Denza B8 News

This potential BYD model could be the brand's next big hit in Oz.

Denza has confirmed pricing for its Toyota LC300 and Nissan Patrol rivalling B8 4WD, with the plug-in powered off-roader launching at $91,000.

These days it seems like a new car brand arrives in Australia each week, so it can be easy to become ambivalent about each new name.But you should be paying attention to the latest arrival, because it has the potential to really shake things up, even if you’ve never heard of it before.Denza is the brand in question, revealing plans for a pair of new ‘premium’ off-roaders — the B5 and B8 — to hit showrooms by the end of 2025. So why should you care about Denza?Because it isn’t an ‘all-new’ brand here, it’s actually a spin-off from BYD, which is already well-established in Australia and rapidly rising up the sales charts with its mix of plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, including the popular Shark 6 ute.In fact, it’s the success of the Shark 6, a plug-in hybrid dual-cab, that bodes so well for Denza. The Shark 6 is already amongst the best-selling 4x4 utes on the market, sure it may be nowhere near the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux in sheer volume, but it has already cemented a place amongst the top five utes each month.Based on the sales data available to us, it’s comfortably out-selling Ford’s plug-in hybrid Ranger, showing that a new audience is embracing new technology from new brands in the traditional ute market.Denza will be hoping to do the same in the off-road space, with the B5 and B8 clearly aimed at Toyota’s beloved LandCruiser and Prado. Like the Shark, they will offer something different, with a potent (425kW and 450kW) plug-in hybrid set-up and plenty of other technologies and luxuries.We don’t know how much they’ll cost yet, but despite all the talk of Denza being a ‘premium’ offering, history suggests this Chinese brand will be aggressive on price to undercut its more established competition.The recent strong sales performances of BYD, GWM, Chery and MG underline how important value is to the current generation of brand-agnostic buyers. In this post-Holden/Ford locally-made cars world we now find ourselves, brand loyalty is a thing of the past.Value is what Australian new car buyers are looking for and it’s the Chinese brands that are looking to provide it. Whether it is sustainable or not is an entirely different debate, and one that’s irrelevant for people looking to purchase a new car in the here and now.BYD is already up nearly 150 per cent in sales volume in the first three quarters of 2025, led by the Shark 6 but ably backed up by the Sealion 6 PHEV and Sealion 7 EV SUVs. BYD will look to gain even more of the new car market by appealing to both first time car buyers and EV bargain hunters, when the new $25k Atto 1 hatch goes on sale and undercuts not only every other electric car but also most cars full stop.It is clear that, now run in-house, BYD is looking to make sure it remains headed up the sales charts. So if you only remember a few names from this current influx of new brands, make sure it’s BYD and Denza, because they are the ones most likely to make a lasting impact.

Denza plans to replicate the success of the Shark 6 in Australia with its incoming B5 plug-in hybrid off-road SUV.

BYD has introduced a new version of its LandCruiser rival in China.

There’s been a lot of noise about US President Donald Trump’s high-percentage import tariffs on everything from steel, copper and aluminium to timber, furniture and you guessed it, cars and car parts.But it was his predecessor, Joe Biden that upped the tariff on Chinese electric vehicles from 27.5 per cent under the first Trump administration, to the current 100 per cent rate.Not surprisingly, this slammed the brakes on the ambitions of Chinese carmakers for growth in the US, which has led to a pitched battle in the domestic market with manufacturing capacity and current output outweighing demand.And China’s biggest carmaker, BYD has been reaching into its deep pockets to cut profit margins and drive a price war many believe is designed to put smaller players to the sword.But it’s possible these heavy-handed tactics may be backfiring because for the first time since 2020 the rise and rise of BYD has faltered. As reported by CarNewsChina BYD Group sales in China fell 5.9 per cent (to 393,060 units) in September, compared to the same month last year, following two months where year-on-year sales had been close to flat.In particular, BYD’s plug-in hybrid numbers dropped 25.6 per cent last month, with sales now declining for six consecutive months since April.But while the mother ship BYD brand has borne the brunt of the domestic downturn, its relatively small-volume sub-brands have gone the other way. Fang Cheng Bao (off-road capable SUVs) grew 345 percent (to 24,121 units), Denza (premium models) was up 20.5 per cent (to 12,407 units) and Yangwang (super performance models) improved by 145 per cent (to 758 units) in September, YOY.Of course, BYD has been aggressively seeking new market opportunities to fill a USA-sized export hole in its business plan. And Australia is clearly a target, as the brand has made a big impact locally in a stunningly short period of time.Having recently switched from an importer/distributor arrangement to a direct factory subsidiary, BYD is now a regular top 10 new car player here (P8 year-to-date in 2025) with models like the Sealion 7 SUV and Shark 6 dual cab ute occupying an increasing number of Aussie driveways.And there’s lots more on the way, with the Atto 2 small electric SUV and large three-row Sealion 8 PHEV both approved for local sale and expected to arrive before the end of the year.But the next step is a flanking manoeuvre, using the Denza brand to expand BYD’s group-wide offering. And this week saw confirmation of a November arrival for the Denza B5 and B8 PHEV 4WD SUVs.Marketed in China under the Fang Cheng Bao Leopard Series banner, the B5 is a mid-size plug-in hybrid riding on a full body-on-frame chassis powered by a 1.5-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine and two electric motors for combined outputs of 505kW and 760Nm with a 1200km overall range. Then, the larger, seven-seat B8, also a Fang Cheng Bao Leopard model in China, is a similar separate-frame 4WD powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine and a pair of electric motors delivering 550kW/760Nm with a 1200km range.Both feature a trio of diff locks, selectable terrain modes and generous ground clearance for serious off-road performance and the standard specification is sky-high with multiple media and instrument screens included in a premium interior fit-out.Look out Toyota RAV4 and LandCruiser Prado! BYD said this week it would offer a curated range of premium vehicles from BYD’s three acclaimed sub-brands in Australia under the Denza brand.This means models from the Yangwang product portfolio will soon be on offer here. Most likely the front-engine, quad-motor U8 SUV; a large, five-seat ‘tank turn’ capable 4WD.Stand by for more BYD and Denza new model news as the Chinese giant’s push into this market continues to build momentum.

