Mercedes-Benz parent company Daimler has unveiled its DENZA all-electric vehicle at the Beijing motor show.
The global debut of the DENZA production model represents the culmination of cooperative efforts at the 50:50 R&D technology joint venture established by Daimler and BYD back in 2010 – the first Sino-German joint venture dedicated to an all-electric vehicle in China.
“DENZA is the first complete vehicle that Daimler has developed together with BYD outside of Germany and it is undoubtedly one key pillar of Daimler’s electric vehicle strategy in China“, said Daimler boss Prof. Thomas Weber.
While outwardly bearing certain familiar Mercedes-Benz styling cues, the DENZA has been designed mainly around its lithium iron phosphate battery which is framed by a lightweight aluminium case with extrusion profiles.
The 86 kW all-electric engine provides a maximum speed of up to 93 mph and peak torque of 290 Nm. With its 47.5 kWh battery capacity, the DENZA offers a claimed range of up to 186 miles.
In light of the fact that the average daily driving distance in China is 31 to 49 miles a day, Daimler-BYD says the typical customer will only have to recharge the car twice a week. Charging times are said to range from seven hours to less than an hour.
The DENZA brand is also working with global technology group ABB, with whom it plans to establish the world’s largest charging infrastructure in China by 2020.
After having completed 18 months of road testing, DENZA is also the first electric vehicle to be tested according to C-NCAP consumer ratings at C-NCAP facilities, obtaining the highest possible rating of 5 stars.
The first DENZA car is scheduled to hit the market later on in September of this year.
Source: Daimler
