Similarly to Volvo’s ‘Epic Split’ with Jean-Claude Van Damme, BYD has shown the stability of its new Yangwang U7 sedan by having it cross a road strewn with speed bumps while a martial art master balances on its roof!
Videos showcasing the technology employed in Chinese vehicles have become fairly commonplace over the past few years. Not so long ago, the Huawei and JAC collaboration dubbed Maextro S800 was pitted directly against the pinnacle that is the Maybach S680 to demonstrate just how much better their stability and comfort technology is when compared to the German. Now, BYD subsidiary Yangwang has done something similar, albeit less controversially against a rival, instead with the help of a martial artist…
Related: Huawei’s Maextro S800 Takes on Maybach S680 in Luxury Showdown with Controversial Twist
The Yangwang brand was founded as BYD’s premium division similar to what Lexus is to Toyota. A testbed and demonstrator of its most advanced technology, Yangwang has impressed with the capabilities of the U8 SUV which can float on water. Following this was the U9 supercar, known for its dynamic “dancing” suspension which could bunny hop over potholes. Now, the U7 aims to make its mark as a luxury electric sedan. Measuring nearly 5.3 metres in length, the four-door, five-seater U7 is designed for premium and high-performance motoring. It features a quad-motor setup producing a combined 956 kW and 1 584 N.m of torque. Power comes from a 135.5 kWh battery, delivering an estimated range of 720 km on China’s CLTC cycle.
Related: BYD Aims to Reduce EV Charging Times with New Super e-Platform
The highlight of BYD’s recent stunt is the car’s advanced Disus-Z suspension system. In the demonstration, the U7 drives at 15 km/h over speed bumps ranging from 30 mm to 50 mm in height. Despite the uneven terrain, the Wing Chun (a concept-based martial art) master maintains his balance as the suspension works to keep the car steady.
Thanks to its four independent electric motors, the U7 can precisely control each wheel’s movement. BYD claims the Disus-Z system detects road conditions in real time and adjusts the suspension accordingly. “As steady as a mountain,” the company states in the video.
Beyond its suspension capabilities, the U7 boasts an 800V architecture with a maximum charging power of 500 kW. This allows the battery to gain 300 km of range in just 10 minutes. While this version is fully electric, BYD has also confirmed that a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) variant is in the works. With its mix of extreme power, cutting-edge suspension, and rapid charging, the Yangwang U7 looks to carve out its place in the premium EV market—albeit with some unconventional marketing tactics.
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