New Chinese SUV has alternative method to airbags when it senses a collision coming and it will change your perception
Published on Mar 01, 2026 at 4:04 PM (UTC+4)
by Molly Davidson
Last updated on Feb 26, 2026 at 9:36 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Emma Matthews
A new Chinese SUV uses an alternative method to airbags when it senses a collision coming.
Instead of waiting for impact and firing off protection after the fact, it physically changes its shape.
A viral clip shows the body of the SUV lifting in real time as another car drifts dangerously close.
And once you see it happen, normal crash safety suddenly feels… a bit basic.
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The Zeekr 9X’s alternative method to airbags
In the clip shared by @Rainmaker1973 on X, the Zeekr 9X is cruising along a highway when another car edges into its lane, setting up what looks like a T-bone crash.
But before impact, the SUV reacts.
In less than a second – around 200-700 milliseconds – the side facing the danger lifts up by about 80mm.
You can see the whole body rise.
Why?
Because the strongest parts of the car aren’t the doors – they’re the thick beams and reinforced sections underneath.
By lifting itself, the Zeekr is basically trying to make sure the other car hits the tough bits, not the squishy bits.
The system behind this is called ‘side impact chassis active lift.’
It sounds complicated, but here’s the simple version: the car is packed with sensors.
Cameras, radars, and LiDAR constantly scan everything around it. If the system decides a side crash can’t be avoided, it tells the suspension to pump up on one side.
At the same time, a stabilizer bar kicks in with over 1,000lb-ft of torque to help shove the body upward.
Zeekr says this can reduce side intrusion by up to 27 percent.
Airbags still work like normal.
But instead of only reacting after the hit, the car tries to brace itself first.
It’s like flinching before someone throws a punch.
The Chinese luxury electric SUV Zeekr 9X uses LiDAR, cameras, and sensors to detect side collisions and lifts its chassis instantly to protect passengers.pic.twitter.com/W1suYMNijW
— Massimo (@Rainmaker1973) February 20, 2026
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It’s not just a trick – the whole SUV is built around big tech
And the 9X isn’t some small, experimental car either – it’s a massive 17-foot-long (5.2meter) luxury SUV with a price tag of roughly $65,000-$80,000.
And it packs serious power.
The plug-in hybrid system makes up to 1030kW – that’s over 1,400hp equivalent – and it can hit 60mph in just 3.1 seconds.
So yes, it can move very fast.
And apparently, very cleverly.
Inside, it’s all screens, massaging seats, and a massive Naim sound system.
It even uses dual NVIDIA chips to handle advanced driving tech, aiming for Level 3-ready autonomy in certain situations.
But honestly, the most outrageous part isn’t the horsepower or the luxury.
It’s the fact that this SUV doesn’t just wait for a crash and hope for the best.
With this alternative method to airbags, the Zeekr 9X tries to get ready before it even happens.
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With roles at TEXT Journal, Bowen Street Press, Onya Magazine, and Swine Magazine on her CV, Molly joined Supercar Blondie in June 2025 as a Junior Content Writer. Having experience across copyediting, proofreading, reference checking, and production, she brings accuracy, clarity, and audience focus to her stories spanning automotive, tech, and lifestyle news.
