced when the N8L began pre-orders a month ago.
The vehicle is a large six-seat plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) targeting the family car market, emphasizing safety, comfort, and agile handling.
The N8L measures 5,200 mm in length, 1,999 mm in width, and 1,820 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,075 mm.
It can be viewed as a slightly scaled-down version of Denza’s flagship N9 SUV launched in March, which measures 5,258 mm in length, 2,030 mm in width, and 1,830 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,125 mm.
The N8L comes standard with BYD’s e3 powertrain, featuring three electric motors delivering a peak power output of 560 kW (751 horsepower).
It also incorporates a 2.0T engine producing 152 kW of peak power with a thermal efficiency of 44.13 percent.
Powered by this system, the N8L can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The N8L utilizes BYD’s blade battery specifically designed for PHEVs, with a capacity of 46.99 kWh, delivering a CLTC battery range of 230 kilometers. With a full tank of fuel and fully charged battery, its combined range reaches 1,300 kilometers.
It features BYD’s DiSus-A chassis control system and God’s Eye B smart driving system, supporting parking-to-parking assisted driving.
Similar to recent practices by other domestic automakers launching new models, Denza promises customers purchasing the N8L before November 30 will still qualify for this year’s purchase tax incentives, even if delivery is delayed until next year.
China’s current vehicle purchase tax incentive expires at year-end, with next year’s tax break for buyers set to halve compared to this year’s rate.
The N8L represents Denza’s latest push in the premium market, following several SUV models that achieved only modest sales performance.
The model marks the first launch since Li Hui replaced Zhao Changjiang as Denza’s sales chief in July. Earlier this month, Zhao confirmed his departure from BYD.
Denza launched another SUV call the N8 in August 2023. While the SUV surpassed 1,000 units in September 2023, its monthly sales remained below 500 units in all other months.
The N8 was discontinued after less than a year on the market. The N8L’s exterior design differs significantly from the N8.
The D9 MPV (multi-purpose vehicle), as the first model under the restructured Denza brand, remains its sales pillar. It sold 8,944 units in September, accounting for 73.24 percent of Denza’s monthly sales, according to data compiled by CnEVPost.
The N9 SUV sold 2,524 units in September, contributing 20.34 percent to Denza’s monthly sales.
($1 = RMB 7.1023)
BYD sub-brand Denza is targeting sales of more than 300,000 units in 2025, implying a 138 percent growth, according to a local media report.
