BYD's Denza brand opened pre-orders for the five-seat Denza N8 EV in China on Monday, October 26, ahead of its official launch in November. The luxury electric SUV is making two eye-catching promises: up to 623 miles of range on the CLTC cycle and a charge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes.
Here's what to know
The Denza N8 nameplate is not new. As Electrek reported, BYD first sold it in China in 2023 as a plug-in hybrid and is now bringing it back as a fully electric SUV.
Under the China Light-Duty Vehicle Test Cycle (CLTC), Denza claims the N8 EV can deliver "a world-leading 1,003 km pure electric range," or about 623 miles. The company said the SUV will use BYD's second-generation Blade Batteries and 1,500-kW Flash Charging technology.
China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology published key N8 EV specs in an August regulatory filing, including a 130.15-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The document also listed the SUV at 5,150 mm (202.8 inches) long, 1,999 mm (78.7 inches) wide, and 1,820 mm (71.7 inches) high, with a 3,075 mm (121.1-inch) wheelbase.
At the top end, the tri-motor all-wheel-drive N8 EV is rated at a combined 890 kW, while the rear-wheel-drive version uses a single motor rated at 320 kW. BYD plans to offer both configurations.
More background
BYD says the EV can match the hybrid's combined electric-and-gas driving distance using battery power alone. The original Denza N8 launched in China as a mid-to-large luxury SUV with plug-in hybrid power and six- and seven-seat layouts.
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Range anxiety remains one of the biggest hurdles for shoppers considering a large electric SUV. A model that combines a 623-mile CLTC rating with a five-minute jump from 10% to 70% could make long trips and busy daily driving more practical for families who want SUV space without stopping for gas.
A 30-inch center infotainment display spans much of the passenger side, and a 43-inch panoramic head-up display is located beneath the windshield. Ambient lighting, a three-spoke steering wheel, and upscale materials add to the interior.
Autohome has already published road photos of the Denza N8 EV ahead of launch, showing the SUV in China without camouflage. The images reveal roof-mounted LiDAR and a sleek exterior.
What can be done?
Rather than focusing on a single selling point, BYD is pairing a large battery with ultra-fast charging hardware. Denza said compatible vehicles using its 1,500-kW charging tech can go from 10% to 97% in nine minutes.
In China, shoppers can also choose between a single-motor rear-drive model and a high-output all-wheel-drive version based on BYD's e3 platform. That gives buyers different ways to prioritize efficiency, performance, or both.
Denza calls the N8 EV "The king of large 5-seater pure electric vehicles."
Drivers thinking about making their next car an EV may be watching for longer range, faster charging, and the potential to save money on fuel costs while reducing routine maintenance compared to gas-powered SUVs.
Charging an EV at home often costs half as much as using public chargers, but basic Level 1 charging is usually slow. Qmerit provides free, instant installation estimates for faster Level 2 home charger installations.
Where can I learn more?
The Denza N8 isn't the only model tied to BYD's push for longer range and faster charging.
• In China, BYD added the Denza Z9 GT with five-minute charging and 1,032 horsepower.
• BYD revealed its Denza Z9S luxury EV with more than 570 miles of range.
• Using new Blade batteries, BYD's Seal 06 EV now charges in six minutes.
• BYD opened Sealion 08 SUV preorders in China with nine-minute charging and 900 km range.
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