The Denza D9 is set to receive a significant update in Malaysia, with the local arm teasing the latest model on its socials. No details have been revealed just yet; the car in the glitzy video looks all the world like the existing luxury electric MPV, so there’s nothing to be gleaned there.
However, the D9 has already debuted in updated form in Indonesia (amusingly under the Danza brand due to a local trademark dispute), so we know exactly what’s coming. The global version of the revised car receives the comprehensive mechanical overhaul from the Chinese-market model and some of the interior tweaks but curiously leaves the rest unchanged.
Firstly, the D9 is set to receive significantly more power. The car is only sold in front-wheel-drive form in Indonesia, but even that one has been boosted to a stout 462 PS (340 kW) and 365 Nm of torque, up from 313 PS (230 kW) and 360 Nm before. That means the front wheels alone will have to deal with far more power than the outgoing 374 PS all-wheel-drive variant, which will surely lead to torque steer that will no doubt be fun to quell.
So equipped, the D9 takes a second out of its zero-to-100 km/h time, although its heft (the car is now over 151 kg heavier at 2,915 kg) means the century sprint still takes 8.5 seconds. No word yet on the new AWD model, which in China adds a 95 PS (70 kW) rear motor for a total output of 557 PS (410 kW), an increase of 183 PS (135 kW).
Also expected is BYD’s second-generation Blade LFP battery, with a minor capacity bump from 103 kWh to 115 kWh. This results in a boost in range to 730 km on the outdated NEDC cycle for the FWD version, up from 600 km previously. Expect a WLTP figure closer to 620 km, which would still be a big improvement over the current 520 km.
Even more significant is the sharp increase in DC fast charging power, with the new battery enabling BYD’s Flash Charging technology at up to 1,500 kW. That’s a world away from the previous maximum of 166 kW, and that means it can charge from 10 to 70% in just five minutes (ready to drive, in the company’s words) and to 97% (a full charge) in nine minutes.
The addition of Flash Charging support is not surprising given that there has been a lot of hubbub surrounding its local deployment of late. As yet, the only BYD-built car to support the system here is the Z9GT, and the addition of a more mainstream, (likely) less expensive model should broaden access to these chargers’ full capabilities.
The rest of the car is largely unchanged, including on the outside. Unlike the Chinese version, the global 2027 D9 retains its vertical grille strakes, although a new design for its 18-inch wheels is reminiscent of that for the Z9GT in other markets. Colour options remains the same and include Whale Sea Blue, Arctic White, Cosmos Black and Starry Night Grey (the latter had already replaced Harbour Grey in Indonesia earlier this year).
Inside, meanwhile, there’s a new centre console that houses twin 50-watt Qi wireless chargers (the old car had just one) and physical controls for drive and powertrain mode selection, air con (no temperature or fan speed control, sadly) and power sliding door operation.
To free up space for all these items, the crystal gear selector has been ditched in favour of a column-mounted shifter that’s all the rage in China these days. Further back, the plush power-adjustable and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs gain new heating and ten-point massage functions, while the third-row bench is now also powered – meaning that the D9’s seat layout can now be adjusted automatically, presumably through the front touchscreen.
The rest of the cabin is unchanged, however, which means we’ll miss out on the major redesign of the Chinese-market car, presumably to save on right-hand-drive conversion costs. That means no passenger display to join the existing 10.25-inch instrument display and 15.6-inch infotainment touchscreen, nor a new steering wheel. That also means the D9 still doesn’t get a rear monitor, although control screens for the second row remain.
We will at least get a sound system upgrade from 14 to 16 speakers, as well as a branding change from Dynaudio to Devialet (again matching the Z9GT). Elsewhere, there’s a new black interior colour scheme that replaces the old beige (the existing tan option remains), while the FWD car receives the DiSus-C adaptive dampers from the old AWD model.
Safety-wise, new rear side airbags boost the airbag count to nine, and new child presence detection joins an already comprehensive driver assistance package that includes Level 2 semi-autonomous driving functionality. What do you think of the changes, and has the D9 has finally overhauled rivals like the Zeekr 009 and Xpeng X9? Let us know in the comments.
Denza D9
from RM299,000 
Denza Z9 GT
from RM368,690 
Denza B8
from RM459,939 
