Remember the Yangwang U9? Yes, the same 1,287-horsepower electric hypercar from China that grabbed headlines a few months ago for its bunny hops and stationary spins.

In a newly released video, BYD’s hypercar, the Yangwang U9, showcases its ability to autonomously navigate and jump over various obstacles, including road spikes, reminiscent of gameplay from Moon Patrol.
Priced at $236,000, the electric hypercar is sold in China under BYD’s premium Yangwang brand. Previously, it gained attention for driving on three wheels and performing a “dance” using its advanced Disus X active suspension system.
In the latest video shared by CarNewsChina, the Yangwang U9 takes its performance to the next level, demonstrating another jaw-dropping feat: jumping over obstacles while driving autonomously, as if equipped with a cheat code.
The video shows the U9 tackling a straight course with three challenges. Interior footage reveals empty front seats, confirming the car is operating entirely on its own.
The first challenge is an 8-ft (2.5-m) wide, water-filled pothole. Traveling at 74.5 mph (120 km/h), the U9’s suspension system compresses to lower the car before launching its 5,500-pound (2,500-kg) frame into the air. It clears the ditch effortlessly, covering over 20 ft (6 m) in flight.
Next, the car encounters a 13-ft (4-m) stretch of metal spikes – the kind used by police to stop vehicles during high-speed chases. This is immediately followed by a patch of brightly colored chalk stripes. Remarkably, the U9 clears both obstacles seamlessly, without slowing down or requiring driver input.

This feat is made possible by Yangwang’s Intelligent Damping Body Control and Intelligent Hydraulic Body Control, which provide the U9 with extraordinary stability and handling. These systems also offer practical benefits, such as reducing squat during acceleration, dive during braking, and roll during sharp cornering. Additionally, they allow the car to lower for better aerodynamics on highways or raise for easier clearance over speed bumps and driveways.
Powering the Yangwang U9 are four electric motors producing an astonishing 1,287 horsepower and 1,239 lb-ft (1,680 Nm) of peak torque. The car accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (97 km/h) in just 2.36 seconds and completes the quarter-mile in 9.78 seconds at around 140 mph (225 km/h). It boasts a top speed of 243.54 mph (391.94 km/h), recorded at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Speaking of the Nordschleife, the U9 achieved an impressive 7:17.9 lap time in November 2024, outpacing the Nissan GTR and Porsche GT2/GT3 models, though it remains unlisted on the official leaderboard as the car is not yet available in Europe.
Beyond its track prowess, the Yangwang U9 also has the unique ability to float on water, joining its sibling, the U8 SUV, in offering amphibious capabilities.
While the U9’s obstacle-hopping abilities are undeniably impressive, it remains unclear whether this feature will be accessible to drivers or is intended purely for marketing. After all, a $236,000 hypercar with a jump function seems wasted if it only performs tricks when no one’s behind the wheel.