As BYD’s high-end new energy brand, Tengshi has faced a bumpy path. In its early days, it struggled under the Mercedes era. The brand revived only after BYD launched the Tengshi D9. Now, Tengshi is quickly building its new model lineup. As a luxury new energy brand, it needs a full-size flagship SUV. Thus, Tengshi’s first full-size luxury new energy SUV, the Tengshi N9, has finally arrived.
The long-awaited Tengshi N9 debuted at the Guangzhou Auto Show. Let’s learn more about this car!
The Tengshi N9 features a modern family design. Its front adopts a closed design, typical for new energy vehicles. The headlights are slim and elongated. Above the traditional air intake, it has an independent light strip that runs parallel to the main headlights. This creates a striking visual effect when lit. The car uses an external active grille, surrounded by rugged decorative panels. The overall presence is impressive.
The Tengshi N9 features a turret-style lidar at the front. It also has multiple cameras around the body. The vehicle includes advanced smart sensing hardware. This means it will support high-level intelligent driving assistance. Given the recent release of the Fangcheng Leopard 8, the N9 is expected to use Huawei’s QianKun ADS 3.0 intelligent driving system.
The Tengshi N9 measures 5258 mm in length, 2030 mm in width, and 1830 mm in height. Its wheelbase is 3125 mm. This full-size SUV is larger than the Wanjie M9 and Li Xiang L9.
The side design of the Tengshi N9 is simple and efficient. A straight character line runs from front to back. The slightly sloping roofline adds a sense of stability. The interior offers ample headroom. The front and rear doors feature hidden door handles. Optional electronic side mirrors reflect current design trends.
The rear of the Tengshi N9 features a sturdy design. The roof ends with a large spoiler. The spoiler hides a slim high-mounted brake light. The tail light group sits in the center and has a symmetrical layout. The centered Tengshi brand logo enhances visibility.
The interior of the Tengshi N9 features a four-spoke multifunction steering wheel. It has a large floating central display and an embedded LCD instrument panel. There should be a screen directly in front of the passenger seat. The bottom of the central display includes a wireless charging pad for phones, supporting two devices at once. Uniquely, this car has a physical crystal gear lever. It also retains a row of physical buttons behind the gear lever, balancing technology and practicality.
In the area of power, the Tengshi N9 will use BYD’s Easy Three technology. It will support functions like turning in place, crab walking, and Easy Three parking, similar to the Tengshi Z9 GT. The car may also offer integrated drone features, similar to the Yangwang U8, enhancing the flagship tech experience for users.
The car offers two power versions: plug-in hybrid and pure electric. It features three drive motors across the lineup. The plug-in hybrid version pairs with a 2.0T engine made by BYD. This engine delivers a maximum output of 152 kW. The plug-in hybrid also includes a 46.996 kWh battery pack, providing a pure electric range of 165 kilometers. Notably, the official figures from Tengshi reveal that the N9 plug-in hybrid has a combined fuel consumption of 7.29 liters per 100 kilometers. Given its weight of over three tons, it will be interesting to see if it can achieve or even fall below this official figure during real-world testing. In summary, based on the limited information available, the Tengshi N9 stands out as a compelling full-size flagship SUV. It lives up to its flagship status. After its launch, the N9 will compete with the Wenjie M9 and the Li Auto L9. The N9 may have advantages in power, handling, and space, but the other two contenders are also strong. Therefore, pricing will be a crucial factor.
Car Uncle sees a bleak future for the Tengshi N9. Tengshi’s main products are priced above 300,000 yuan (41330$). However, apart from the Tengshi D9, other products lack competitiveness. Even the Tengshi D9, once a pillar, faces risks. In October, its monthly sales dropped to 7,381 units. This figure fell short of the Lantu Dreamer, losing the title of new energy MVP sales champion. Car Uncle believes that Tengshi D9’s success was somewhat accidental. In previous years, the MPV market above 300,000 yuan (41330$) had only a few options. Now, with increased competition from various brands, Tengshi D9’s competitiveness continues to decline. This reflects Tengshi’s limited appeal and influence. Given this context, the future of the Tengshi N9 is uncertain. It may get lost in the wave of new cars.