A Car Worth More Than a Supercar: The One-Off Denza Z9 GT Chopard Edition Sells for €700,000 at Cannes

When people think of cars that fetch hundreds of thousands at auction, names like Ferrari, Aston Martin, or vintage Rolls-Royce usually come to mind. But in May 2026, on the glamorous French Riviera during the Cannes Film Festival, it was a Chinese electric grand tourer that stole the spotlight — and the checkbooks — of the world's wealthiest collectors.

At the 32nd amfAR Gala in Antibes, France, a one-of-a-kind Denza Z9 GT Chopard Edition was auctioned for €700,000 (approximately ¥5.55 million / $815,000), with all proceeds going to AIDS research. The winning bid stunned many in the room. After all, the regular Denza Z9 GT starts at around ¥269,800 in China and €117,500 in Europe. But this was no ordinary Z9 GT — it was a rolling piece of jewelry, co-created by BYD's premium brand Denza and legendary Swiss jeweler and watchmaker Chopard.

The collaboration between Denza and Chopard is unusual in the automotive world. Rather than simply sticking a luxury logo on a dashboard, both houses worked together to reinterpret what a car could feel like from the inside out. Caroline Scheufele, Chopard's Artistic Director and Co-President, described the vehicle as "a moving piece of jewelry," while BYD Executive Vice President Stella Li called it "technology made invisible by elegance."

Unveiled under soft lighting in a scene more reminiscent of a Paris fashion show than a typical car launch, the bespoke Z9 GT immediately drew attention from celebrities, collectors, and philanthropists alike. It wasn't just the price tag — it was the story: a Chinese high-tech EV brand meeting 160 years of Swiss fine jewelry tradition, all in the name of charity.

From the outside, the Chopard Edition keeps the sleek, sporty silhouette of the standard Z9 GT shooting brake — low roofline, wide stance, sharp LED lighting — but adds delicate gold accent lines along the side skirts, specially finished wheels, and gold-painted brake calipers, a quiet nod to Chopard's signature warm tones.

Step inside, however, and the transformation is immediate. The cabin is no longer just a driver's workspace; it becomes a showcase of craftsmanship. Amethyst (purple gemstone) inlays are placed on key interior control areas — the air vent surrounds, seat adjustment switches, and near the large 17.3-inch central touchscreen — bringing the texture and color of high jewelry into daily driving.

The front seat headrests feature hand-embroidered "C" logos, Chopard's iconic monogram, which is also projected onto the ground via the welcome light carpet when doors open. The wireless charging pad bears the Chopard name, and the infotainment system boots up with a custom Chopard-themed interface — complete with jewel-inspired graphics and color palettes.

Premium leather, open-pore wood trim, and a 20-speaker Devialet surround sound system round out the cabin, making it feel more like a private lounge than a conventional car interior.

To complement the one-off vehicle, Chopard created an exclusive "His & Hers" watch set: a Happy Sport 36 mm in ethical 18K rose gold with diamond detailing, and an Alpine Eagle 41 mm also in rose gold, with the Denza logo engraved on the case back. Renowned leather artisan Shiro also handcrafted a bespoke luggage set to match the car's interior tones — meaning the entire package extended well beyond four wheels.

All of these items were included in the auction lot, adding to its desirability among collectors who value completeness and provenance.

Despite the lavish customization, the mechanical heart of the car remains unchanged — and that's a good thing. The Denza Z9 GT is powered by a tri-motor all-electric drivetrain producing more than 1,150 horsepower. It can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds, placing it firmly in supercar territory. The car also uses BYD's latest Blade Battery 2.0 and supports ultra-fast flash charging, capable of replenishing the battery from 10% to 97% in roughly nine minutes under ideal conditions.

So while the Chopard Edition is undeniably about beauty and exclusivity, it is backed by serious electric performance — quiet, smooth, and immensely quick.

The €700,000 sale is significant not only because of the amount, but because it signals a shift. Chinese automotive brands are no longer competing only on price or range. Through design collaborations, global premieres (including Denza's European launch at the Palais Garnier in Paris), and high-profile charity appearances like this one, they are stepping onto the same stage as long-established luxury marques.

For Chopard, the project continues its tradition of supporting the arts, cinema, and charitable causes through the Cannes Film Festival partnership. For Denza and BYD, it marks a bold statement: Chinese luxury EVs have arrived on the world stage — and they belong there.

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