Driving report Denza N7: Benz from BYD – electromobility (e-mobility), middle class, upper middle class | Information | taxi today – an independent and national taxi magazine

“Denza” was once a 50:50 joint venture between Mercedes-Benz and BYD, hence the name derived from “Benz”. But then “Benz” sold 40% to BYD, so now they have a 10:90 share. After a happy start, “Denza” soon went downhill, so BYD was quickly faced with a decision: keep it, sell it or even turn it off? They decided on the old and launched new models for it. Which you also bring to Europe. The question is no longer if, but how to do it, says the insider.

So: Denza is placed above BYD and N7 is, so to speak, a variant of BYD Seal, which is based on charging. And now it gets tricky: In fact, the N7 offers better quality in detail, a more reserved appearance, a more elegant design, cleaner infotainment and greets you with soft tones to match – not kitschy, but subtle and subtle. In terms of layout, it is actually closer to the Europeans and Benzen than the BYD Seal.

The height of 1.6 meters creates space in the back and for the tailgate

At 4.86 meters long, it slots between the EQC and EQE, offers a practical rear door and 480 to 1,200 liters of trunk volume. There is also frunk. The back of the rear seat can only be folded down 60:40 and the rear seat system cannot be moved in length, but here beauty takes precedence over practicality. In any case, thanks to the wheelbase of 2,940 mm, you can find enough space in all seats even as a 1.9 meter chicken and since the N7 is 1,602 mm long, it is more of a CUV than a sedan, which also helps with the bedroom. behind. In addition to the welcoming sound, the neutral smell is also pleasant. And: In addition to luxurious (fake) leather surfaces, the Chinese also appreciate wood and fabric, so that in our opinion Denza even creates something like “gassy” cosiness.

Blade battery with good range

That’s all gone when you step on the accelerator pedal in sport mode: 160 kW hits the front wheels and 230 kW to the rear – 390 kW equals 530 hp. Which is enough to necessarily “less than four seconds”, exactly 3.9 – to 100 km / h, before the speed is limited to 180 km / h. The 91.3 kWh blade battery from BYD is said to offer a range of up to 570 km based on the CLTC cycle, which will equate to a consumption of around 16 kWh/100 km. Of course we take 400 km plus minus x, but for the first few laps the N7 was economical. So we estimate 18 to 22 kWh/100 km depending on the weather and driving profile, as long as you don’t beat it or drive it too economically.

The steering is oriented towards Tesla but clear with fast calculation times and many settings options, but at least in logical sub-menus. Of course there are several background themes for the central screen and the passenger has his own screen…

When it comes to charging, AC should increase from 7 to 11 and 22 kW, DC should work with one charging port and up to 150 kW and with two ports up to 230 kW. We would prefer a 200 kW port here…

As well as the driving behavior could be a little crisper: the suspension and damping work well and inconspicuously, but not in an exciting way either. The same applies to driving, which can be more direct and more intense. But China-Benz sticks to the original here too and favors comfort over speed. Assuming that the BYD Seal AWD starts at a total of 50,990 euros, we would expect the N7 to be more like 53,990 or 54,990 euros – cheaper than the Benz, but more expensive than the BYD… it works as a replacement for both. And here we follow an insider: It’s not a question of whether the Denza N7 works in Germany, but how it does.