I think at this point, you don’t want Chinese automakers to go after your segment. When Chinese automakers entered the EV market, they completely took over. Nobody could keep up with the technology for the price. Then, Chinese automakers decided to make hybrids and became the best-seller in Europe. Then, Chinese automakers pushed luxury electric sports cars.
It seemed like they were largely focused on simple commuters and SUVs. However, BYD has now revealed an off-roading vehicle. And now, it’s off-road brands’ turn to be terrified.
Three wheels? No problem
Right now, the off-roading segment has been a bit complacent. Most of the electric EVs we’ve discussed these past few months have been sort of underwhelming. I’d barely even consider them all that capable unless you’re just driving on a dirt road. The issue is largely the battery: not only is the range limited when you’re heading away from civilization, but it’s not very well protected from rocks and other obstacles.
However, BYD has revealed the Denza B8 (Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8) Flash Charge Edition, featuring a “three-wheel driving” function that lifts one wheel off the ground. There was a recent demonstration showing off the SUV lifting one wheel off the ground while continuing to drive forward. This suspension system has been used on other Chinese models in the past, showing that China has been working on this tech.
The suspension technology for the Denza B8 is called “DiSus-P Ultra.” This suspension adds wheel-lift recovery, wheel-lift tire replacement, and three-wheel driving. In tire replacement mode, the suspension raises one wheel at a time, removing the need for a jack. It can also get the SUV out of deep sand, another part of the demonstration. The suspension system has a lifting force of 9 tons and a speed limit of 9 miles per hour. It’s for emergency situations or crossing challenging obstacles, which the Denza B8 showcased by driving over an uneven bridge without letting the chassis hit the surface.
While each Chinese automaker has its own suspension technology, they are clearly well beyond what we have in America. Li Auto and Aito use a fully active hydraulic suspension, BYD’s Yangwang U7 uses the electromagnetic DiSus-Z system… And in America, we can’t even lift one wheel at all. Even worse, the Denza B8 Flash Charge Edition is just $61,600. Can you imagine how much this kind of off-roading SUV would cost if an American automaker implemented three-wheel driving? I think you’d be reaching six figures. And when Americans can’t even afford the current average, $50,000, I don’t think there is any point in automakers adding this suspension at all.
This means China has just achieved yet another unbeatable thing in yet another segment. And it can seem like all hype and flash at first, but I think this is actually alarming for other off-roading brands, especially the electric ones. They advertise themselves as off-roaders, but they are often pretty much just good for the weekend drive up to the campground, not anything that crazy beyond that. Even the new Rivian R2, which, in my opinion, looks cool, is not a true off-roader. But it’s advertised as a vehicle for quirky, young backpackers.
And Americans have to just accept it. What else could they do? It’s not like there are other options. Well, unless Trump lets Chinese EVs in. Then, domestic automakers have to step it up or risk being cast aside by the Denza B8.
