The Car That Goes 'Yipee' and Jumps Over Potholes
A viral video of a Chinese supercar hopping over obstacles on a public highway has captured the world's imagination. The BYD Yangwang U9 is not a meme machine; it is a genuine engineering marvel.
A BYD Yangwang U9 supercar captured mid-air as it jumps over a pothole on a public highway
The Car That Goes 'Yipee' and Jumps Over Potholes
A new viral clip out of China is making car enthusiasts do a double take. The video shows a BYD Yangwang U9 Xtreme cruising down what looks like a public highway before the entire car suddenly hops off the pavement, all four wheels airborne, then rockets away as if nothing happened.
Social media is in a frenzy. One commenter joked the car "said yipee and took off," while another simply asked, "Am I high or did the car just jump?"
The video has been viewed millions of times across multiple platforms. And while the clip is undeniably entertaining, the technology behind it is genuinely groundbreaking.
"It is the kind of feature that makes you wonder what a suspension engineer's whiteboard looks like, because someone clearly had fun designing this." — Yahoo! Autos
How a Two-Ton Car Learnt to Hop
The party trick is powered by BYD's DiSus-X intelligent body control system. It is actually a combination of three systems working together.
- DiSus-C: Intelligent Damping Body Control
- DiSus-A: Intelligent Air Body Control
- DiSus-P: Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control
Together, these systems allow the car to do things that seem impossible for a production vehicle.
Key Specifications
Maximum Adjustable Suspension Travel
75mm
Peak Single-Axis Lifting Speed
500 mm/s
Generating over 1 ton of instantaneous lifting force
Suspension Travel Range
200mm
How the Jump Works
The car uses cameras and road-scanning technology to detect hazards like potholes, debris, or even road spikes. The system calculates the precise timing and then triggers the suspension to launch the car over the obstacle before the tires ever make contact.
The result is a two-ton supercar that can literally hop over potholes at highway speed.
Other Party Tricks
🚗 Drive on Three Wheels
In case of a flat tyre, the car can continue safely on three wheels.
💃 Dance Mode
The car can sway, rock back and forth, and even bounce at a standstill.
⚽ "Suiii" Celebration
The car can be controlled via a mobile app to perform the Cristiano Ronaldo celebration.
The World's Fastest Production Car
The U9 is not just a one-trick pony. It is also one of the fastest production cars ever made.
Standard Yangwang U9
Price
$252,630 USD
Starting price
Power
1,287 hp
1,680 Nm of torque
0-100 km/h
2.36 seconds
Top Speed
309.19 km/h
Yangwang U9 Xtreme (Limited to 30 Units)
Power
2,977 hp
2,220 kW
Top Speed
496.22 km/h
World's fastest production vehicle
Availability
30 Units
Globally limited
The Precedent
The concept of a jumping car is not entirely new. In 2004, Bose, the company best known for its high-end speakers, demonstrated an active suspension system that could do the exact same thing. The Bose system used linear electromagnetic motors powered by electric amplifiers. It could eliminate body roll during cornering and keep the car completely stable over undulations. The system, however, never made it into production.
BYD has successfully not only replicated what Bose did but also commercialized it. This evolution from concept to production is a testament to the rapid progress of Chinese engineering.
"The idea of the fastest car on the planet also being able to bunny hop over road hazards feels like something out of a video game." — Yahoo! Autos
The Global Viral Phenomenon
The U9 has captured the world's attention. It has been the subject of countless memes, reactions, and viral videos.
IShowSpeed
The famous streamer visited China and was blown away by the U9, exclaiming, "These cars in China are crazy, bruh." He bought one on the spot.
Indian Social Media
When a video of the U9 jumping over a pothole went viral, Indian users joked that the car was "tailor-made for India's bumpy, pothole-ridden roads." One user commented, "If this car is launched in India, it will be a flying car."
Australian Businessman
Nick Politis, chairman of the Sydney Roosters, has custom-ordered one of the 30 U9 Xtremes, reportedly worth close to $1 million AUD.
What This Means for the Future
The U9's DiSus-X suspension represents a significant leap forward in automotive technology.
The Future of Suspension
We are seeing the real-world application of advanced hydropneumatic systems. This technology could eventually trickle down to more affordable vehicles.
Software-Defined Cars
The DiSus system will continue to evolve via over-the-air updates, a key feature of the software-defined vehicle.
The Chinese Auto Industry
The U9 is a clear signal that Chinese automakers are not just competitive; they are innovative and capable of leading the industry in new directions.
"The idea of the fastest car on the planet also being able to bunny hop over road hazards feels like something out of a video game." — Yahoo! Autos
A Humble Reflection
The BYD Yangwang U9 is many things. It is a viral sensation. It is a marketing masterpiece. It is an engineering marvel.
But more than any of that, it is a sign of the times. The era of Chinese automakers simply copying Western designs is over. The U9 proves that they can be technological leaders, capable of developing new systems and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
The U9 is not just a car. It is a statement.
It says that the future of the automotive industry will be shaped by whoever can dream the biggest and build the boldest. And right now, BYD is doing both.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not constitute financial or investment advice. Prices, specifications, and availability are subject to change.
Drift Team
Automotive technology and EV analysts