BYD’s new full-size electric SUV, the Denza N9 EV, was revealed in a regulatory filing, weighing in at over 8,200 lbs (3,760 kg). That creates one issue.
BYD is launching the new Denza N9 EV
The Denza N9 first went on sale last March, a flagship plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV with a combined CLTC range of about 807 miles (1,300 km) on a full charge and full tank of gas.
BYD introduced the updated Flash Charging version earlier this year, which uses its second-generation Blade Batteries and delivers a pure electric CLTC range of 260 miles (420 km). Combined, it gets up to 944 miles (1,520 km) under CLTC conditions.
In the latest batch of new energy vehicles (NEVs) approved for sale by China’s MIIT (Ministry of Information Technology) this week, a new all-electric Denza N9 appeared.
The filing revealed the Denza N9 EV will be available with three electric motors, delivering a combined output of 1,193 horsepower (890 kW).
A badge on the back reveals it will use BYD’s tri-motor e3 platform. The setup features a single 362 horsepower (270 kW) front motor and two 415 horsepower (310 kW) rear electric motors.
The electric version measures 5,270 mm long, 2,030 mm wide, and 1,830 mm tall, with a 3,125 mm wheelbase, which is the same as the current Denza N9 PHEV Flash Charging model. It will be available in five- and six-seat configurations.
While the filing reveals it will use a lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery with cells from BYD’s battery unit, FinDreams, it does not provide specifics like capacity or driving range.
One relatively big thing to note: the Denza N9 EV has a gross weight of 3,760 kg, or about 8,289 lbs.
BYD Denza N9 EV details (Source: China MIIT)
As AutoNext points out, this makes it too heavy for an EU category B driving license, which covers up to 3,500 kg (7,716 lbs).
Last year, the EU updated the rules, allowing drivers who have held a category B license for two years to drive alternative-fuelled vehicles with a maximum weight of up to 4,250 kg (9,369 lbs).
While the Denza N9 EV would qualify as listed, newer drivers would still need a commercial EU category C1 driving license to drive it.
BYD launched its luxury sub-brand, Denza, in Europe and the UK in March, starting with the Z9 GT and the D9 van. More recently, it introduced the Bao 5 PHEV SUV and the Denza Z electric supercar.
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