Why do Kung Fu on the roof of a 1,300-horsepower electric BYD?
This page is translated from the original post "Pourquoi faire du Kung Fu sur le toit d’une BYD électrique de 1 300 chevaux ?" in French.
- 28/03/2025 18:08
The automotive world has radically changed over the decades, but it never ceases to surprise us!
In the 1980s, advertisements boldly highlighted car speed, symbolizing power and freedom. But with changing mentalities and the introduction of stricter speed limits, the focus shifted to acceleration, demonstrating performance accessible to all. Then, luxury took center stage, with vehicles transformed into rolling cocoons for a clientele seeking prestige. Afterwards, manufacturers focused on low prices (our favorite selling point) to attract budget-conscious consumers. Today, a new era is opening: that of safety, a crucial issue to meet the expectations of modern drivers. And what better way to embody this priority than with a revolutionary suspension system?
Still, the challenge is to find a way to showcase these invisible devices, and some demonstrations are quite surprising, even amusing. This is the case with BYD, which, to promote its new high-end electric sedan Yangwang U7, chose an unusually theatrical staging. In a video posted on Weibo, the Chinese X, the 1,300-horsepower car runs over a series of speed bumps at 15 km/h while a Kung Fu master, perched on the roof, tries to keep his balance on one leg. A spectacular demonstration? Maybe. Relevant? Not really. After all, we are living inside a car’s cabin, not on its roof!
However, this staging illustrates a real technical challenge. With its imposing dimensions and prodigious power, the Yangwang U7 weighs nearly 3 tons. Such a behemoth cannot rely solely on simple springs for comfort and safety on the road. BYD has thus invested millions in developing active suspension systems like Disus-Z, which adjusts settings in real-time based on road conditions.
Nevertheless, one might question the usefulness of such technical feats for a vehicle intended for daily use. The arguments of stability and comfort, though essential, could be more convincing if demonstrated in real-world situations, such as highway or city driving, rather than circus-like acrobatics.
The Yangwang U7, with its four electric motors providing 1,300 horsepower and a range of 720 km for less than 100,000 euros. These figures are already impressive enough without needing to add antics… but kudos nonetheless to the martial arts expert who performed this remarkable feat.
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