BYD Taps James Bond for New Luxury EV Launch in Europe
Is there anyone better to help promote a high-end electric sports car than Daniel Craig, famously known as James Bond? BYD has entered into a collaboration with Craig to unveil its latest model, the Denza Z9 GT, in Europe. This new electric vehicle (EV) boasts an impressive claim: it is the “world’s longest-range pure EV” and supports ultra-fast charging that can replenish the battery in just five minutes.
A Milestone for BYD in European Markets
In the last year, BYD achieved remarkable success in the automotive market, selling more than 4.6 million new energy vehicles, which include electric and plug-in hybrids. This impressive sales volume allowed BYD to surpass Ford, marking a significant moment as it ranked sixth in global auto sales in 2025. While China reigns as the largest EV market, the influx of affordable domestic rivals has spurred a price war, creating an increasingly competitive landscape.
BYD is aggressively expanding its presence overseas, particularly in Europe, where recent data showed that it outsold Tesla for the second consecutive month with 17,954 registered vehicles, compared to Tesla’s 17,664. This positions BYD well to make a grand entrance with one of its most advanced EVs yet.
Launch Details and Unique Features
The Denza Z9 GT, part of BYD’s luxury sub-brand, is set to launch on April 8, 2026. This model incorporates innovative features, such as the new Blade Battery 2.0 and Flash Charging technology.
Performance Specs
The Z9 GT is described as a high-performance luxury shooting brake equipped with three electric motors, delivering a combined output of nearly 1,000 hp (960 PS). This powerhouse can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than three seconds. Its advanced 122 kWh Blade Battery offers up to 800 km (497 miles) of WLTP driving range for the rear-wheel-drive variant.
Promoting Luxury through Celebrity Influence
BYD’s collaboration with Daniel Craig makes perfect sense, especially given his association with luxury vehicles in the James Bond franchise. Known for driving high-end sports cars like Aston Martins and Lotuses, Craig embodies the spirit of luxury and performance that the Z9 GT aims to convey.
Stella Li, BYD’s executive vice president, emphasized the importance of this launch, stating, “The introduction of the DENZA Z9 GT in Europe marks a very important milestone for our brand. The Z9 GT represents the true spirit of DENZA — where advanced technology, beautiful design, and emotional driving come together.”
Flash Charging Technology
The Z9 GT features BYD’s advanced Flash Charging stations, which provide up to 1,500 kW of charging power. This allows electric vehicles to recharge from 10% to 70% in just five minutes. Even under frigid conditions of -30°C, the vehicle can be charged from 20% to 97% in 12 minutes—only three minutes longer than at optimal temperatures. This impressive charging speed is designed to alleviate common concerns associated with EV range anxiety.
Competitive Edge in the EV Market
In China, the Denza Z9 GT offers an astounding driving range of up to 1,036 km (644 miles) under CTLC conditions, officially making it the “world’s longest pure electric driving range vehicle.” Such figures accentuate BYD’s focus on not just competing but leading in the high-performance luxury EV space.
The launch of the Denza Z9 GT encapsulates BYD’s vision for the future: combining technological advancement with luxury and performance in a growing and competitive EV market. The collaboration with an iconic figure such as James Bond further amplifies the vehicle’s allure, making it a significant highlight in both the automotive and luxury segments.