A Theme Park for NEVs? Inside BYD's All-Terrain Circuit in Zhengzhou

Hey guys, I'm here today at BYD's NEV-dedicated all-terrain circuit in Zhengzhou city. Honestly, the weather isn't on our side—it's a gray, rainy day, and the whole track is soaked. But actually, that just makes me even more excited to see how today's test goes—especially when we get the chance to experience the YANGWANG U9 on this wet surface.

The first stop was inside the showroom, where the staff showed us the YANGWANG U9's famous "dancing" feature. Now, I've seen this plenty of times before at auto shows and online, so I didn't expect to feel anything new. But watching it up close, right next to the car, is a whole different story.

The body moves precisely to the rhythm of the music—smooth, sharp, no lag at all. Behind that performance is the DiSus-X intelligent active body control system. In theory, it can manage the car's posture in three dimensions—longitudinal, lateral, and vertical—which is what makes this kind of "dance" even possible.

But what really surprised me came next: sitting inside for the jump test. You press the button, and—bang—the whole car literally hops off the ground and lands back down.

Alright, now we've moved to the outdoor section. And honestly, I'm really curious—this place calls itself an "all-terrain" circuit… but is it really, or just a marketing gimmick?

The first challenge is no joke. This is the Guinness World Record–certified highest and largest dune climbing facility for car testing. On paper, the numbers are impressive: 29.6 meters high, a 28-degree incline, built with 6,200 tonnes of sand. Watching the YANGWANG U8 charge up that slope, the biggest takeaway is how the electric motors deliver torque in sand mode—smooth and consistent, without that straining, screaming sound you usually get from a gas-powered SUV.

And the cool part? You don't need to trek into the desert for that adrenaline rush. Just hit the Sand Mode in the cabin, and boom—you've got your dune-climbing thrill right here.

But the first wildest part of the whole day? Floating on water. I've seen online the YANGWANG U8 do this plenty of times, but this was the first time I was actually inside the car, going into a 70-meter-long water pool.

As the vehicle eased into the water, you could feel the buoyancy gradually lifting it up. Looking out the window, the waterline was just below eye level—giving you this surreal perspective. And once afloat, the car could actually move forward and even steer, all while staying super stable.

Then, when the car climbed back out of the pool and I opened the door, water came streaming out of the door sills and off the chassis. That's when it really hit me: did I just ride a car through water deep enough to float it? That's insane.

Whether or not you think this feature has much real-world practicality, I've got to say—showcasing core technology in such a bold, almost theatrical way is a brilliant move. It's dramatic, it's unforgettable, and as a piece of marketing? Incredibly effective.

Now, the off-road section is set up almost like a giant "road condition exam bank." There are 27 off-road scenarios, ranging from simple washboard tracks to tough cross-axle obstacles—all designed to simulate the kinds of tricky situations owners might actually run into.

Here, the BAO 8 isn't about flashy moves—it's about problem-solving. For example, on the cross-axle, when one wheel lifts off the ground, the system instantly locks and redistributes power. The way it hooks up again feels solid and reassuring.

Photo credit: BYD

Alright, time for the real highlight: a ride in the YANGWANG U9. Sitting in the passenger seat, the straight-line acceleration is just insane—the kind of brutal thrust only an all-electric supercar can deliver. But today the track is wet and slippery, so top speed isn't the focus. Stability is the real test.

Heading into corners, there's that natural moment of tension—you expect some slide or drama. But the car's posture stays remarkably stable. No sudden loss of grip, no awkward corrections. That's the power of the e⁴ platform: four motors, one for each wheel, with independent torque control.

What that means in practice is that whether you're accelerating, braking, or cornering, the U9 can instantly fine-tune torque at each wheel. Every adjustment is sharp and precise, making full use of whatever grip the road surface still has. And the result? A supercar that feels planted, confident, and razor-sharp—even on a soaked track.

But this circuit isn't just about going wild—it's also got a "smart" side. In the multifunction zone, I hopped into the DENZA Z9 GT to try out the e3 Platform technology. The most eye-catching demo was the "compass turn." Here's how it works: the front-left wheel locks in place and becomes the pivot point, while the other three wheels drive the car around it for a super-tight, stable U-turn.

Then there were features like emergency obstacle avoidance and extreme-angle steering. Each one was seriously fun to try out. After going through them, what really impressed me was how seamlessly the three motors worked together—it showed off a whole new level of agility and intelligence in handling.

And then came the smart parking demo. You just pick a garage slot on the in-car system, and the vehicle takes care of everything. It backs in with pinpoint precision, and the whole process feels buttery smooth.

Oh, and get this—the parking system even offers three speed modes: cautious and comfy, a mid-speed standard mode, and a pretty aggressive fast mode. In that one, it can park itself at up to 5 km/h. So you can choose whatever fits the situation best.

So after this whole day, my feelings are… honestly a bit mixed. Compared with a traditional racetrack that's all about driving performance, this place feels more like a giant theme park. But at its core, the real value is in the way it lets you experience these technologies. Things that once felt way out of reach—like floating on water, desert dune climbs, or ultra-smart handling—suddenly become tangible. You can see them, feel them, even play with them.

So now I've got to ask: if you came here, which feature would you want to try out first? Drop it in the comments.