Denza has announced its range for the Australian market. The BYD subsidiary will bring across two off-road capable plug-in hybrid vehicles in the form of B5 and the B8. Denza Australia Chief Operating Officer Mark Harland said entering Australia will offer greater options for buyers. “This is a landmark moment in the Australian automotive industry,” he said.“DENZA will offer a whole new range for consumers wanting a slice of luxury and the latest in innovation. “It’s built for explorers, pioneers, and leaders. For those who see roads as invitations, not boundaries, we know DENZA will be one of the most exciting premium brand launches to date.”The B5 uses a 145kW 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine paired with two permanent magnet synchronous electric motors, one on each axle.This makes for a combined power and torque output of 505kW/760Nm. Thanks to the 31.8kWh BYD ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate battery (LFP), the B5 has an electric-only range of 100km (WLTP) and a combined petrol-electric range of 1200km.The seven-seater B8 combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with dual-electric motors to produce 550kW and 760Nm, allegedly achieving 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds.The dual-electric motors are powered by a 36.8kWh LFP battery, which has a claimed WLTP range of 100km. Pricing and more detailed specifications will be revealed closer to the launch date. 

China’s BYD has been spied testing a right-hand drive version of the premium Denza B8 in Australia ahead of an expected local launch.Photos and short videos of this camouflaged prototype were uploaded to the BYD Denza B5 & B8 Australia Facebook group. It was parked on the side of the Pacific Highway in Brooklyn, New South Wales.A vehicle registration search confirms this car is a black Denza B8 “evaluation vehicle”.As previously reported, BYD is launching its Denza premium off-shoot brand in Australia before the end of 2025.The first Denza model to be offered locally is the B5 plug-in hybrid SUV, which is smaller than the three-row B8. It’s around the size of a Toyota Prado.At this stage the company hasn’t confirmed whether the B8 will join Denza’s Australian model line-up, but it’s believed there is a strong chance it’ll head our way.The B8, along with the B5, were also confirmed for a launch in Africa and the Middle East from the third quarter of 2025.Known in China as the Leopard 8 under the Fengchengbao off-road brand from BYD, the Denza B8 has a slightly different front grille design, along with Denza badging all around.CarsGuide got a chance to drive a left-hand drive Fengchengbao version earlier this year in China.Measuring in at 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall with a 2920mm wheelbase, the B8 is a large three-row SUV that’s larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and more on par with the likes of the Land Rover Defender 130.Power comes from a PHEV powertrain that includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 550kW and 760Nm. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds despite a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes.The two electric motors are fed by a 36.8kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to offer 100km of electric range, according to WLTP testing.All up there’s a claimed range 1200km, according to lenient CLTC testing.The Denza B8 is built on a body-on-frame chassis with double wishbone independent suspension that also features ‘DiSus-P’ air suspension.Ground clearance is 220mm in normal mode and increases to 310mm when lifted up. The B8 has a wading depth of up to 890mm, approach and departure angles of 34 and 35 degrees, respectively, as well as a low-speed four-wheel drive mode, three automatic diff locks and a long list of off-road modes.

China’s BYD has revealed its next luxurious SUV that will be offered in global markets outside of China.As reported by Car News China, the Denza B8 large plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV will be offered in Africa and the Middle East from the third quarter of 2025.It’ll be offered there alongside the Toyota Prado-rivalling Denza B5 PHEV SUV.Known domestically as the Leopard 8 under the Fengchengbao off-road brand from BYD, the Denza B8 has a slightly different front grille design, along with Denza badging all around.The Denza brand, which is a premium off-shoot from BYD, will launch locally by the end of 2025 with the B5.At this stage the company hasn’t confirmed whether the B8 will join Denza’s Australian model line-up, but it is believed there is a strong chance it'll head out way.CarsGuide got a chance to drive a left-hand drive Fengchengbao version earlier this year in China.Measuring in at 5195mm long, 1994mm wide and 1905mm tall with a 2920mm wheelbase, the B8 is a large three-row SUV that’s larger than a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series and more on par with the likes of the Land Rover Defender 130.Power comes from a PHEV powertrain that includes a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and two electric motors for total system outputs of 550kW and 760Nm. It’s claimed to be able to do the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.8 seconds despite a kerb weight of 3.3 tonnes.The two electric motors are fed by a 36.8kWh ‘Blade’ lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery that’s claimed to offer 100km of electric range, according to WLTP testing.All up there’s a claimed range 1200km, according to lenient CLTC testing.The Denza B8 is built on a body-on-frame chassis with double wishbone independent suspension that also features ‘DiSus-P’ air suspension.Ground clearance is 220mm in normal mode and increases to 310mm when lifted up. The B8 has a wading depth of up to 890mm, approach and departure angles of 34 and 35 degrees, respectively, as well as a low-speed four-wheel drive mode, three automatic diff locks and a long list of off-road modes.