Denza Z Spider concept in Beijing – supercar drops top, gains more production-ready interior; July launch

Remember the Denza Z concept shown at Auto Shanghai last year – you know, that outlandish electric supercar out to eat the Porsche 911’s lunch? It has still yet to enter production, but don’t worry, because there’s now a convertible version simply called the Z Spider to when your appetite ahead of its launch.

Gloriously resplendent at the recent Auto China show in Beijing in a jade-like turquoise hue said to be inspired by Florence, the Z Spider takes the original show car’s track refugee looks and brings them closer to production readiness. You still get a low nose with sweptback headlights, strong haunches, an upswept character line in the flanks incorporating the rear air inlets and striking quadruple diamond-shaped taillights.

But the jutting front splitter has shrunk dramatically, and in its place sits an elegant body-coloured “wing” forming the air intakes. Meanwhile, the front fender vents and towering rear wing have been ditched, and the massive diffuser has been toned down a few notches, even if it still looks plenty purposeful. Mind you, Denza says there’s still plenty of aero work going on, including the functional vent in the bonnet. A set of intricate 20-inch Y-spoke alloy wheels complete the Z Spider’s more subtle look.

With the fabric roof tucked away, we also get a glimpse of a seemingly production-ready interior, retaining the coupé’s slim dashboard and narrow “flying buttress” centre console. The three-spoke steering wheel is more conventional and less race-inspired here, albeit still very sporty-looking with a flat top and bottom and large buttons, including one for a Boost function.

There’s still a slim instrument display, an obligatory large infotainment touchscreen and a row of physical toggles, but the coupé’s passenger display has been replaced by a carbon fibre panel. Also sprouted are some elements that make the cabin actually usable, including adjustable air vents, a Qi wireless charger, an array of USB ports, an air fragrancing system and a solitary cupholder.

And as predicted, there are now four seats, upholstered in complementary teal, white and yellow. Occupants are treated to music from a Devialet sound system, while a pair of buttresses trail behind the rear seats over the tonneau cover.

Denza has confirmed targets of over 1,000 hp and a blistering acceleration time from zero to 100 km/h in under two seconds. The Z will also feature specially-developed DiSus-M magnetorheological dampers and the Z9GT‘s e3 platform, suggesting it too will come with a triple-motor electric powertrain and trick independent rear-wheel steering.

The BYD premium offshoot says it has begun testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife and that it will post a lap time in due course. It added that the car will be offered in three versions – including a track-focused variant similar to the original concept – with a naming competition for all three having kicked off in March.

The production Denza Z will make its world premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July, with the Chinese-market launch occurring soon after. Liking the look? Let us know in the comments.

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