A new four-door luxury sedan from BYD’s Denza division is set to enter the market as a direct competitor to established players like BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The vehicle will launch in China under the Fangchengbao nameplate but is expected to adopt the Denza badge for international markets, including Australia and the UK. The Formula S liftback sedan and the Formula S GT fastback wagon are specifically designed to take on the BMW i5 and Mercedes EQE, respectively.
Range and Performance Specs
The base variant of the Formula S sedan uses a 76.7-kilowatt-hour battery pack. It utilizes a rear-mounted single motor that produces 245kW and claims a driving range of 720km under the Chinese CLTC cycle. However, Western consumers should expect a more realistic figure, closer to 590km when tested against the WLTP standard. For comparison, the entry-level BMW i5 eDrive 40 comes with an 84kWh battery, a 250kW motor, and a 582km WLTP range. A long-range version of the Denza sedan upgrades to a 92.1kWh battery. This configuration, paired with a 300kW motor, extends the CLTC range to between 830km and 900km, which translates to roughly 680 to 740km on the WLTP scale. A 490kW dual-motor powertrain will also be available for buyers seeking higher performance levels.
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The Formula S GT fastback wagon is currently offered only with the long-range battery. Buyers can choose between a 300kW rear-wheel drive setup, which claims an 800km to 850km CLTC range, or a 490kW all-wheel drive variant. The AWD version is rated at 730km CLTC. In contrast, the BMW i5 M60 xDrive Touring, the wagon equivalent, relies on an 84kWh battery and claims a significantly lower 506km WLTP range despite its powerful 442kW dual-motor drivetrain.
Battery Tech and Dimensions
With a length of 5060mm, the Formula S sedan matches the BMW i5 in overall size, though it sits on a shorter 2960mm wheelbase. This is 35mm less than the standard 5 Series platform it shares the floorplan with. The Formula S GT is slightly shorter overall at 5025mm. Beyond the chassis, the vehicle is designed for rapid charging capabilities. As a latest-generation BYD product, the Formula S is compatible with the company’s 1500kW ultra-rapid Flash Charging system. This technology allows for a 10-to-70 percent top-up in five minutes and a near-full 10-to-97 percent fill in nine minutes. A lidar sensor on the roof hints at compatibility with BYD’s “God’s Eye” DiPilot 5.0 assisted driving system, which supports start-to-finish automated driving on navigation and a wide range of hazard-avoidance interventions.
The sheer magnitude of the charging speed provided by the Flash Charging system suggests a significant change in how drivers might approach long-distance travel in these vehicles. The ability to recover nearly 90 percent of the battery in less than ten minutes offers a level of convenience that current European luxury EVs are struggling to match with their standard charging infrastructure. The inclusion of a lidar sensor further indicates that safety features will be a primary selling point, moving away from basic driver assists toward full autonomy capabilities.
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Export Plans and Brand Strategy
BYD has indicated plans to export these models, marketing them as Denza vehicles in key markets. The relocation of the Denza brand away from body-on-frame off-roaders toward traditional luxury sedans and wagons suggests a strategic shift in the company’s global lineup. Although an Australian release is not yet confirmed, the similarity between Denza’s current lineups in the UK and Australia makes an introduction likely if the UK adopts the车型. The Formula S is expected to follow the styling cues of the Denza Z sports car.
While the technical data positions the Formula S as a strong contender on paper, the psychological barrier of entering the premium European market remains a significant hurdle for BYD. Established luxury buyers often prioritize heritage and brand prestige over raw specifications, a distinction that BYD will need to bridge through marketing and service quality to truly challenge the dominance of German manufacturers. The challenge for Denza will be whether modern consumers are willing to trade established symbols of status for superior engineering and value.
