Overseas Denza B5 and B8 SUV models signal what to expect locally from BYD Australia's soon-to-launch premium brand.
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BYD Australia has remained tight-lipped on the make-up of its Denza luxury sub-brand launching later this year, but the line-up in the Middle East has given the best indication yet on what to expect.
Two Denza models will be available in Qatar, the B5 and B8 SUVs, which have been shown with new front-end styling adorned with brand-specific badging.
To date, the B5 and B8 have only been seen with Fangchengbao badging – the sub-brand they are sold under in BYD’s home market of China.
The Denza models also differ slightly in terms of styling, with the B8 model sporting a revised bumper with unique front scuff plate and lacking the roof-mounted camera system when compared to its Chinese counterpart.
The B5 however, remains closer in design to its Fangchengbao cousin, save for the badging.
Both models are built on a ladder-frame chassis and feature plug-in hybrid powertrains to differentiate themselves from perceived rivals like the Toyota Prado and Ford Everest.
The B5 features a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine paired to two electric motors, which in overseas markets combine for a claimed 505kW/760Nm.
The B8 scores a larger 2.0-litre engine to up the ante to 550kW/760Nm.
Both models share commonality in powertrain and platform with the BYD Shark 6 ute, which has a claimed 321kW/650Nm output.
Outside of the B5 and B8, which have both been spotted in camouflage in Australia, BYD is promising more models to sit under its Denza umbrella.
Other options in the Denza portfolio in China include the D9 people mover, N7 family SUV, and Z9 sedan/wagon, but BYD Australia could tap other Fangchengbao or even Yangwang products to bulk out the local line-up.
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Tung Nguyen has been in the automotive journalism industry for over a decade, cutting his teeth at various publications before finding himself at Drive in 2024. With experience in news, feature, review, and advice writing, as well as video presentation skills, Tung is a do-it-all content creator. Tung’s love of cars first started as a child watching Transformers on Saturday mornings, as well as countless hours on PlayStation’s Gran Turismo, meaning his dream car is a Nissan GT-R, with a Liberty Walk widebody kit, of course.
