I’m going to be honest with you – today’s post was a bit of an afterthought and so it will be a bit shorter.
I tend to go into car shows with a list of articles I want to write, then I focus on capturing the cars to fit those articles. The idea is that I don’t end up scrapping loads of pictures because I can’t fit the cars into what I’m writing about.
Covering the manufacturers and dealers stands at this show was not my intention. So I know full well that I’ve missed a few and for that I apologise. As well as the following manufacturers Morgan were in attendance as were a number of coachbuilders, restromodders and restorers including Kingsley who rebuild classic Land and Range Rovers.
However there were one brand in attendance whom I really wanted to feature on this blog but I couldn’t fit them in anywhere else.
Meet Denza – founded in 2010 as a collaborative effort between BYD Auto and the Mercedes-Benz Group. BYD offering their electric drive train knowledge and Mercedes offering their design knowledge of premium automobiles and safety expertise.
For the majority of its history Denza was focused on the Chinese domestic market. They sold very limited quantities of cars (between 1900 and 4700 each year) which wasn’t meeting Mercedes’ expectations who in 2021 began reducing its share in the business to BYD.
BYD launched a new minivan (the Denza D9) in August 2022 and expanded it’s dealer network across China. Sales increased that year to 9803 units. They continued to expand and launch new cars as Mercedes continued to transfer ownership to BYD. In September 2024 Mercedes fully withdrew. The 2024 sales figures show Denza sold 126,036 throughout China and Hong-Kong.
In 2025 Denza have launched models for Europe and the Middle-East. The Middle-East are getting two SUVs and we are getting the Denza Z9 GT which is aimed to compete with Porsche’s Panamera and the Mercedes S-Class.
The 5 door shooting brake body was designed by ex Lamborghini designer Wolfgang Egger. You can certainly see some Lamborghini influence in BYD’s range – especially n their supercar the U9.
It can be optioned as either a full EV or a plug in hybrid. Sit down for this bit – the plug in hybrid produces 858hp and the full EV produces 952hp! All that power is put to the ground through all four wheels.
As with most modern electric and electrically assisted cars it is a bit of a chunk. Depending on the spec it weighs between 2740KG and 2875KG but with that much power the hybrid will be propelled from 0-60 in 3.6 seconds and the EV will do it in 3.4.
Inside looked very nice. I only got a brief look but the materials used seemed to be nice quality and it features all the bells and whistles you’d expect of a car in this segment (including two fridges which is really cool (pun intended)). My only criticism would be that a lot of the infotainment is handled through touch screens. I personally prefer buttons and switches when I’m driving that I can feel without diverting my attention from the road.
U.K pricing isn’t set yet and estimates vary greatly so we’ll wait to see what Denza say themselves.
The other car they are bringing to the European market is the D9.
This is also available as a plug in hybrid or full electric and has a big spacious interior with lots of technology. Perfect for family road trips!
I’m glad to see minivans making a return. To me they seem a lot more practical than the soft SUVs that have flooded the market over the last 10 years or so.
Sticking with EVs for a minute we have Polestar.
“Back in my day” Polestar were both a motorsport team and a tuning company that build fast Volvos. They were acquired by Volvo in 2015 and Polestar became their EV brand in 2017 whilst Polestar Racing evolved into Cyan Racing.
These two are the 4 and 3 respectively.
Lamborghini had a great stand featuring the Huracan’s replacement – the Temerario.
The Temerario is a plug in hybrid but features a brand new 4.0ltr V8 that will redline at 10250rpm. I bet the soundtrack that this car produces is going to be incredible!
Lamborghini’s performance SUV the Urus has been a very successful seller for the brand.
To me this is a car that really has to suit it’s surroundings. They look fantastic in Dubai or Saudi Arabia, and even in Vegas or L.A. Here in the U.K though I think they look really out of place.
Plenty of people have them here though and as long as they enjoy them, that’s what matters.
Finally they had a beautiful Miura on display.
Aston Martin had Valhalla on display. This is my first time seeing one of these, it’s as impressive as Valkyrie. AM are making some incredible cars at the moment.
You might have noticed Valiant in the background. It’s another phenomenal car but was roped off so it was tricky to get a nice shot.
They also had a DB12 which was very nice.
Essex based Rolls Royce specialists P&A Wood had a Spectre Primavera. This is one of three bespoke cars built to celebrate spring.
They also had this beautiful Phantom II with Park Ward bodywork.
Thanks for reading! Sorry it’s a shorter one today. My next post will be more detailed I’m sure.
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By Richard Francis.
