BYD and Chopard Reveal Exclusive EV Collaboration Redefining Luxury Mobility

Part electric hypercar, part Swiss jewellery box and part haute couture statement, the one-off DENZA Chopard Z9GT arrives at the recently concluded Cannes proving that in 2026, true luxury is no longer measured by horsepower alone but by the ability to turn technology, craftsmanship and theatre into a single breathtaking object. There are luxury cars. There are luxury watches. And then there are occasions when two worlds collide so spectacularly that the result resembles something a billionaire might commission after accidentally walking into both a Formula E paddock and a Geneva jewellery salon on the same afternoon.

This is precisely what has happened at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. While actors posed for cameras, filmmakers chased golden trophies and superyachts clogged the French Riviera, DENZA and Chopard quietly unveiled something arguably more fascinating: a one-off DENZA Chopard Z9GT created for the 32nd amfAR Gala Cannes. Not merely a car. Not merely a collector’s item. But a rolling statement that modern luxury has entered a completely different dimension.

When Electric Engineering Meets Swiss Jewellery Craftsmanship

Most automotive collaborations involve little more than a special paint finish, a commemorative plaque and a marketing department working overtime. The DENZA Chopard Z9GT is different. Rooted in DENZA’s philosophy of “Technology Drives Elegance”, the project uses the flagship Z9GT as a canvas upon which Chopard has applied its centuries-old savoir-faire. DENZA contributes cutting-edge electric performance and technological innovation, while Chopard layers on exclusivity, heritage and craftsmanship. The result feels less like a car and more like a piece of haute joaillerie capable of travelling at extraordinary speed. It is a fascinating demonstration of what happens when automotive ambition and Swiss luxury refuse to stay in their traditional lanes.

A Cabin Designed Like A Jewellery Box On Wheels

Step inside and it becomes immediately clear that this is not a conventional luxury vehicle. Chopard has subtly transformed the cabin into something resembling a private jewellery salon. Interior trims are adorned with amethyst stones, an unusual and deeply luxurious touch inspired directly by the Maison’s high-jewellery universe. These violet gemstones create a visual and tactile experience rarely seen in automotive design. Elsewhere, bespoke upholstery carries embroidered Chopard ‘C’ motifs on the headrests, while illuminated light carpets continue the branding theme beneath occupants’ feet. Even the wireless smartphone charging pad discreetly bears the Chopard logo, while the expansive 17.3-inch infotainment display features a bespoke Chopard-inspired interface. It is luxury expressed through detail rather than excess, which somehow makes it even more impressive.

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The Timepieces That Complete The Lifestyle Vision

Because Chopard understands that true luxury extends beyond a single object, the collaboration includes two extraordinary timepieces created specifically for this project. The first is a Happy Sport 36 mm in 18-carat Ethical rose gold, snow-set with diamonds and personalised with a DENZA charm. Its counterpart is an Alpine Eagle 41 mm in 18-carat Ethical rose gold featuring DENZA personalisation on the caseback. Together, they create a His-and-Hers pairing that mirrors the harmony and balance of the Z9GT itself. The experience is further enhanced by a bespoke luggage collection handcrafted by Shiro exclusively for this unique commission. The message is clear: this is not merely transportation. It is a complete luxury ecosystem.

More Than 1,150 Horsepower Changes Everything

Of course, none of the jewellery, gemstones or handcrafted luggage would matter if the car itself lacked substance. Thankfully, the Z9GT possesses enough firepower to silence even the harshest critics. Beneath its elegant exterior lies a triple-motor electric powertrain producing more than 1,150 horsepower. That is enough to propel the grand tourer from 0 to 100 km/h in under three seconds, placing it firmly in hypercar territory. Yet perhaps even more astonishing is its support for FLASH Charging technology, which can replenish the battery in as little as nine minutes. Inside, occupants enjoy high-grade leathers, sophisticated wood finishes and a 20-speaker theatre-grade sound system developed by French audio specialist Devialet. The Z9GT proves that electrification no longer requires compromise. It simply raises the stakes.

A Cannes Unveiling Worthy Of High Fashion

Even the reveal itself carried a sense of theatre. Rather than relying on a conventional cover, the Z9GT emerged beneath an oversized scarf-inspired drape that flowed across its body like fabric on a Paris runway. Elegant, dramatic and effortlessly photogenic, it perfectly encapsulated the spirit of the collaboration. Fluidity met performance. Fashion met engineering. Emotion met technology. In many ways, the reveal became a symbol of the project itself. This was never about creating another luxury car. It was about exploring what happens when design, craftsmanship, innovation and storytelling converge in a single object.

The DENZA Chopard Z9GT ultimately succeeds because it understands something many luxury products forget. True exclusivity is not about adding more. It is about creating something that nobody else could have imagined. With its gemstone-adorned cabin, bespoke Chopard timepieces, handcrafted luggage, 1,150-horsepower electric powertrain and couture-inspired presentation, this one-off creation embodies the future of luxury mobility. At Cannes 2026, amidst all the glamour and spectacle, the DENZA Chopard Z9GT managed to steal the spotlight without saying a word. And that is perhaps the greatest luxury of all.