Daimler, BYD launch Denza EV into Chinese market

The Denza, which looks like a mashup between a stretched B-Class hatch and a Tatra T700, is built in a factory in Shenzhen, China, right on the border with Hong Kong.

Under the bonnet there's an electric engine with 86kW of power and 290Nm of torque that's powered by a BYD 47.5kWh lithium iron phosphate battery, which is located in the car's undercarriage. Foot to the floor, the Denza has a top speed of 150km/h.

Fully charged the Denza is claimed to have a driving range of up to 300 kilometres. Charging time from a 22kW wall box is claimed to be under three hours; Daimler hasn't quoted the time required to recharge the Denza from a standard power outlet.

With a wheelbase as long as the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Daimler claims that the Denza has plenty of rear leg room in addition to its 460 litres worth of boot space.

Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels, leather seats, a large LCD instrumentation screen, capacitive controls in the centre console and an 8-inch touchscreen for the entertainment system.

High-spec models gain a Harman Kardon sound system, adaptive xenon headlights and satellite navigation.

The Denza goes on sale in China at the tail end of September for 369,000 yuan ($65,350). Depending on the buyer's residence, buyers may be granted, by both the central and provincial governments, electric car subsidies and exemption from sales tax.

Some cities, such as Shanghai and Shenzhen, also allow electric car owners to skip licence plate lotteries, as well as free licence plates. Daimler estimates that rebates may reach as high as 120,000 yuan ($21,250).