The race for longer-range electric vehicles is heating up in China, and BYD’s premium Denza brand is pushing the limits with its new N8 electric SUV.
Newly released regulatory data from China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) confirms that the large electric SUV can offer a CLTC range of up to 1,003 km (623 miles) with a massive 130.15 kWh battery.
The latest filings also reveal details about the extended-wheelbase Denza N8L, as well as the N8’s powerful triple-motor all-wheel-drive version producing an extraordinary 890 kW (1,193 hp).
Denza N8 Offers Up to 1,003 km of Range
According to MIIT certification data, the Denza N8 will be available with two battery capacities: 105.792 kWh and 130.15 kWh.
Depending on the battery and vehicle configuration, the N8 achieves claimed CLTC ranges of:
– 1,003 km (623 miles)
– 970 km (603 miles)
– 840 km (522 miles)
– 800 km (497 miles)
The Denza N8L, which uses the larger 130.15 kWh LFP battery, is rated for up to 960 km (597 miles) under the CLTC test cycle.
The 1,003 km figure puts the N8 among the longest-range battery-electric SUVs currently being developed. However, the figure should be viewed carefully because the Chinese CLTC testing procedure generally produces higher range estimates than the WLTP cycle used in Europe.
No official WLTP figures have been announced for the new Denza N8. Real-world range is also likely to be considerably lower than the headline CLTC figure, particularly at highway speeds and in cold weather.
The enormous battery is clearly a major factor behind the N8’s impressive range. How efficiently the five-metre-plus SUV uses that energy will be just as important as the battery’s capacity.
Up to 890 kW From Three Electric Motors
Range is not the only area where Denza is pushing the limits.
The N8 will be available with rear-wheel-drive configurations producing 320 kW (429 hp) or 370 kW (497 hp).
At the top of the lineup is a triple-motor all-wheel-drive system. It combines:
– One front motor producing 270 kW (362 hp)
– Two rear motors producing 310 kW (416 hp) each
– Combined system output of 890 kW (1,193 hp)
That makes the most powerful Denza N8 an extreme performance SUV as well as a long-distance EV.
Denza is also expected to equip the N8 with BYD’s Flash Charging technology. The company claims the system can charge the battery from 10% to 97% in as little as nine minutes, although real-world charging times will depend on battery temperature, charging infrastructure and other conditions.
N8 Is Larger Than Its Predecessor
The new Denza N8 measures 5,150 mm (202.8 inches) long, 1,999 mm (78.7 inches) wide and 1,820 mm (71.7 inches) tall, with a 3,075 mm (121.1-inch) wheelbase.
That makes it approximately 26 cm (10.2 inches) longer than the previous N8 and puts it in the same general size category as large luxury SUVs such as the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
The Denza N8L stretches the body to 5,200 mm (204.7 inches), while retaining the 1,999 mm width, 1,820 mm height and 3,075 mm wheelbase. The extended model is designed to provide additional interior space and is offered with six seats.
Visually, the new N8 and N8L retain the basic design language of the current Denza lineup rather than introducing a radically different appearance.
A Major Step Forward From the Original N8
The latest figures also highlight how quickly electric vehicle technology has advanced since the Denza N8 first launched in 2023.
The original battery-electric N8 was offered with a battery of up to 108.8 kWh. At the time, the plug-in hybrid version had a combined claimed range of 1,030 km.
The new battery-electric N8 can now travel almost the same distance using electricity alone under the CLTC cycle, despite being a large and powerful SUV.
That progress reflects the rapid development of battery technology and the increasingly aggressive competition among Chinese EV manufacturers.
Denza Sales Continue to Grow
Denza’s expanding product lineup comes as the brand continues to grow under BYD’s ownership.
The company sold 19,196 vehicles globally in July, representing a 68.8% year-over-year increase. June marked another important milestone, with monthly sales exceeding 20,000 units for the first time.
BYD is also rapidly increasing its international presence. The automaker exported 179,841 vehicles in July, up 124% from the same month a year earlier, with overseas sales accounting for 43% of its total volume.
The N8 could therefore become an important part of Denza’s international expansion if the company decides to offer the model outside China.
Will the Denza N8 Come to Europe?
For now, Denza has not confirmed a European launch for the new N8, and pricing for the latest electric versions has not been announced.
Existing Denza N8 models in China start at around 300,000 yuan (approximately €38,450), although European pricing would likely be substantially higher after taxes, transportation, homologation and other costs.
If the Denza N8 reaches European markets, three factors will be particularly important: pricing, charging performance and its official WLTP range.
A claimed 1,003 km CLTC range certainly grabs attention, but the eventual WLTP rating and real-world highway range will provide a much clearer picture of what the huge 130.15 kWh battery can actually deliver.
With a 130 kWh-class battery, up to 890 kW of power and claimed charging from 10% to 97% in just nine minutes, the new Denza N8 demonstrates just how quickly China’s high-end EV segment is moving toward longer range and dramatically faster charging.
[source: CarNewsChina]
