From Aston Martin to Denza: could James Bond’s next car be Chinese?
28/03/2026
For decades, one car brand defined the automotive identity of James Bond.
From the Aston Martin DB5 to the modern Aston Martin DBS, the British spy has always been associated with classic European performance machinery. But the next chapter of that story might look very different. Because if Chinese automaker BYD has its way, the next sports car linked to the man who played Bond could come from China, not Britain. And that car is called the Denza Z.
A symbolic shift in the sports-car world
BYD’s luxury division Denza has begun teasing its upcoming electric sports car ahead of its debut at the legendary Goodwood Festival of Speed. The teaser campaign features Daniel Craig, the actor who portrayed James Bond between Casino Royale and No Time to Die.
Technically, Craig is not representing Bond in the campaign. There is no official licensing involved and the marketing remains deliberately subtle. Yet the symbolism is impossible to ignore.
For more than 60 years, Bond’s cars represented European performance engineering. The association between Bond and Aston Martin became one of the most recognisable partnerships in automotive history. Seeing the actor now standing next to a Chinese electric sports car is therefore more than a marketing stunt.
Denza Z: BYD’s shot at the Porsche 911
The Denza Z is expected to compete directly with sports cars such as the Porsche 911 and the Aston Martin Vantage. Final specifications haven’t been confirmed yet, but the concept version already hints at serious performance. According to early information from BYD:
The production model could become the most powerful vehicle BYD has ever built
Advanced magnetorheological adaptive suspension is expected
The car will likely feature steer-by-wire steering technology
More importantly, Denza is not positioning the Z as a niche halo project. It’s part of a broader strategy to move aggressively into the global luxury EV segment, particularly in Europe.
The technology behind Denza’s electric offensive
The sports car will likely share technology with the Denza Z9 GT, another upcoming performance model from the brand. That car alone already hints at the scale of BYD’s ambitions.
The Z9 GT uses three electric motors producing nearly 960 PS, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds. Power comes from BYD’s latest Blade Battery 2.0, with a capacity of 122 kWh and an estimated WLTP range of up to 800 km.
Perhaps even more disruptive is BYD’s new Flash Charging technology. Combined with ultra-high-power charging stations delivering up to 1,500 kW, the system promises:
10% to 70% charge in around 5 minutes
10% to 97% in about 9 minutes
If these figures translate to real-world use, it would fundamentally change the way drivers perceive EV charging.
AutoNext Take
If a James Bond actor promoting a Chinese electric sports car feels strange, that’s probably because it represents a much bigger shift. For decades, Europe defined the world’s performance car culture.
But today, the most aggressive innovation in the industry is increasingly happening in China, especially in electric drivetrains, batteries and charging infrastructure. Whether enthusiasts like it or not, the next generation of high-performance cars may very well come from places that traditional petrolheads never expected.
