Denza N8: a new three-row crossover from a joint brand of Mercedes-Benz and BYD

Relaunched last year, the Denza brand continues to expand its lineup: the Denza N8 mid-size crossover premiered in China, it will enter the market in plug-in hybrid and electric versions.
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The Denza brand was launched in 2010 as part of a joint venture between BYD and Daimler (now Mercedes-Benz), but its firstborn, an electric compact MPV based on the first generation Mercedes-Benz B-class, turned out to be a failure. In 2019, the Denza X crossover debuted — this is a second-generation BYD Tang clone, ennobled by Mercedes-Benz designers. The Denza X also didn't sit well with the Chinese consumer, and at the end of 2021, Mercedes-Benz decided to cut its stake in the not-so-successful JV with BYD from 50% to 10%. Denza is now completely run by BYD, even Mercedes-Benz no longer designs its models.

Under the leadership of BYD, the Denza brand began a new life last year: in the spring, the Denza D9 minivan debuted in China, it is equipped with a plug-in hybrid or pure electric power plant. In the spring of 2023, the all-electric Denza N7 coupe crossover was introduced. After the restart, Denza's business went uphill: in the first six months of this year, the brand sold 56,164 vehicles in China — more than Denza's total sales in all previous years. The other day, the presentation of the third model, the Denza N8 crossover, took place.

Denza N8 is, in fact, an attempt to give a second life to the Denza X project, that is, the novelty is based on the same BYD Tang, but already in restyled versions of the 2021-2022 sample. The Denza N8 is slightly longer than the BYD Tang and positioned as a more upscale, premium model. The Denza N8 has its own front and rear styling, sleeker sidewalls and a host of unique interior details, although the layout of the main controls is identical on the two sister models.

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The overall length of the Denza N8 is 4949 mm, the width is 1950 mm, the height is 1725 mm, the wheelbase is 2830 mm. Front suspension — McPherson type, rear — independent multi-link. The cabin can have 5, 6 or 7 seats. The 6-seater version shown in the photos has two separate seats in the second row with an aisle between them.

Denza has yet to release specifications for the N8, but according to documents filed with the Chinese Ministry of Industry, the crossover will be offered as a plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle. There are two hybrid versions: front-wheel drive is equipped with a 1.5-liter gasoline turbo engine with a capacity of 102 kW (139 hp) and an electric motor with a capacity of 160 kW (217.5 hp), all-wheel drive is supplemented by a rear electric motor with a capacity of 200 kW (272 hp).

There are also two electric versions (outside, they differ from hybrid ones in a smooth panel in place of the radiator grill): a single-engine front-wheel drive with a power of 230 kW (313 hp) and a twin-engine all-wheel drive, in which the power of the front electric motor is 230 kW (313 hp), rear — 200 kW (272 hp). There is no information on battery capacity yet.

Prices and specifications for the Denza N8 have not yet been announced, but it will obviously be more expensive than its sister BYD Tang, which starts at 209,800 yuan in China.