A bit ‘B-10’ with the Denza B5 and B8 track day
The organizers at Denza Philippines provided a masterclass in “the tease”—leaving the motoring press craving for more ahead of the public launch of the Denza B5 and B8. The location was a ground zero bullseye: The Aseana Open Concert Grounds in Parañaque, a reclaimed coastline at the intersection of upscale urban living and rugged potential—the exact habitat of the “deep-pocketed” adventurer.
Denza PH and the Ramirez & Cutter team transformed the grounds into a playground of dirt, mud, and water. Journalists spent an hour with each, guided through eight challenges designed to push the DMO (Dual Mode Off-road) platform to its limits. This body-on-frame longitudinal PHEV system is engineered to break the dichotomy between urban comfort and rugged capability.
Tilting, turning, climbing, speeding
The first encounter, the side slope, tilted the SUVs to 27 degrees, demonstrating the structural rigidity of CTC (cell to chassis) technology. Integrating the LFP Blade Battery into the frame lowers the center of gravity and enhances torsional stiffness, keeping the vehicle composed against gravity.
On the muddy and gravel road, the Intelligent Electric All-Wheel Drive provided millisecond-level torque distribution, ensuring we never lost footing in deep sludge. The camel humps showcased the DiSus-P (Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control System) on the B8, which independently adjusts damping and height to keep the cabin level over high-amplitude obstacles.
The continuous potholes highlighted NVH performance; despite wheel-deep dips, the SUVs remained exceptionally quiet. The cross axle test engaged the three differential locks (front, rear, and central virtual electric lock) to divert power to wheels with traction.
The mild off-road climb utilized “creep” mode, where the SUVs ascended and descended steep inclines at a steady 2 kph without driver pedal inputs, thanks to a combined 760 Nm of torque. Then came the water wading: plowing through 300mm of mud was a mere “slosh in the park” for these rigs, which are rated for 700mm to 800mm. The B8, using DiSus-P, can raise its body by an additional 140mm to clear even deeper obstacles.
Finally, we hit the acceleration stretch. These aren’t just crawlers; they are sprinters, clocking 0-100 kph in as fast as 4.8 seconds (on race mode) via the 450 kW (over 600 hp) system.
Agile as a leopard
Before the main challenges, the B5 and B8 performed the “Leopard turn.” Named after the cat’s ability to make agile, sharp direction changes, this feature utilizes the rear electric motor to “tether” the inside rear wheel. The turning radius is slashed to just 3.4 meters, allowing these 5-meter-long SUVs to pivot like much smaller vehicles—perfect for tight trails or the city’s narrowest streets.
Efficiency and intelligence
Denza PH training manager Patrick Banas noted that despite their weight, the B5 manages a low fuel consumption of 9.49 liters per 100 km due to a 40 percent thermal capacity. Product planning manager Kristoff Arcega explained that this efficiency allows both models to take 92 octane gasoline while avoiding engine “knocking.”
The flagship B8 features a 2.0-liter engine (versus the B5’s 1.5-liter) with a rating of 9.89 liters per 100 km and a comprehensive range of up to 1,040 km. Arcega emphasizes that the B8 is about “intelligent luxury,” featuring a W-HUD (Wide Head-Up Display) with 10,000 nits of brightness and an 18-speaker Devialet sound system, turning the cabin into a curated sanctuary.
For the ‘big boys’
The B5 is the “fun,” punchy sibling, while the 7-seater B8 is the sophisticated patriarch. Both are for executives who remember their mud-caked youth but have “boardroom backs” to worry about; the B8 even offers “nap” and “bed” modes for outdoor stays.
The features are exhaustive, including an on-board 4.5-liter refrigerator that chills to -6°C or warms to 50°C. With battery capacities supporting 100km to 115km of pure EV range and a 15 to 17.3-inch 2.5K central screen, one day is simply not enough to explore these beasts. They are high-tech, high-landing vehicles where you can wear a business suit while embarking on an epic adventure.
