SUV drives on three wheels in viral video

A video posted on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, shows a large SUV from BYD, specifically a Bao 8 model produced by Fang Cheng Bao (FCB), driving on a two-lane commercial street with its left front wheel lifted off the ground. The wheel still has a yellow and red metal block attached, designed to prevent the vehicle from moving. The incident was filmed in Jinshan, Lianyungang, and the driver reportedly raised the locked wheel to continue driving on the remaining three wheels. The video circulated widely on Chinese social media over the weekend of October 17 and 18.

Details of the SUV model

The SUV in question, known as the Bao 8 in China and sold internationally as the Denza B8, is 5.2 meters long. The Flash Charge version of this model, which includes this suspension system, has been available in China since May 13, 2026, starting at 419,800 yuan (approximately 56,000 euros). It is a plug-in hybrid with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine producing 272 horsepower, paired with two electric motors, totaling 550 kW (approximately 750 horsepower). The vehicle has a combined driving range of approximately 1,380 kilometers, nearly the distance of a round trip between Paris and Marseille.

Suspension system description

The suspension system, called DiSus-P Ultra, is a hydraulically controlled suspension launched by BYD in May for this model. It manages each wheel separately by adjusting oil pressure, allowing one corner of the vehicle to be lifted without affecting the other three. BYD claims the system can lift a single wheel up to 30 centimeters (nearly two steps) and adjust the suspension height by up to 20 centimeters. The system can lift up to 9 tons, equivalent to six mid-sized cars weighing 1.5 tons each. During a demonstration in May on an off-road test track, BYD showed how the system functions. The SUV was able to extricate itself from a deep sand trap by adjusting wheel height and also changed a tire without a jack, with the lifting process taking less than a minute and a full tire change completed in 1 minute and 56 seconds.

Additional uses and industry context

The third use of this feature, as demonstrated in the video, is to drive on three wheels to clear an obstacle without scraping the chassis or to perform emergency repairs. BYD limits this mode to a speed of 15 km/h. Aito, the brand supported by Huawei, and Li Auto have also demonstrated SUVs capable of lifting a single wheel, with Chinese manufacturers highlighting active suspension as a selling point. BYD, in particular, enjoys showcasing spectacular demonstrations, from its promise of five-minute charging on the Atto 8 to its autonomous driving capabilities tested at the Place de l'Étoile.