TL;DR
- Cars with active suspension can increase the ground clearance for off-roading or rough terrains at the press of a button.
- The Yangwang U9 supercar uses BYD’s advanced DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, which takes the active suspension concept to the next level.
- The car features four independent electric motors that collectively produce 1,300 horsepower.
Gone are the days when cars could drive themselves and jump over obstacles in movies, as the Chinese manufacturer BYD has turned such fictional movie scenes into reality. BYD’s Yangwang U9, an electric supercar, is capable of jumping over potholes and spikes on the road (as seen in the latest promotional video), besides being super powerful and sleek. Let’s talk about the innovation that goes behind making a car jump at higher speeds and bringing it back safely to the ground (we hope it does).
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Passive Vs. Active Suspension: What’s The Difference?
Before we begin explaining the tech on the BYD Yangwang U9, it’s important to understand the difference between passive and active suspension. Most of the mass-market cars ship with a passive suspension set, which relies on mechanical components like springs and dampers to absorb any vibrations or shocks. Here, the stiffness and damping force are usually fixed, offering a balance between ride quality and handling.
However, the more expensive or luxurious cars out there feature active suspensions. Instead of relying on mechanical components, active suspensions use sensors, actuators, and electronics to adjust the suspension setup according to the driving conditions. For instance, cars with active suspension can increase the ground clearance for off-roading or rough terrains at the press of a button. Moreover, this suspension type provides better ride quality and handling as it adapts to the driver’s preferences.
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The BYD Wangyang U9 Uses Advanced Active Suspensions To Lift Off The Ground
Now that you’re clear about the difference between passive and active suspensions, guess which type of suspensions are used on the BYD Yangwang U9. If your answer is active suspensions, you’re right. In fact, the electric supercar uses BYD’s advanced DiSus-X Intelligent Body Control System, which takes the active suspension concept to the next level.
It features advanced damping and hydraulic body control, which adjusts the damping force of the shock absorbers and controls the vehicle’s height (and, in turn, the body roll that passengers experience on turns). While these are some exceptional abilities, the suspension system can generate enough vertical force to lift off all four wheels of the car from the road or, in other words, jump and land a few meters ahead (depending on the speed).
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Does The Technology Have Enough Real-World Applications?
While the technology might initially seem gimmicky, it might have some real-world applications, such as avoiding potholes or other smaller objects on the road. To showcase the technology, the company has created a video that’s going viral on the internet. Interestingly, the video shows the car driving itself, without a driver, and jumping over a relatively large pothole, bed of spikes, and what looked like speed bumps.
However, what we’re concerned about is whether the car can do that with passengers and, more importantly, how well it can manage the impact of landing back on the road. What if the pothole is a bit too long, or there’s another pothole where the car is supposed to touch back? While all these questions remained unanswered at the moment, it is commendable to see such sophisticated technology at work in an electric vehicle.
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BYD Yangwang U9: Price And Key Specs
Talking a bit about the BYD Yangwang U9, it is available in China for 1.68 million Chinese Yuans, or about Rs. 2 crore. Besides the advanced suspension system, the car features four independent electric motors that collectively produce 1,300 horsepower. Further, the car is capable of reaching speeds of 100 km/h from zero in 2.36 seconds. Imagine the g-force the driver and passenger will feel while pushing the throttle!
The BYD Yangwang U9 features an 80 kWh BYD Blade battery, which can provide a range of up to 450 km (CLTC). Further, it can charge from 30 to 80% in just 10 minutes. In the cabin, BYD uses upmarket materials and trendy features like a passenger infotainment screen, adjustable ambient lighting, adaptive cruise control, 360-degree cameras, and more. While the vehicle isn’t available outside of China, it sure pushes the boundaries of what cars can do.
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