Denza over-the-air updates bring improvements to towing, off-road ability

The Denza B5 and B8 have received their first major over-the-air (OTA) software updates in Australia, with upgrades made to improve the large off-road SUVs’ towing and off-road capabilities.

The OTA version 1.1.0 update is now being rolled out to owners of the plug-in hybrid B5 and B8.

The B5’s cruise control can now be activated while towing, while there’s a dedicated towing mode switch to allow drivers to easily enter or exit this mode.

You can also input the weight of your trailer, so that the vehicle can adapt accordingly.

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The B8 also gains the ability to activate cruise control while being driven in its towing mode and now offers dynamic range estimation.

Denza tackled Beer O’Clock Hill in Queensland earlier this year in the B5 and B8, with both receiving “software adjustment for traction, torque and throttle calibrations” and the company saying at the time it was collecting learnings to share with its R&D teams.

Now, Denza claims this new OTA update will improve the off-road capability of the B5 and B8, with greater stability and “enhanced flexibility in sandy conditions”.

BYD’s luxury brand says the SUVs have received revised traction control management algorithms “that better coordinate wheel speed and motor torque for improved off-road performance and control”.

Other changes for the B5 and B8 in this OTA update include a revised head-up display format that now shows whether your indicators are on, plus a driver password lock.

The B8, which features a third row of seating, now has improved anti-jam resistance for the folding second- and third-row seats to prevent them from folding if resistance is detected.

“We are listening to customer feedback, not only through our local engineering team but also through real-world experiences shared by owners driving on Australian roads and tracks,” said Denza Australia chief operating officer Mark Harland in a press release.

“Whether it’s improved towing capability, greater off-road confidence or enhanced convenience and safety features, these updates are designed to deliver meaningful improvements that customers will notice in everyday driving.”

The brand commenced deliveries of the B5 and B8 earlier this year, with the D9 electric people mover following shortly thereafter.

The Denza range will expand in the third quarter (July to September) of this year with the Z9 GT electric shooting brake, which will be the first vehicle in Australia from either the BYD or Denza brands with BYD’s next-generation Blade Battery 2.0 technology and ultra-fast ‘flash’ charging capability.

To the end of April, Denza has delivered 729 examples of the B5 and 394 B8s, plus a handful – eight, to be precise – of D9 people movers.

The B5 and B8 are thus far outselling the (admittedly more expensive) Lexus GX this year, which is currently sitting at 292 units.

The two Denzas have little direct competition, being large, body-on-frame, plug-in hybrid SUVs, apart from the GWM Tank 500. Total sales for this rival Chinese SUV are sitting at 411 year-to-date, but that’s inclusive of both hybrid and PHEV variants.

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