Footage that appears to show a BYD driver using their SUV’s advanced hydraulic suspension to get around being trapped by a wheel clamp is circulating on social media in China. The video seems to show the Fang Cheng Bao Bao 8 – known as the Denza B8 outside its home market – driving away with the clamped wheel raised in the air.

The SUV’s front left wheel has a red and yellow metal clamp attached to it in the clip, which was reportedly taken in Jinshan Town, about 640km south of Beijing. However, that can’t stop it from pulling out into traffic with the hazard lights on as bemused motorcyclists take in the bizarre scene, which was first reported by CarNews China.

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In May this year, BYD demonstrated its DiSus-P Ultra suspension system, which can keep vehicles moving with one wheel off the ground. Fitted to the Bao Bao 8 Flash Charge Edition for the demo, the DiSus-P unit has three key functions: wheel-lift tyre replacement, wheel-lift recovery and three-wheel driving.

The first of those modes sees the car raise individual wheels to remove the need for a jack when you’re changing a flat. With the ability to support up to nine tons of lifting force, the system can also help free a vehicle that has one tyre stuck in mud, sand or the like for wheel-lift recovery.

Three-wheel driving mode, which appears to be what the clamped motorist used to make their escape, is limited to 15km/h and is designed for emergencies and traversing obstacles. During the demo, it was used to help the Bao Bao 8 cross uneven structures.

Aito also debuted similar tech at around the same time as BYD, with videos on Chinese social media showing the SUV lifting a front wheel during low-speed driving. Li Auto also supports single-wheel lifting on its L9 Livis luxury six-seater SUV.

With that top speed of 15km/h, the wheel-clamped driver would struggle to outrun a fit police officer on foot, let alone get away from a cop car. So while the Denza B8 (pictured above)and its trick DiSus-P system is available down under from $91,000 plus on-roads, we don’t recommend that anyone tries this manoeuvre.