BYD-owned luxury brand Denza is now taking orders for its fourth model, a luxury MPV to rival the Lexus LM and Mercedes-Benz V-Class.

The D9 joins the Z9 GT shooting brake, Bao 5 SUV and Z supercar in an expanding line-up of models designed to compete with the European premium stalwarts.

Priced from £75,000, it undercuts the LM by almost £23,000 and is roughly in line with what the new Mercedes VLE is expected to cost when it lands next year.

The D9 is a plug-in hybrid, featuring an electric motor on each axle – making 228bhp at the front and 60bhp at the rear – and a 119bhp 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Denza hasn't quoted a combined power output but said the big seven-seater will crack 0-62mph in 8.6sec. 

Meanwhile, a 58.5kWh battery under the floor allows for an electric-only range of up to 130 miles and is compatible with BYD's new ultra-rapid Flash chargers, which can fill it from 10-70% in just five minutes.

Like the Z9 and Bao 5, the D9 is equipped with BYD's DiSus active suspension system, which adjusts compression and rebound rates on the move to "deliver both assured body control through the corners with a supple ride on rougher road surfaces".

As standard, the D9 comes equipped with electric sliding doors, leather seats, a panoramic roof, cooled and heated storage compartments and LCD control panels for each second-row passenger. 

Step up to £85,000 Ultimate trim and it gains 'zero-gravity' seats in the middle row, with 14-way adjustment, 16-point massaging and the ability to recline almost horizontal - plus 12.8in screens within the front headrests.

Deliveries will begin in the coming months.