Today in Cars: Denza turns up the heat, BMW sharpens the M2, and racing fans bring the drama

Some Mondays are beige. This one isn’t. We’ve got a Chinese luxury upstart taking aim at Zuffenhausen and Solihull, a stretched family SUV for people who pack like sherpas, a diesel-hybrid ute promising big grunt, a bellowing 10.4-liter Camaro that reads like a Craigslist dare, and a pair of spicy podiums on two continents. Grab a coffee. Let’s lap through it.

Denza’s big flex: Nürburgring laps, luxury ambitions, and a quick drive

Denza, BYD’s fast-rising premium arm, is moving like a brand with a point to prove.

Denza Z spotted at the Nürburgring (yes, chasing 911 vibes)

Spy shooters caught the low-slung Denza Z circling the Nürburgring, and the message is clear: they want credibility, not just kilowatts. Even through camouflage, you can read the silhouette—short overhangs, purposeful stance, and the sort of aero detailing that says “We’ve been studying lap times.” A 911 rival? That’s the headline, and it’s a bold one. The ’Ring is where you go to make that boldness believable.

“Bespoke” dealers and an owner benefits program

Alongside the product blitz, Denza is building out a dedicated retail and ownership ecosystem. Expect something more curated than a standard BYD store—think lounge-like showrooms, smoother handovers, and added-value perks (charging, concierge, the works). It’s the right play if you want to sit at the same table as the Germans.

First quick taste of the 2026 Denza B8

I had a brief loop in the B8 and the headline was refinement. The cabin hush is impressive at suburban speeds, and the ride felt tidier than I expected on broken edges—more European in its body control than many recent Chinese SUVs. Steering was light at parking speeds and gains reassuring weight as you pick up pace. I’d still like a hair more brake pedal bite at the top, but the fundamentals are right. If Denza nails assistance tuning and infotainment response, it’ll worry the usual suspects.

Next targets: Taycan and Range Rover territory

Denza’s roadmap isn’t coy—more upmarket metal is coming, with future products scoped to bump elbows with Porsche’s Taycan and the full-fat Range Rover. It’s a gutsy charge into hallowed ground. But if the Z is as focused as its Nürburgring body language suggests, we’re in for a very interesting couple of years.

• What stood out: Confidence. Product, retail, and positioning are moving in lockstep.
• What I’m watching: Software polish and real-world charging/energy efficiency.
• Quirk to note: Chinese premium brands love a dramatic ambient light show—let’s keep it tasteful, folks.

Family haulers: GWM adds space, Hyundai adds swagger

2026 GWM Haval H6L: the long-wheelbase you asked for

The H6 gets the “L” treatment—more wheelbase, more rear legroom, and likely an easier third-row (or simply stretch-out second-row) experience. For school runs with three child seats or grandparents in tow, the extra inches matter more than any brochure adjective. If pricing stays keen, this could be the value sweet spot for big families.

Hyundai’s most affordable SUV gets a dramatic new face

Hyundai’s baby crossover (the brand’s cheapest SUV in markets like Australia) has been given a much bolder look. Think a more assertive front end, updated lighting signatures, and tidier surfacing around the tail. When I tried the current one over city speed humps, its ride was already neatly tuned; if the facelift brings a fresher cabin and faster infotainment response, it’ll keep its “best first car” title for urbanites on a budget.

Ute wars: Chery’s diesel-hybrid swings at BYD’s Shark 6

Chery’s cooking up a diesel-electric hybrid ute that, on paper, aims to outmuscle BYD’s Shark 6. Diesel-electric hybrids are torque monsters—ideal for towing and chugging up rutted trails at low revs. If Chery pairs meaningful EV-only creep in 4L with a robust battery buffer for repeated hill climbs, it could be a sleeper hit with tradies who like tech that pulls its weight, literally.

Performance palate cleanser: BMW’s M2 CS and a Camaro with a comically huge heart

BMW M2 CS: the sweet spot gets sweeter

Autocar’s dive into the new M2 CS confirms what many of us suspected: the smallest M-car gets a harder edge. Traditionally, CS means a touch more power, a lot more focus—stiffer bushings, sharper damping, stickier rubber, and less fluff. In the last-gen CS, the way the front end keyed into apexes felt properly special; if this one delivers similar steering clarity without wrecking the ride, it might be the best M car on sale. Bring your favorite back road and a quiet morning.

Only 69 of these 10.4-liter V8 Camaros exist

Read that displacement again. 10 point 4 liters. Only sixty-nine built. This is American excess served neat—big cubes, bigger noise, and rear tires that live fast and die young. It’s the kind of car that idles like a thunderstorm and makes every Cars & Coffee feel like a drag strip. Sensible? No. Desirable? Completely.

• Best use case: Sunday mornings, empty on-ramps, and earplugs.
• Potential downside: Your neighbors will learn your schedule.

Motorsport Monday: boos in Mexico, a barnburner brewing in Phoenix

F1 Mexico GP: Why Lando Norris caught boos on the podium

Mexican crowds are passionate to the point of seismic. This time, that passion spilled into boos aimed at Lando Norris on the podium. Context matters—local allegiances run deep, and mid-race flashpoints can turn the atmosphere. Credit to Norris for taking the moment on the chin; the wider paddock knows the soundtrack in Mexico City can be as loud as the mariachi.

NASCAR: JGR vs. Hendrick for the title; Penske’s four-peat bid ends

Out in the desert, it’ll be a heavyweight showdown in Phoenix as Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports square off for the Cup. Team Penske’s shot at a four-peat is over, which adds a fresh edge to the finale. If you like elbows-out ovals with everything on the line, clear your Sunday.

Quick hits and takeaways

• China’s premium push is real: Denza’s coordinated product and retail assault feels serious.
• Mainstream buyers win on space and style: H6L adds room; Hyundai turns up the visual volume.
• Ute tech is evolving fast: Diesel-hybrids could reset the towing and efficiency conversation.
• Enthusiast candy abounds: M2 CS for the purists, 10.4L Camaros for the hooligans.
• Motorsport remains part sport, part theatre: both F1 and NASCAR delivered a storyline-rich weekend.

FAQ

What is the Denza Z and why is it testing at the Nürburgring?

It’s a low-slung performance model from BYD’s luxury brand Denza, positioned to challenge cars like the Porsche 911. Nürburgring testing suggests serious chassis development and performance credibility are priorities.

When will the GWM Haval H6L be available?

The long-wheelbase H6L is slated for 2026. Expect more rear space and family-focused packaging over the standard H6.

Will Chery’s diesel-hybrid ute be more powerful than the BYD Shark 6?

That’s the claim. Exact outputs aren’t confirmed, but diesel-electric setups typically deliver stout torque, which is key for towing and off-road use.

What sets the BMW M2 CS apart from the regular M2?

CS variants traditionally add focus: chassis sharpening, weight trimming where feasible, grippier tires, and a more track-capable setup—often with a subtle power bump.

How many 10.4-liter V8 Camaros are there?

Just 69 examples, making the run both exclusive and gloriously over the top.

That’s the grid for today. Whether you’re into quiet refinement, loud engines, or louder grandstands, the week’s already delivering.