BYD previews luxury MPV, DENZA D9; launches refreshed Atto 3
15 Jan 2024|63,958 views
The playing field for luxury MPVs has heated up considerably in recent times, as carmakers increasingly recognise the appeal of these large people-movers.
The next potential player? An all-electric model by a name that may not ring a bell to most Singaporeans yet, called the Denza D9. Though not an official part of the 2024 Singapore Motor Show, the model was on display last Thursday to Sunday (11 January to 14 January 2024) at the Level 1 atrium of Suntec City.
The Denza brand started life as a 50:50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler Group (now Mercedes-Benz Group). The D9 MPV is now aimed at taking the fight to other premium people-movers, which are gaining popularity in recent times
While the name is likely to sound foreign, its parent company should be quite familiar by now. Denza is part of BYD's (apparent) larger strategy for world domination, and appears to have been birthed to more clearly move BYD into the premium or luxury sector. The company's credentials speak to this as well: Mercedes-Benz Group (then-Daimler) was roped in to co-found the brand 2010, and once held a 50% stake, although this has been reduced to 10% over time.
Unfortunately, we cannot go into the specific features and powertrain details of the Denza D9 currently. Sgcarmart understands from Vantage Automotive, BYD's local authorised dealer, that there is still no fixed timeline on its arrival here - meaning that even an official launch within the year is potentially not on the cards.
Nonetheless, you'll want to know that the D9 is offered either as a plug-in hybrid or a full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) internationally. Our bets are on the latter making it to our shores, given BYD's all-electric positioning in Singapore.
BEV variants of the D9 are offered in either front-wheel driven or all-wheel driven variants, and can cover up to 620km on a full charge
BEV variants of the D9 are built on BYD's bespoke e-Platform 3.0 (also used for the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal), and offered with either single-motor front-wheel drive, or dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
The all-electric MPV also gets quite a sizeable battery abroad - a 103.36kWh one, to be more precise - that can provide a rated range of up to 620km on a single charge.
The display unit at Suntec City featured plush captain's chairs with detachable touch displays on the arm rests, as well as separate multimedia screens for the second-row passengers
As for creature comforts, fully-specced variants of the D9 appear well-poised to take on the most respected heavyweights of the premium MPV segment.
The unit that was displayed in Suntec City, for instance, had plush captain's chairs in the second row (we sat in them to try for ourselves) with their own detachable touch displays to control a multitude of functions. It also had multimedia screens attached to the back of the front seats, and large screens up front for the driver's display and infotainment. Finally, like the BYD Seal Performance we tested, this specific D9 also had BYD's Dynaudio multi-speaker system fitted.
The Denza D9, however, wasn't the only star of BYD's atrium booth.
The new Atto 3's blacked out 'Dragon Scale' D-pillar covering gives the car a racier look; the SUV's tyres have also been upgraded to wider Continental EcoContact 6s
Also making one of its first public appearances over the weekend was the refreshed 2024 BYD Atto 3, which is now officially on sale.
The facelifted Atto 3 comes with a few light but important updates to sharpen its appeal. Externally, you'll notice that its 'Dragon Scale' D-pillar covering has now been painted over in black (from silver/chrome previously), giving the electric SUV a sportier look. Its tyres have been upgraded too, swapping its Atlas Batman A51 tyres for wider and more premium Continental EcoContact 6s.
On the inside, the Atto 3's central infotainment screen has also been upgraded to a 15.6-inch unit, up from 12.8-inches previously.
Drivers will also get to choose a new black-blue colour combination for the car's interior (applicable for cars in Cosmos Black or Boulder Grey).
Finally, the car's onboard charger now boasts a slightly higher charging speed of 88kW (from 80kW previously) using a DC outlet.
| Car model | Price as of press time (including COE) |
| 2024 BYD Atto 3 100kW 60.5kWh | $146,888 |
The playing field for luxury MPVs has heated up considerably in recent times, as carmakers increasingly recognise the appeal of these large people-movers.
The next potential player? An all-electric model by a name that may not ring a bell to most Singaporeans yet, called the Denza D9. Though not an official part of the 2024 Singapore Motor Show, the model was on display last Thursday to Sunday (11 January to 14 January 2024) at the Level 1 atrium of Suntec City.
The Denza brand started life as a 50:50 joint venture between BYD and Daimler Group (now Mercedes-Benz Group). The D9 MPV is now aimed at taking the fight to other premium people-movers, which are gaining popularity in recent times
While the name is likely to sound foreign, its parent company should be quite familiar by now. Denza is part of BYD's (apparent) larger strategy for world domination, and appears to have been birthed to more clearly move BYD into the premium or luxury sector. The company's credentials speak to this as well: Mercedes-Benz Group (then-Daimler) was roped in to co-found the brand 2010, and once held a 50% stake, although this has been reduced to 10% over time.
Unfortunately, we cannot go into the specific features and powertrain details of the Denza D9 currently. Sgcarmart understands from Vantage Automotive, BYD's local authorised dealer, that there is still no fixed timeline on its arrival here - meaning that even an official launch within the year is potentially not on the cards.
Nonetheless, you'll want to know that the D9 is offered either as a plug-in hybrid or a full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) internationally. Our bets are on the latter making it to our shores, given BYD's all-electric positioning in Singapore.
BEV variants of the D9 are offered in either front-wheel driven or all-wheel driven variants, and can cover up to 620km on a full charge
BEV variants of the D9 are built on BYD's bespoke e-Platform 3.0 (also used for the Atto 3, Dolphin and Seal), and offered with either single-motor front-wheel drive, or dual-motor all-wheel drive powertrains.
The all-electric MPV also gets quite a sizeable battery abroad - a 103.36kWh one, to be more precise - that can provide a rated range of up to 620km on a single charge.
The display unit at Suntec City featured plush captain's chairs with detachable touch displays on the arm rests, as well as separate multimedia screens for the second-row passengers
As for creature comforts, fully-specced variants of the D9 appear well-poised to take on the most respected heavyweights of the premium MPV segment.
The unit that was displayed in Suntec City, for instance, had plush captain's chairs in the second row (we sat in them to try for ourselves) with their own detachable touch displays to control a multitude of functions. It also had multimedia screens attached to the back of the front seats, and large screens up front for the driver's display and infotainment. Finally, like the BYD Seal Performance we tested, this specific D9 also had BYD's Dynaudio multi-speaker system fitted.
The Denza D9, however, wasn't the only star of BYD's atrium booth.
The new Atto 3's blacked out 'Dragon Scale' D-pillar covering gives the car a racier look; the SUV's tyres have also been upgraded to wider Continental EcoContact 6s
Also making one of its first public appearances over the weekend was the refreshed 2024 BYD Atto 3, which is now officially on sale.
The facelifted Atto 3 comes with a few light but important updates to sharpen its appeal. Externally, you'll notice that its 'Dragon Scale' D-pillar covering has now been painted over in black (from silver/chrome previously), giving the electric SUV a sportier look. Its tyres have been upgraded too, swapping its Atlas Batman A51 tyres for wider and more premium Continental EcoContact 6s.
On the inside, the Atto 3's central infotainment screen has also been upgraded to a 15.6-inch unit, up from 12.8-inches previously.
Drivers will also get to choose a new black-blue colour combination for the car's interior (applicable for cars in Cosmos Black or Boulder Grey).
Finally, the car's onboard charger now boasts a slightly higher charging speed of 88kW (from 80kW previously) using a DC outlet.
| Car model | Price as of press time (including COE) |
| 2024 BYD Atto 3 100kW 60.5kWh | $146,888 |
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