After excelling in range and charging capabilities, Chinese EV brands showcase three-wheel driving features in their SUVs.
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers have dedicated years to excelling in aspects like range, charging speed, and display technology. Now, the competition has taken an unusual turn, with premium SUVs highlighting three-wheel driving as the next frontier.
As reported by Car News China, models such as BYD’s Denza B8 Flash Charge Edition, the Huawei-supported Aito M9, and the Li Auto L9 are being showcased to demonstrate how active suspension can raise a wheel while the vehicle continues to move at low speeds. The demonstrations appear quite dramatic, while their actual applications are practical, including tire changes, off-road recovery, and navigating uneven surfaces without becoming stuck.
The larger implication is hard to overlook. The competition among China’s EV SUVs is transitioning from conventional electric performance claims to tangible hardware features that drivers can quickly comprehend. Claims about driving range may seem abstract, but the sight of a large SUV calmly moving with one wheel elevated is immediate and impactful.
Reasons for SUVs Raising Wheels
The Denza B8 Flash Charge Edition offers the clearest indication of the direction this feature is taking. BYD has demonstrated the SUV lifting one wheel completely off the ground while continuing to drive with the other three, utilizing its DiSus-P Ultra suspension system.
This system enables wheel lifting, tire replacement, and three-wheel operation. In tire-change mode, the SUV can elevate one corner without needing a traditional jack, leaving the tire suspended. BYD claims the lift can be completed in less than a minute, and the demonstration showed a tire change completed in 1 minute and 56 seconds.
This feature is designed for low-speed emergencies and challenging terrain. Its 15 km/h limit keeps it from being used on highways, and it is not a replacement for serious off-road equipment.
Evolution of the Stunt into Practicality
Both Aito and Li Auto have contributed to the trend, showcasing that it is not limited to a single brand. The Aito M9 has utilized Huawei’s Tuling platform to operate with one wheel removed, while Li Auto has illustrated the L9 operating with a lifted wheel, continuing to drive on three.
In China's competitive premium EV market, a suspension demonstration can be more effective in capturing interest than another claim regarding software, battery technology, or cabin features. Active suspension provides these brands with a tangible attribute to market, rather than just another figure on a specification sheet.
A rarely utilized feature can still influence consumer perceptions when it demonstrates that sensors, control systems, and active chassis technology are cohesively functioning in a way that buyers can observe.
What Consumers Should Watch for Next
This feature is unlikely to be integrated into everyday driving due to its slow speed, situational nature, and reliance on expensive suspension components that are primarily suited for premium SUVs.
Nonetheless, it indicates the direction Chinese EV brands are taking after establishing their capability in battery range and charging speed. They are seeking to make practical abilities visible and tangible, which helps distinguish models that might otherwise start to blend together.
The key question is whether brands can transform the demonstration into dependable recovery tools, clearer safety boundaries, and practical features for owners. The ultimate winner will not simply be the SUV that appears the most impressive on video, but rather the one that provides utility in real-life scenarios when challenges arise.
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After excelling in range and charging capabilities, Chinese EV brands showcase three-wheel driving features in their SUVs.
Chinese electric vehicle brands are making active suspension their next highlight for SUVs, with BYD, Aito, and Li Auto showcasing three-wheel driving demonstrations that may assist with tire changes, recovery, and traversing rough terrain.
