China’s premium EV market is entering a busy August as BYD’s Denza brand opens pre-sales on the Z9S sedan, Geely’s smart division refreshes the #1 crossover with 800-volt hardware, and Mercedes-Benz previews an all-electric GLA on a new modular platform. Together they underline how range records, megawatt-class charging, and voltage upgrades are moving from flagship demos into volume nameplates.
Denza Z9S targets range and recharge records
Denza, the upscale marque under BYD, began accepting Z9S pre-orders on August 3 with three trim levels priced from roughly 319,800 to 389,800 yuan (about $47,000–$57,000), according to trade coverage and the brand’s own announcements. The sedan sits in the mid-to-large class and is pitched as a technology flagship rather than a niche halo car.
All versions share a 102.3 kWh second-generation Blade battery pack using lithium iron phosphate chemistry. Denza quotes CLTC driving range up to 1,100 km on the most efficient variant, with shorter-range configurations still rated at 780 km and 920 km. Automotive outlets including InsideEVs and CarNewsChina note that CLTC tends to be optimistic versus real-world mixed driving, but the figures still set a new bar within China’s domestic test cycle when compared like-for-like.
Charging is the other headline. Denza advertises a jump from 10% to 70% state of charge in about five minutes, and 10% to 97% in roughly nine minutes, enabled by what the company describes as flash charging on its latest pack. CleanTechnica and other analysts frame that as closing the time gap with a gasoline fill-up for drivers who can access compatible DC hardware — though network availability outside China remains an open question for shoppers browsing global directories such as GetEVCar’s model index.
Performance splits by drivetrain: rear-wheel-drive models emphasize efficiency, while an all-wheel-drive grade targets a 0–100 km/h sprint in about 2.68 seconds. Roof-mounted lidar and advanced driver-assistance hardware are part of the package on higher trims, reflecting how Chinese premium EVs now bundle autonomy sensors at mainstream price points.
smart #1 and Mercedes GLA join the 800V push
On August 6, smart is scheduled to launch an updated #1 crossover in China with an 800-volt electrical architecture, “6C” DC charging, and a rear-drive setup rated around 333 hp, Paul Tan and Chinese automotive media reported. The company claims a 10–80% charge in as little as 12 minutes on suitable chargers, while CLTC range is quoted near 535 km from a slightly smaller 61.5 kWh pack — likely LFP — that trades a few kilowatt-hours for cost and durability.
Separately, Mercedes-Benz unveiled an all-electric GLA compact SUV built on its new Mercedes Modular Architecture (MMA) with 800-volt systems aimed at faster DC sessions and lower losses, EVTech.News reported. Global showroom arrival is not expected until late 2027, so the vehicle is a design and platform statement for now rather than a near-term competitor to cars already listed on GetEVCar’s U.S. hub.
What it means for shoppers
The Z9S story is China-centric today, but it illustrates where BYD is pushing Blade battery efficiency and charging curves — technology that already underpins many of the group’s mass-market models. For readers comparing specs across markets, watch whether Denza exports any Z9S variant and how CLTC range translates once WLTP or EPA figures exist.
Meanwhile, the smart and Mercedes launches show 800-volt hardware spreading from six-figure flagships into compact crossovers, the segment where many first-time EV buyers shop. We will keep tracking availability and pricing as these programs move from pre-sale slides to deliverable cars.
Sources: CarNewsChina and InsideEVs coverage of Denza Z9S pre-sales (August 2026); CleanTechnica analysis of Z9S range and pricing; Paul Tan on smart #1 China launch specifications; EVTech.News on Mercedes-Benz all-electric GLA MMA unveiling.
