BYD's luxury off-road brand Denza has dropped one of the more interesting suspension developments of the year onto its B5 and B8 plug-in hybrid four-wheel drives. The new system, called DiSus-P Ultra, can independently lift a single wheel for a jack-free tyre change and even drive the vehicle on three wheels at low speed.
The B5 and B8 are sold under the Fangchengbao brand in China and are heading toward Australian launch consideration. The top-spec B5 Leopard and the B8 range are already fitted in Australia with a hydraulically controlled adaptive damping system called DiSus-P, which offers height adjustment and ride comfort tuning. The new Ultra version is the next step up.
What the new DiSus-P Ultra actually does
DiSus-P Ultra replaces the single-valve dampers in the existing system with a dual-valve setup. Suspension travel increases from 140mm to 200mm. Stiffness adjustment moves from two-stage to three-stage, and the system now includes a road preview function that can prepare the suspension for uneven surfaces before the wheels reach them.
The single most novel capability is the ability to independently lift a single wheel. In practice, that means you can change a tyre without using a jack. The vehicle holds itself in that one-wheel-raised position for up to 24 hours, which is well beyond what any conventional air suspension system can sustain.
The three-wheel driving mode
Fangchengbao also demonstrated a three-wheel driving mode at speeds up to 15km/h. The idea is that if you lose a wheel or have a damaged tyre that cannot be repaired immediately, the vehicle can be moved to a safe location without the damaged wheel touching the ground.
This is genuinely useful in the right circumstances. If you are on a remote outback road in central Australia and you damage a tyre badly enough that even the spare cannot help, being able to limp the vehicle off the road and away from passing traffic is a real safety feature.
How this compares to existing luxury 4WD suspension
Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi all offer air or hydraulic suspension on their flagship 4WDs and SUVs. None of those systems currently offer the same combination of single-wheel lift and three-wheel driving. The closest comparison is the Mercedes-Benz E-Active Body Control system on the GLS, which can briefly bounce the vehicle to extract from soft sand but cannot hold a one-wheel-raised position or drive on three wheels.
BMW's Adaptive M Suspension and Audi's predictive air suspension also use road preview through cameras, which is the same principle Denza is now claiming for the Ultra. The difference is the Denza system pairs that preview with much greater travel and the load-bearing capability needed to drive on three wheels.
Why Denza is doing this
The straightforward reason is product differentiation. Denza is a luxury brand under BYD, positioned above the mainstream BYD line-up and competing directly with European luxury 4WDs. Suspension theatre is one of the cheapest ways to generate genuine showroom interest and YouTube views, and Denza needs both as it expands beyond China.
The deeper reason is engineering credibility. Building a hydraulic suspension system that can hold a vehicle stable on three wheels for hours requires real engineering depth on load paths, hydraulic pressure management and software calibration. Demonstrating that capability publicly is a way for Denza to tell global buyers that the brand is engineering-led rather than spec-sheet-led.
What this means for the Australian buyer
The Denza B8 has been confirmed as a strong candidate for Australian launch, with the brand using it to compete against the Toyota LandCruiser and Land Rover Defender. The B5 is the smaller, more Prado-sized sibling. If either model arrives here with DiSus-P Ultra, the segment will have to respond.
Carseekers has been tracking Denza's Australian plans through 2026. Pricing and timing have not been confirmed, but the brand has been actively studying the market and the B8 has been spotted in test programs. The Ultra suspension makes the case for a high-spec Denza variant stronger, because it gives the brand a clear point of difference at the top of the line-up.
What it does not change
For most buyers, the practical takeaway is limited. Luxury 4WD suspension systems are typically optioned only on top grades. The Australian B5 and B8, if they land, are most likely to launch with the existing DiSus-P system and add DiSus-P Ultra as an option or a flagship-grade exclusive.
If you are cross-shopping a Toyota LandCruiser, Jeep Wrangler or Ford Everest right now, this is not a reason to wait. The conventional 4WD buyer is not looking for hydraulic theatre. The buyer who is genuinely cross-shopping a Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, however, should keep the Denza on their radar.
The bigger picture
The pace of suspension innovation coming out of Chinese-brand luxury cars in 2026 has caught most legacy engineers off guard. BYD's broader Yangwang halo brand can rotate a vehicle in place. Denza is now adding three-wheel driving and jack-free tyre changes. The Xpeng X9 and Nio EL8 are demonstrating active suspension with sub-second response times.
This is the area where Chinese luxury brands are pulling ahead of the European establishment. Australian buyers will see those features arrive in mainstream models within two product cycles. The Denza announcement is one of the clearest signals of how fast that filter-down is going to happen.
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The finer details
Your questions answered.
What is DiSus-P Ultra?
DiSus-P Ultra is the new hydraulic suspension system fitted to the Denza B5 and B8 in China. It offers dual-valve dampers, 200mm of suspension travel, three-stage stiffness, a road preview function and the ability to lift a single wheel for jack-free tyre changes.
Can the Denza B8 really drive on three wheels?
Yes. Fangchengbao has demonstrated the B5 and B8 driving on three wheels at speeds up to 15km/h, allowing the vehicle to be moved to a safe location if one wheel is damaged or removed. It is intended as an emergency capability rather than a normal driving mode.
When does the Denza B8 arrive in Australia?
Denza has not confirmed a final launch date for the B8 in Australia, but the brand has been actively studying the local market and the vehicle is considered a strong launch candidate. Pricing and timing are still to be finalised.
Will the Australian Denza B5 and B8 get DiSus-P Ultra?
It is likely that DiSus-P Ultra will be offered on top-grade Australian versions if and when Denza launches the B5 and B8 locally. The current DiSus-P system is the version currently confirmed for early stock, with the Ultra version following as a flagship option.
How does the Denza B8 compare to the Land Rover Defender?
The Denza B8 is positioned as a direct rival to the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, with similar dimensions and a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The Denza is expected to undercut both rivals on price while offering a more advanced suspension system in flagship trim.
What other Denza models are coming to Australia?
Denza has signalled the B3 mid-size SUV and Z9 GT as potential Australian arrivals, with the B8 the most likely flagship for local launch. The brand positions Denza above mainstream BYD and below the Yangwang halo line, competing with European luxury 4WDs.
