Chinese Supercar That Leaps Over Obstacles: A Revolutionary Design

A Showcase of Technology

The Chinese automaker BYD aims to showcase its technological prowess. While not well-known in Europe, BYD originally started as a company manufacturing batteries for cell phones before venturing into the automotive industry in the early 2000s. The company quickly shifted its focus to electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Today, it stands as one of the global leaders in the electric vehicle market, even competing with Tesla in terms of sales volume.

Despite its strong market presence in China, Latin America, Asia, and Africa, BYD remains relatively unknown in Europe despite its commercial success. We recently tested its latest compact SUV: the BYD Atto 2.

DiSus-X: Defying Gravity with Suspension

To demonstrate the capabilities of its new supercar’s suspension, BYD released a stunning video.

In the video, the Yangwang U9 is seen literally jumping over obstacles, such as road potholes or nails. This suspension also features the ability to move vertically to “dance”, pivot on three wheels, or adjust in the event of a flat tire.

The video is also driverless, showcasing BYD’s autonomous driving technology. While the jumping feature is spectacular, it is primarily highlighted as a marketing tool. BYD notes that this function is not permitted under real driving conditions. Too bad, I was already imagining driving like in Speed Racer.

BYD: A Leader in Technology

BYD is focused on building a strong brand image. For this purpose, the manufacturer continues to release impressive videos. For instance, they took their Yangwang U9 to the Nürburgring’s North Loop to demonstrate that it can hold its own against Porsche and Ferrari.

The car’s technical specifications are outstanding: it features four electric motors that deliver over 1200 horsepower, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.36 seconds, reaches a top speed of over 390 km/h, and completed an unofficial lap of the Nürburgring in less than 7 minutes 20 seconds.

Moreover, in terms of pricing, it is very competitive. With a price tag of 1.68 million yuan (~$230,000), the Yangwang U9 is far less expensive than a Rimac Nevera ($2 million) or a Pininfarina Battista (over $2.5 million), its current competitors in the electric supercar market.

With the Yangwang U9, BYD has likely created its “Halo car,” a dream vehicle designed to foster a strong brand image. In the past, cars like the Honda NSX, Audi R8, and Nissan GT-R have played this role.

So, are you ready to get your hands on a BYD?