A Driverless Car with a "Leaping Function"

The Chinese auto company BYD shows off their Yangwang U9 model, an electric supercar with four motors, fast charging, a top speed of 243 mph, and individual wheel drive system. It also doesn't need a driver. Yes, it's a good-looking car, but the point of this video is to show us the Yangwang U9's ability to leap. Watch carefully, and you'll see the wheels retract into the body like a low rider, and then suddenly extend while at speed to leap over obstacles or holes in the road.

That's pretty cool, both to watch and as a technological innovation. It's like Mario Kart come to life. But the Yangwang U9 costs around $233,000, and you can't buy one if you live in the United States. Still, if you could spend that kind of money on a car, would you sit in the passenger seat and let it drive you around? Would you take it to top speed on roads that have potholes? Meanwhile, Ferrari and Lamborghini are working on electric models, if that's what you've been looking for. -via kottke