Source: Denza

BYD (HKG: 1211)'s luxury brand Denza announced on February 27, 2026 that the updated Z9GT achieves a CLTC range of 1,036 km (644 miles) on a single charge, claiming it as the world record for a pure battery electric vehicle in production. The announcement came alongside the opening of pre-sale bookings, with full pricing for the updated model yet to be disclosed.

Source: Denza

The figure represents a 460 km (286 miles) increase over the current Z9GT's 630 km (391 miles) CLTC rating — a 64% improvement achieved through a larger Blade battery pack and improved powertrain efficiency.

There is, however, a notable footnote: according to Chinese MIIT regulatory filings published earlier in February, the standard Z9 sedan — equipped with the same battery packs — carries a CLTC rating of up to 1,068 km (664 miles), which would rank higher still. Denza has not officially claimed the record for the sedan.

Source: Denza

The 1,036 km rating is delivered by the 122.496 kWh Blade battery pack, BYD's proprietary lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cell technology. The Z9GT is also offered with a 102.326 kWh pack, producing five CLTC range variants: 820 km (510 miles), 860 km (534 miles), 880 km (547 miles), 1,002 km (623 miles), and 1,036 km (644 miles). The 1,036 km peak applies to the newly added single-motor rear-wheel-drive configuration at its most efficient setting.

Source: Denza

That single-motor variant is itself new for the update, rated at 370 kW (496 hp) with a top speed of 240 km/h (149 mph). The existing tri-motor configuration — known as Yi San Fang — gains power to a combined 850 kW (1,140 hp), up from 710 kW in the outgoing model, with a top speed of 270 km/h (168 mph). In that configuration, range on the larger pack is 860 km (534 miles) CLTC.

The plug-in hybrid variant also receives a substantial upgrade. Its battery grows to 63.82 kWh — nearly double the current model's capacity — enabling a CLTC pure-electric range exceeding 400 km (249 miles), compared with 201 km (125 miles) in the outgoing PHEV. WLTC pure-electric range stands at 301 km (187 miles). The hybrid powertrain pairs a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing 152 kW (204 hp) with three electric motors for a combined 640 kW (858 hp).

Denza was founded in 2011 as a 50-50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler AG before BYD raised its stake to 90% in 2022. Mercedes-Benz fully divested its remaining 10% share in September 2024, making Denza a wholly owned BYD subsidiary. The Z9GT launched in September 2024 as the brand's first flagship shooting brake following that transition to independent operation.

Source: Denza

The updated model's interior retains its symmetrical cockpit layout with a 17.3-inch central touchscreen and dual 13.2-inch 2.5K displays, linked via a 4nm DiLink chip. BYD's DiPilot 300 "God's Eye" B 5.0 system is standard. The LiDAR unit moves from the front fascia to the roof, and a "smart driving blue light" status indicator is added. New 21-inch low-rolling-resistance alloys and a Fjord Green exterior colour also debut. Dimensions remain unchanged at 5,195 (5,180) mm × 1,990 mm × 1,480 (1,500) mm, with a 3,125 mm wheelbase.

The Z9GT's record claim sits atop a rapidly crowding leaderboard. Denza occupies the top two positions simultaneously: the Z9 sedan leads at 1,068 km (664 miles) — per MIIT filings, not yet an official brand record claim — followed by the Z9GT's declared 1,036 km. Both achieve this with 122.5 kWh packs, at an efficiency of 11.47 kWh and 11.82 kWh per 100 km respectively.

Third place belongs to BYD stablemate Yangwang's updated U7 sedan at 1,006 km (625 miles) CLTC with its 150.01 kWh Blade pack. Its heavier battery means the U7 consumes 17.7 kWh per 100 km — half again as much as the Z9GT — underscoring the aerodynamic and powertrain advantage the shooting brake has over the larger luxury sedan. The U7 starts at 628,000 CNY (c. $91,500).

Source: Xiaomi

Fourth is the refreshed Xiaomi (HKG: 1810) SU7 Pro at 902 km (561 miles) CLTC via a 96.3 kWh battery, with a gain of 72 km over the prior generation achieved through the more efficient V6s Plus motor rather than a larger pack.

The SU7 Pro starts at 259,900 CNY (c. $37,900). Geely-owned Zeekr (NYSE: ZK)'s 007 rounds out the top five at 870 km (541 miles) CLTC with a 100 kWh NMC pack, priced from 209,900 CNY (c. $30,600). An updated 900V variant of the 007 is expected in Q2 2026.

The current Z9GT starts at 354,800 CNY (c. $51,700) for the entry BEV; updated model pricing is pending. All range figures are on the CLTC cycle, which typically runs 15–20% higher than WLTP — important context as the Z9GT prepares for a 2026 European launch.

As BYD simultaneously deploys megawatt flash charging infrastructure at scale across China, the top end of China's EV range ladder now raises a genuinely open question: with 1,000-km-plus sedans multiplying, does anybody still need a petrol station?

Conversion rate: 1 USD = 6.86 CNY as of February 27, 2026