A viral video appeared to show a BYD Denza B8 driving away with a parking boot still attached.
The catch was that the SUV moved on three wheels, with its front-left corner lifted off the pavement, Electrek reported.
That unusual scene highlighted one of BYD's most eye-catching features: a hydraulic suspension system that can raise each corner of the vehicle independently by up to 300 millimeters, or about 11.5 inches,
Here's what to know
Footage appeared to show the SUV on a public street with a yellow-and-red traffic boot still fastened to the elevated front-left wheel.
What the driver was doing was in line with functions BYD has previously showcased. The company fits the plug-in hybrid with its DiSus-P Ultra hydraulic setup. Rather than acting like a typical suspension, it can control damping and hydraulic pressure at each wheel and raise or lower each corner independently.
The automaker already demonstrated two related tricks: the SUV traveling at around 10 mph (15 km/h) on three wheels and a wheel being lifted for a tire swap without using a standard jack. The boot clip appeared to emphasize the same basic capability.
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More background
BYD has said that the Denza Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition can go up to 75 miles on electricity alone under the CLTC cycle and about 850 miles (1,380 kilometers) overall. Its powertrain combines a 46.7-kilowatt-hour battery with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine rated at 272 horsepower.
That setup can lower fuel costs when many daily trips fit within the electric range. For shoppers considering an electric vehicle, fully electric models also reduce routine maintenance because they don't need oil changes and generally have fewer moving parts than gas-powered vehicles.
The video emerged as Chinese automakers pushed chassis hardware as hard as batteries and software. BYD rated the Denza's suspension at about 9.9 tons (9.0 metric tons), which helps explain how a three-wheel move like this could theoretically work.
The purported feature seems intended for off-road flexibility, ride comfort, and emergency convenience, not to avoid parking enforcement.
A system designed to smooth rough terrain or assist with a tire change simply looks very different when a metal clamp is involved.
What can be done?
The Denza B8 pairs unusual technology with potential day-to-day savings. A plug-in SUV with 75 miles of electric range can cover many commutes on affordable battery power, and a self-lifting wheel setup could make a roadside tire change easier.
Charging an EV at home often costs half as much as using public chargers, but basic Level 1 charging tends to be slow. Qmerit provides free, instant installation estimates for faster Level 2 home charger installations.
With a battery as large as 46.7 kWh, faster home charging can make it much easier to refill overnight and take full advantage of an electric-only range, like the Denza's 75-mile CLTC rating, rather than relying on the gas engine for short trips.
Whether the video captured a genuine escape or a staged demo remained unclear — but the clip appears consistent with BYD's stated capabilities for the DiSus-P Ultra suspension.
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