A LITTLE known car brand has revealed a new motor that will rival an iconic Land Rover model and it’s coming to the UK in just months.
The premium hybrid off-roader will be part of the manufacturers new line-up as it prepares to break into UK markets.
In a direct challenge to the Land Rover Defender, Denza are bringing their new BYD Denza B5 to the UK.
With competitive off-road stats and levels of power only seen in supercars, the B5 is a premium plug-in hybrid 4×4.
It was launched in China last year as the Bao 5 and is one of three new models from BYD’s SUV sub-brand Fangchengbao.
But it’s likely to be named Denza in the UK and positioned as a sibling to the Z9 GT which will also be hitting UK markets next year.
Denza is a joint venture between BYD and Mercedes-Benz and was founded in 2010 but it’s wholly owned by the Chinese company.
The motor will make its debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed next week ahead of the 4×4 hitting the market in early 2026.
The company’s president, Stella Li, told Autocar last year that she predicted the SUVs “will be very popular in the UK”.
She said: “In the UK, the roads are narrow but we love these big SUV off-road cars, so Fangchengbao will be here.”
BYD has so far been absent in the large premium SUVs sector which is highly popular.
No specification details have been released for the new B5, but is expected to largely resemble the car in China.
It uses a “DMO Super Hybrid Off-Road” ladder-frame platform and its power comes from a plug-in hybrid system centre around a 1.5 litre turbo engine with an electric motor on each axle.
It can reach 677bhp, more than any Defender, including the V8 Octa.
It’s considerable battery can supposedly reach a range of up to 78 miles but that’s likely to be around 50 miles in practice.
The B5 is part of BYD’s effort to increase its hybrid car offering against a backdrop of wavering EV uptake in Europe.
The core BYD line-up is also set to see a new arrival next year with the Seal 06, a plug-in hybrid in the mould of the BMW 3 Series.
The B5 announcement comes as The Sun reported in April that Denza was readying its stylish Denza Z9 GT.
It will launch in Europe this year, with a UK launch expected for 2026.
The luxury estate, which is looking to break into the same market occupied by the Porsche Panamera and Porsche Taycan, was designed by former Audi and Alfa Romeo designer Wolfgang Egger.
The Sun also reported in March that BYD is readying a low-cost, pint-sized hatchback called the Dolphin Surf which is to be launched in the UK later this year.
BYD is hoping to compete with the likes of Dacia and Fiat with the new release – which will be one of the cheapest available to buy from new.
The upcoming release comes as BYD looks to establish itself as a major player in the global car market – with the lofty goal of becoming the world’s largest car maker.
The UK is seen as a key market for its success, with BYD’s brand awareness increasing from 1% at the start of 2024 to 31% by the end of the year.
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